We just finished off an amazing 3 days at AFFTA’s IFTD, the annual tradeshow in Denver, CO, where brands and fishy folks from around the fly industry gather to share new products. This year’s new products aren’t to be missed, check out who and what took home the awards below!

New Product Showcase Awards

Best of Show

Scott Fly Rods, Sector Series

Imagine a rod that casts tight high line speed loops effortlessly and turns over your leader straight into the wind; a rod that delivers the fly on target with just one false cast, and can pick it back up and redirect if the fish changes course; a rod that is intuitive so you can focus on the fish instead of your cast; a rod that feels light and alive in your hand and has the touch and feel needed to make short quick shots or float the fly in quietly. All that, plus a rod handcrafted with the very best components to ever grace a fly rod – Introducing the all-new Sector Series of high performance, handcrafted fly rods from Scott.

Reel – Freshwater

Ross Reels, San Miguel

Since Ross Reels started in 1973, there has been one model that epitomizes what a Ross Reel is: the San Miguel. It defined the ultimate in class and finesse, and now, over two decades since it was first launched, the classic returns

Reel – Saltwater

Abel Reels, VAYA

VAYA: Spanish for ‘Go!’, as in go outside, go explore, go fishing! 

Crafted by avid Colorado anglers, the VAYA series debuts an all-new technical look and feel paired with outstanding performance. The partially-ported VAYA frame offers the unique combination of minimized weight, incredible rigidity, and just enough surface area to highlight Abel’s hand-anodized finishes. The frame interior also features varying sets of CNC-milled fly patterns, relevant to each size of reel.   

The large-arbor spool features a precision-balanced, dual-pawl drag engagement design that eliminates the need for a counterweight. The spool’s mechanical incoming click compliments the audible, smooth feel of the outgoing drag. The carbon / stainless multi-disk drag system produces substantial resistance, while providing a wide range of adjustability for delicate tippet.

VAYA: the new ‘go-to’ reel for everything from freshwater to light salt.

Fly Line – Freshwater

Scientific Anglers, Amplitude Infinity

The Amplitude Smooth series of lines are, simply put, the highest-performance smooth fly lines in the world. With up to five times less drag and eight times the durability of traditional lines, this will change the way you look at fly line performance.

Fly Line – Saltwater

Scientific Anglers, Amplitude Smooth Infinity Salt

The Infinity Salt is technical, versatile, accurate and simply the most advanced saltwater line available. Featuring the revolutionary AST Plus slickness additive for superior shooting ability and increased durability the Infinity Salt will handle the most rigorous of conditions year after year. The Infinity Salt is a half-line weight heavy to turn over any fly on even the windiest of days. The extended head length makes it more accurate then short shooting heads so that you can land your fly to spooky fish in the most efficient manner.

Leader/Tippet – Gear

Scientific Anglers, Absolute Trout Tippet

Absolute Tippet is made with proprietary copolymer blends that are designed to drastically reduce water absorption while maintaining an optimal suppleness for high knot strength. Absolute nylon leaders and tippets have a 29% higher wet knot strength compared to our previous material and up to 40% higher wet knot strength when compared to our competitors.

Fly Tying Materials

Hareline Dubbin, Bling Rabbit Strips™

Flashback zonker strips?! Yes, please!

Eco Friendly – Gear

Patagonia, Black Hole Gear Tote

Check out our article on Patagonia’s new Blackhole line, here!

Fly Pattern – Freshwater

Flymen Fishing Company, Micro Changer

Fly Pattern – Saltwater

Umpqua Feather Merchants, Skok Strong-Arm Crab

Fly Rod – Freshwater

Sage Fly Fishing, TROUT LL

With a delicate touch and medium action, the TROUT LL family has been designed with the trout angler and dry flies in mind. Through blank taper optimization and specialized length offerings, the TROUT LL is perfected for wade fishing, closer casts, small flies, and light tippets. A relatively supple tip maximizes light tippet protection and gives way to a smooth easy-loading mid-section that increases feel and feedback throughout the casting stroke. When the hatch is on, the TROUT LL is an angler’s best friend.

Fly Rod – Saltwater

Scott Fly Rods, Sector Series

Imagine a rod that casts tight high line speed loops effortlessly and turns over your leader straight into the wind; a rod that delivers the fly on target with just one false cast, and can pick it back up and redirect if the fish changes course; a rod that is intuitive so you can focus on the fish instead of your cast; a rod that feels light and alive in your hand and has the touch and feel needed to make short quick shots or float the fly in quietly. All that, plus a rod handcrafted with the very best components to ever grace a fly rod – Introducing the all-new Sector Series of high performance, handcrafted fly rods from Scott.

