The fly-fishing industry voted on the best new products for 2016
Orlando, Florida
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ore than 225 attendees of International Fly Tackle Dealer voted for their favorite new products for 2016. In total, 28 categories were represented, from fly rods and waders to books and DVDs. The voting occurred in a secure space separate from the manufacturers, and the results are calculated by code, ensuring the winners are kept a surprise until the very end.
American Fly Fishing Trade Association vice-chair Michael White announced the winners at the annual “Party at the Pond” event on Thursday, July 14, 2016. Simms Fishing Products, Sage, and RIO were the big winners, with Simms Fishing Products racking up five categories. Sage took overall Best of Show honors with the Sage X590 freshwater fly rod.
A complete listing of the winners and categories are included below:
Men’s Waders: Simms Fishing Products — Headwater Pro Waders
Women’s Waders: Hodgman — Women’s H4 Wader
Wading Boots: Simms Fishing Products — Rip Rap Shoe Felt
Men’s Outerwear: Patagonia — Minimalist Wading Jacket
Men’s General Apparel: Simms Fishing Products — Intruder BiComp L/S Shirt
Women’s Outerwear: Patagonia — Women’s River Salt Jacket
Women’s General Apparel: Simms Fishing Products — Women’s Rip Rap Sandal
Youth Product: Umpqua Feather Merchants — ZS Wader Chest Pack
Fly Rod — Freshwater: Sage — X 590
Fly Rod — Saltwater: Sage — X 890
Reel – Freshwater: Ross Reels — Colorado LT
Reel – Saltwater: Abel Reels — SDS
Accessories (under $100): Orvis Company, Inc. — U.S.-Made Aluminum Nipper
Eco-friendly Product: Fishpond — Thunderhead Duffel
Check Pack / Vest: Simms Fishing Products — G4 Pro Sling Pack
Luggage: Umpqua Feather Merchants — ZeroSweep Cooler-Gater
Boat / Personal Watercraft: Outcast Sporting Gear — Fish Cat 5 Mat
Book: Angler’s Book Supply — Fusion Fly Tying
DVD: RIO Products — Favorite Fly-Fishing Knots
Fly Box / Storage System: Tacky Fly Fishing — Tacky Dry Fly Box
Fly Line — Freshwater: RIO Products — InTouch Big Nasty
Fly Line — Saltwater: RIO Products — Winter Redfish
Fly Pattern — Freshwater: Aqua Flies, LLC — Stu Foxall’s PrawnTruder
Fly Pattern — Saltwater: Umpqua Feather Merchants — Contraband Crab, Chicone
Fly Tying Materials / Equipment: Freestone Designs — The Go Box
Gift Items (under $100): Umpqua Feather Merchants, ZS Guide Wader Belt
Leader / Tippet: Rio Products — RIO Saltwater Mono
P.O.S. / Booking Software: The Outfitter Pro — Online Booking System