[dropcap]H[/dropcap]aving just attended the 2016 Fly Fishing show in Somerset, NJ, I have had a chance to check out all the new offerings, catch up with friends, and even learn a few new tying techs. There is so much to digest in that huge room with so many talented folks and so much great gear. I spent 2 days there and still didn’t have time to get to everything. That said here are the items that caught my eye and impressed me with smart innovation, ingenuity, and quality craftsmanship. This sport is alive and well, and teeming with innovation, passion and positive energy. This is a small sample of the many, many amazing new offerings from this rapidly growing industry. If you haven’t made it to one of the shows, check one out. You’ll be glad you did.
Sage 8 weight 9′ Bolt- Think of the TCR redesigned by Sage mastermind, Jerry Siem. The bolt series is ultra fast and like the TCR, the Bolt will have legions of fans and followers. These rods are slick and fast but nothing about it says broomstick or lack of touch. these sticks are designed to push tight loops through a breez. I can imagine myself and the lightning fast Bolt stalking bones with confidence on the windy flats of Los Roques. Right now Sage is offering these in line weights 4-8. I am guessing that with a little luck we’ll see higher line weights in their offerings as well. ($650)
Sage Bolt.
Scott Fly Rods’ 8 weight, 8’4″ Meridian- This unique rod was designed for targeting snook, baby tarpon, and other mangrove dwellers. The short length (8’4″) balances light in the hand and generates fast loops. It is a little rocket, beautifully crafted in Colorado. Newly designed components and new designed fighting butt adourn this rod which is a advanced caster’s ideal tool for the mangroves. They also designed a sweet 10 weight and a 15 weight Meridian in the 8’4″ length. ($865)
Scott Meridian.
Abel Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary Reel: The 3rd and final design in Abel’s collectable Grateful Dead ® series of reels celebrates the the bands 50 year logo. This unique combination of a machined, and hand painted anodized graphic is limited to only 500 total reels, and is available in 5 sizes of Super Series reel models. Priced at $400 above the regular black anodized pricing, these collectables will go fast and very likely increase in value with time. Ask those that own the original Steel Your Face design. “There’s mosquitoes on the river, fish are rising up like birds….”
GD 50. Photo by A. L. Derr.
Umpqua Tailgater Organizer: Turn any bin into the perfect fly fishing or fly tying base camp. This thing is cool. Think of the 5 gallon bucket liners that turn a bucket into an organized tool bin. Now increase the size and tailor it to a fly fishermans needs and you have the incredibly cool, useful, and economical Umpqua Tailgater. The uses are pretty much endless. ($79.95)
Umpqua Tailgater.
Diamondback’s 5 weight, 8’6″ Clout: This striking rod is the brain child of Nate Dablock President of Diamondback Rod Co. The grip is the revolutionary component of this rod. Some will scoff at the unorthodoxed appearence while others will listen with open mind and try it out. Dablock explains, “The unique construction of the grip allows for greater accuracy and sensitivity and provides a direct connection from the hand to the blank.” He also explained that it cuts down on hand fatigue. The fingers are meant to rest between the cork knobs. It is a cool, original idea and actually felt great in my hand. Each line weight is available in fast action or medium-fast action. I tried the medium fast and it felt pretty sweet. I’d love to try it on the river for a day to see how it affects my casting and hand fatigue over time. It is exciting to see companies like Diamondback thinking way outside of the box. ($450)
Diamondback Clout.
Patagonia Rio Gallegos Zip-front Waders: The Gallegos is a world class river and Patagonia’s namesake wader represents it’s moniker with quality craftsmanship, innovation and style. Seriously, Patagonia waders have come so far since they jumped into the fly fishing game. If you are in the market for a top of the line wader with the best warranty in the business, be sure to try these out. Their “highest-performing, most durable, feature-rich waterproof/breathable waders feature TIZIP® waterproof front zipper. They have been updated with a more trim upper-body fit; new interior daisy chains for tools and drop-in pockets for organization; and more streamlined, anatomically fit booties with a poly-grid lining and gravel guards with a flat-panel construction that reduces wear.” ($599)
Patagonia Rio Gallegos Zip-front Wader.
Towee Boats Calusa Skiff: Towee boats definitely qualify as micro-skiffs, an area of the boat industry that is rapidly growing. Towee can rig their boats for either river fishing with oar locks and oars or for saltwater applications with poling platform, push pole holders, etc… These boats are super cool weighing in under 300 pounds. They are go anywhere boats and are incredibly versatile. One of their big selling points is the ability to customize the layout of your Towee and the many number of options available to each potential owner. For a skiff this size, they seem to be a super stable and solidly built fishing platform. With a 20hp outboard on the back, fuel efficiency is a no brainer. If you are in the market for a micro, make sure to check the Towee’s. (Starting at $4999)
Towee Calusa.
3-TAND TX-Series Large Arbor Hybrid Fly Reel: The guys at 3-TAND have their hearts in the game and are producing the finest reels they can conceive while trying to bring them to market at a reasonable price. I haven’t fished this particular reel yet but did manage to ogle it and handle it in Somerset. The new TX-80 is their true large arbor hybrid mix between their TF and T-Series reels. It borrows features of each of their previous reels to create a wonderful machine, with a large handle and second drag washer for excellent and smooth stopping power. I have no doubt that the quality will fall right in line with the rest of their arsenal of reels. This next logical step in the evolution of their line of reels weighs in at just 7.2 ounces for the 8-10 weight model. ($324.95)
3-TAND TX Series.
