[dropcap]O[/dropcap]ver a thousand attendees of International Fly Tackle Dealer (ICAST / IFTD Show in Orlando) voted for their favorite new products for 2014. Over 28 categories were represented, from fly rods and waders to books and DVDs. The voting occurs in a secure space separate from the manufacturers, and the results are calculated by code, thus the winners are kept as a surprise until the very end…even from those tabulating the results.
American Fly Fishing Trade Association board chair Tucker Ladd announced the winners at the annual “Party at the Pond” event at the end of the day on Thursday, July 17. Sage Fly Fishing and Simms Fishing Products were the big winners, with Simms racking up seven categories (men’s waders, women’s waders, men’s outerwear, women’s outerwear, men’s general apparel, women’s general apparel and wading boots), and Sage will travel home with best fly rod for freshwater and saltwater as well as best of show award for the Salt 890-4 rod.
Angling Trade will review each of the 28 products in the coming weeks. Detailed reviews of the following winning products:
Men’s Waders: Simms Fishing Products: Freestone Z
Women’s Waders: Simms Fishing Products: Women’s Freestone
Eyewear: Flex Spex
Chest Pack/Vest: Fishpond: Delta Sling
Men’s Outerwear: Simms Fishing Products: G4 Pro Jacket
Women’s Outerwear: Simms Fishing Products: Women’s Guide Jacket
Youth Product: Vedavoo: Little Bugger
Eco-Friendly Product: Fishpond: Roll Top Backpack
Fly Rod – Freshwater: Sage Fly Fishing: Accel 590-4
Fly Rod – Saltwater: Sage Fly Fishing: Salt 890-4
Reel – Freshwater: Nautilus Reels: Silver King Silver
Reel – Saltwater: Nautilus Reels: Silver King Black
Boat/Personal Watercraft: Outcast Sporting Gear: OSG Approach
Fly Line – Freshwater: Scientific Anglers: Sharkwave Siege
Fly Line – Saltwater: RIO Products: Permit Fly Line
Fly Box/Storage System: Tacky Fly Fishing: Fly Box
Fly Tying Materials/Equipment: Fly Men Fishing Company: Fish Skull Fly Tester
Fly Pattern – Freshwater: Angler Sport Group: J. Son Match and Catch
Fly Pattern – Saltwater: Umpqua Feather Merchants: Hudspeth’s Huds
Accessory: Abel: Zinger
Men’s General Apparel: Simms Fishing Products: Confluence Reversible
Women’s General Apparel: Simms Fishing Products: Women’s Solar Flex
DVD: Confluence Films: Waypoints
Book: Angler’s Book Supply Co: All Fisherman Are Liars
Gift Item: Superfly International: Superfly Combo
Luggage: Fishpond: Westwater Large
Wading Boots: Simms Fishing Products: River Tex
