2014 IFTD/I-CAST show came and went. I would have stayed longer if they would've let me but the convention center turns the A/C off at closing time so I'll take that as a hint to "please leave!" While many seem to be ready to go I on the other hand can't seem to get enough. Catching up with old friends, meeting new friends, casting some rods and getting to touch and feel some new stuff gets me thinking about possible new toys to add to my already over-inflated collection of fishing equipment. Too many goodies to list them all here but I would like to highlight a few standouts...
Fly Rods
Winston - There is a way different vibe at the Winston booth and I like it!
Boron III TH-MS Microspey
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| Tom Larimer describes the Microspey |
Trout junkies and warm water species chasers listen up! This is not a switch rod (whatever that really is) or a scaled down steelhead rod. Nope, not at all. The Microspey is just as the name implies, it is a small trout size spey rod designed to do everything a trout anglers does. Winston ambassador and two hand expert Tom Larimer worked side by side with Winston's guru rod designer Annette McLean to create a true spey trout rod. Microspey that is! Cast dry's, swing soft hackles, strip streamers and whatever you wish to do,
do it with two hands!
Sizes 3105-4, 4110-4 and 5116-4. $830. Available Setptember-ish
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| Casting the New Winston Micro Spey |
The first time you pick this rod up you notice the lightweight feel of a trout rod. Only the lower handle indicates that this is made for two hands. While casting it feels like a trout rod with its smooth loading and finesse feel but as if instinct just clicks in you naturally want to grab it with two hands. Start out with a simple roll cast and suddenly your mind begins to dream of cascading water with hungry trout. Set up a Snap-T and feel the effortless power of sink tip and fly as it launches across the stream in position to set up the perfect swing!
Winston Nexus
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Winston Nexus 890-4 - This all-Graphite stick has life!
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While no particular order in place after the Microspey the New Winston Nexus could certainly hold its own. Winston has shown us with the Microspey to think outside the box and the Nexus backs that fact up even more so. Typically we don't use verbage of Winston and fast action rods in the same sentence but we just got it handed to us and
impressed is an understatement. There is nothing wrong with a good fast action graphite rod without all the fancy resins and new technologies. The Nexus is proof of that! The Nexus was an absolute joy to cast and the smile on my face was proof. I liked it! With the price and finish of this USA built rod it will surely put a smile on many faces. Seriously, I see one of these in my very near future. 3 thru 12 weights. $475 - $495. Expected September-ish!
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| ShortStix |
G. Loomis Pro4x SS (ShortStix)
Bass rod, Predator rod, or Mangrove rod...call it anything you want but SS doesn't stand for sissy stick. Equip this magnum with a short shooting head line like a
RIO Outbound and cast rabbits and chickens with ease. We casted the prototype of this rod back in the winter and it was so impressive we could hardy detain ourselves. The finished version is a true hunter so watch out mangrove tarpon, shallow pike, coastal stripers and lily pad bass, this magnum is headed to the proving grounds and I'm quite confident we have a winner! The ShortStix is 7'6" 3 piece and comes in four sizes, 8/9, 9/10, 10/11 and 11/12. The 10/11 and 11/12 have integrated fighting grip. $400 - $425...Coming soon!
Sage SALT
2014 IFTD Best of Show and Best Saltwater Rod Winner
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| Sage rod designer Jerry Siem talks about the new SALT |
The first like I have about this rod is the name, SALT. I like the straight forward
METHOD of how to name
ONE series of rods. Ok, I'm having fun with names but seriously too many times anglers buy rods not knowing what the rod was intended for. I do realize that fly fishing by design is not supposed to be easy but enough already with lengthy overstated sometimes foreign and unusual rod names.
Get to the point and the Sage SALT does exactly that in its name and its action. Incorporating Konnectic technology into the SALT was a given but the surprise is SALT is not just a METHOD in disguise. The SALT has its very own unique action that can load short for accurate casts but yet progressively builds power the deeper it loads for long ranging double hauls.
Sizes 590-4 to 1686-4, $850...Most sizes available now!
Notable Imports
Redington Vapen Black
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| Stealthy |
This rod caught my eye from across the aisle. While the Vapen is not a new rod (introduced at IFTD 2013) it has a new stealthy member to the family. Still available is the Vapen Red and Standard (cork handle) Vapen. Meet the new Vapen Black. The Vapen Black has a cool matte black rod blank color and a black PowerGrip Winn Grip handle. The new look of this rod is stealthy but it's not all just for show. The
Vapen rods are very lightweight fast action rods. Oh and the name (yeah it's one of the those we talked about earlier) Vapen means "weapon" in Japanese. Lifetime Warranty.
Sizes 490-4 to 1290-4, $349.95 Available Now!
Echo Glass Two Hand Spey and Switch rods
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| Glass! |
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| Echo Glass Two Hand |
Glass is a blast! Reminds me of my first rod I fished when I was a kid. It loaded all the way to the handle and seemed impossible to break. Glass has made somewhat of a comeback especially in trout rods. They are so relaxed to fish and really do certain techniques superior to graphite like roll casting. While not for everyone or every fishing situation, Glass is back and many new anglers are discovering it for the first time. Echo has taken the next step and applied Glass to Two Hand Spey and Switch Rods. The rods have a classic look, cast silky smooth and won't break your bank. Expected around January 2015.
3106-4 to 8130-4 and everything in between. $279.99 - $299-99
Reels
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| Kristin Mustad of Nautilus shows off the Silver King to Travis Duddles of Gorge Fly Shop |
Nautilus Silver King
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| Winner - Best of Show Fly Reel Saltwater |
All Big game anglers pay attention! Nautilus CCF-X2 Silver King is for you. Following the CCF-X2 design the Silver King is a 5 inch diameter 10.9 ounce fully sealed reel and it's ready for battle with all things silver whether it be Tarpon on the flats to Kings in Alaska. We knew this reel was a winner and the IFTD show awards proved it a winner with Best of Show Fly Reel Saltwater award.
Will be available sometime this fall.
Capacity WF12 w/275yds #30. Price $685
Hatch Finatic 2 Plus
The Hatch Finatic has won our respect and I am glad to say that it doesn't change, (What?). That's right I said it! This is one reel that I wish to stick around awhile longer just like it is. Isn't that the ultimate compliment! So what's the news? Hatch is adding to the Finatic with a 2 plus size. Available mid August.
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| Trout anglers dream! You now have that perfect size Hatch reel for your 2 or 3 weight. |
