From Angling Trade’s Editors / Fall Issue 2014 / Twenty + Five
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]roduct preferences are, of course, a subjective deal. What flips our switches as anglers might not flip yours, and vice versa. Honors and awards are nice, and usually hard earned, but let’s be honest… that can be a pretty loose deal also.
We’re not saying that we have all the answers, but after covering the fly-fishing business and talking to retailers and consumers for many years now, we do have some reasonably qualified hunches as to what will sell, and what will not.
Here are 20 products that we would be darn sure to have in our store next year (were Angling Trade a fly shop) and explanations as to why we feel that way
Some qualifiers/disclaimers: We did see, feel, test, handle everything on the list; there are no press release reviews here. Some of these companies are advertisers, others are not; that didn’t influence this list. This is about sales potential, not necessarily products we like to fish with (though, naturally, we’d have a hard time imagining something selling like hotcakes if we thought it sucked on the water). We limited the list to one product per company (some companies had multiple IFTD winners, but we think diversity of product offering is important). This is a list, not a ranking, so assume the numeric order has more to do with magazine layout than anything else. Lastly, if any of these things prove to be disappointments (by wearing out early and so forth) we’re going to tell you about that on anglingtrade.com.
Here goes…
Orvis Recon Rod Series
- Orvis’ new Recon rod series is a high-performing offering that’s priced at $450 retail. All rods feature a versatile action that should fit right into the wheelhouse of most anglers, regardless of skill level. What Orvis did was transpose many of the manufacturing lessons it learned in the development of Helios and Helios 2 (including secretive ferrule designs) to more affordable base materials and components. The rod (and even the tube it comes in) is entirely made in the U.S.A. For the angler looking to add a different line weight to the arsenal, it’s an easy, worthy and honest sell.
Sharkwave Siege Freshwater Fly Line
- First off, we like the fact that, since Orvis acquired Scientific Anglers, SA has been focused on making things simple for consumers to understand. It’s back to basics. And basics, for SA, is really cutting-edge line technology development. The Sharkwave Siege, which won best Freshwater Fly Line honors at IFTD, is a coming home of sorts as well, as it applies the right technologies in the right places of the line. The line is a game changer froma casting and presentation standpoint. We felt it right away. You and your customers will too. Retail $100.
Umpqua Tailgater
- Most anglers’ primary fishing “chariot” isn’t a drift boat or a raft. It’s their truck or car. Boat bags are fine, but what they really need is a bin to put wet stuff in so their vehicle doesn’t stink. This very simple, surprisingly affordable ($80) option called the Tailgater Organizer can be fastened onto any cheap plastic utility tub from Home Depot or Wal-Mart, and as such, transform that tub into something that not only holds wet waders, but also fly boxes, various tools, tippet, floatant, etc. Set one up in the store, and fill the bin with a supply to sell. It’ll empty quickly.
From the bonus list
St. Croix Spinning Travel Rods
- Does everything in your shop have to be fly? Does every rod have to be a fly rod? That’s your decision, but if you do want to cross over, you can do no better than St. Croix’s new Legend Trek spinning and casting rods. There are eight, 3-piece spinning and casting rods ranging from 7- to 7.5-feet in length, they pack down to 32-inch or less. In other words, they travel like fly rods. Retail prices range from $460 – $530.
Read more – see Angling Trade’s entire list here . . .
About AT
Angling Trade is an independent, quarterly publication that covers the business of flyfishing in North America. It is a free subscription for manufacturers, retailers outfitters and others with direct involvement with this market. Angling Trade is supported by advertisements from flyfishing manufacturers. The magazine includes features by some of the most respected fishing and business writers from throughout the country. Angling Trade is based in Boulder, Colorado.
Anglingtrade.com is the web complement to Angling Trade, featuring an open business forum, a weblog on key issues, and regular news/product updates.
