Some fly fishers might not be familiar with the International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) trade show. To give you an idea of what it entails, all the major fly fishing companies unveil new products and show off the latest goodies for fly shop owners, buyers and the outdoor media to see. As you might imagine, when your product earns a spot on the "Best of Show" list put together by Angling Trade and MidCurrent, it creates quite a buzz in the fly world. A couple companies like Sage, Simms, Umpqua and Montana Fly Company earned multiple honors to highlight the list at this year's show that just concluded in New Orleans.
Simms Fishing Products won "Overall Best of Show" for the 2012 ProDry GORE-TEX jacket, bib and pants. The high-tech suits won the category for “Best Outerwear” and went on to receive the best in show title as well. Simms also managed to win the wading gear category with the new Freestone Stocking Foot Waders. These products are so new, most are not on the company's websites yet, so you'll have to be patient.
Sage dominated both the Salt and Fresh Fly Rod Categories with the new One Series. You can learn all about these revolutionary new rods at Sage's website. There are said to offer an amazing blend of accuracy and precision. Maybe we'll have to put them to the test.
Umpqua Feather Merchants also chimed in with two distinct "Best" awards. Umpqua hit the mark with a new fly pattern called the Texas Ringworm designed by Colorado's own Jay Zimmerman. Umpqua also packed in the Best Chest Pack/Vest Category Award for its newest creation from Rising, the Flask Pack.
Lastly, Montana Fly Company also had a good showing winning two categories as well. The company earned Best New Fly Box with its MFC Waterproof Boat Box. They also won the Gift Category for the MFC IPad Folder.
For a complete list of all awards, check out the Angling Trade article. If you like to keep up with news in the fly fishing industry or simply like ideas of where to go fishing in the Rockies to the west, click subscribe to this page and you'll receive more stories like this one as they are created. It's free, so what are you waiting for?
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