Fly Rod – 2 Handed/Spey

Sage Fly Fishing, TROUT SPEY HD

Featuring KonneticHD technology and new fast action, the TROUT SPEY HD series of rods bring ease to lightweight spey techniques. Five rods from 10’3” to 11’3” excel with a variety of spey lines that are currently offered in 175-350gr sizes. The TROUT SPEY HD rods are primarily designed for spey casting as opposed to Switch rod-style actions previously captured within Sage’s Trout Spey category, and features an action designed for Skagit and Scandi style casting techniques with trout appropriate sized flies.

Men’s – Waders

Simms Fishing Products, G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader

Our most durable wader features a new, proprietary fabric from GORE-TEX^® proven over 16,000 hours of field testing. Make the most of your time on the water: Head out in the most feature-laden, abrasion-, puncture- and tear-resistant wader made.

Men’s – Outerwear

Simms Fishing Products, G4 Pro® Jacket

Cut from advanced GORE-TEX^® Pro Shell 3-layer fabrics and kitted with ingenious fishing details throughout, the G4 Pro Jacket is our highest-performing, most durable jacket, a statement proven during hundreds of hours of field testing by professional guides in the harshest conditions

Men’s –General Apparel

Simms Fishing Products, SolarFlex UltraCool Armor

When relentless heat threatens to cut short a pleasant afternoon tossing carefree casts, arm yourself with cool comfort and keep chasing those elusive fish. The Simms SolarFlex^® Armor Shirt features hard-working COR3^™ technology, with all-day odor-fighting and moisture-wicking protection. The shirt shields against the sun’s harmful rays with a UPF 50 rating. Coolcore^® fabric chills down as it gets wet, giving you natural relief from the heat. Mesh panels on the sides and arms add breezy ventilation that will keep you feeling fresh on the water from dawn until dusk. It is finished with a full-coverage built-in gaiter for all over protection.

Men’s – Wading Boots

Simms Fishing Products, G4 Pro® Boot

The G4 Pro wading boot was engineered from the ground up to be the highest performing wading boot ever built. The perfect combination of durability and agility, the G4 Pro will provide season after season of comfortable, sure-footed wading.

Women’s – Waders

Simms Fishing Products, Women’s G3 Guide™ Z Wader

G3 Guide^™ is synonymous with guide-trusted wading performance. Women’s G3 Guide Z Waders carry on the legacy, with a breathable, stay-dry GORE-TEX^® Pro Shell design and pivotal executions like the patented TIZIP^® side-zipper that simplifies the on/off process, while answering Ma Nature’s call—once and for all. Patterning and fit are G3 Guide Z hallmarks, and whether you’re stacking on the layers or embarking on a minimalist multiday, these versatile mainstays have the mobility and all-day comfort you crave. Hardworking features include waist-anchored suspender straps for custom strap fit and easy high-waist conversion on sticky days, a plush reach-through, fleece-lined hand warmer chest pocket for when temperatures crater, and a removable flip-out Tippet Tender^™ with a retractor docking station for corralling flies, tools, and other river essentials. With everything in its place—anywhere, in any weather—Women’s G3 Guide Z is your higher-performing wader that brings it all together.

Women’s – Outerwear

Simms Fishing Products, Women’s G3 Guide™ Jacket

Women’s – General Apparel

Patagonia, Women’s Bugstopper Leggings

Accessories – Under $100

Simms Fishing Products, Pro Nipper

Accessories – Over $100

RISING, Travel Net

Gift Items – Under $100

Danforth Art, Danforth Art

Youth Product – Gear/Apparel

Fishpond, Tenderfoot Youth Vest

Entertainment/Education

Anglers Book Supply, STEELHEAD FLY TYING

Fly Box/Storage System – Gear

Fishpond, Fly Dock

Fly Hooks – Gear

Umpqua Feather Merchants, XT050 Stubby T (#10-18)

Fly Tying Vices and Tying Tools – Gear

Renzetti, Streamer Pedestal Base

Luggage (Bags, Backpacks) – Gear

Simms Fishing Products, GTS Roller Duffel – 110L

Chest-Pack/Vest – Gear

Fishpond, Flathead Sling

Boat/Personal WaterCraft – Gear

Outcast Sporting Gear, IK Angler 11

From Fishpond USA:

We are proud to announce that Tacky will now operate under the Fishpond brand. The purchase will lend Fishpond’s design and distribution capabilities to Tacky’s growing line of products and extend its legacy of innovative fly storage systems.

The acquisition fits seamlessly into Fishpond’s mission to provide uncompromising function, style, and authenticity to the fly fishing community through thoughtfully designed products. For years, Tacky has been the first-to-market with innovative silicone fly storage systems, earning 6 IFTD Best of Show awards.

As a BCorp and industry leader in environmentally responsible design, Fishpond is introducing recycled materials into the composition of the 2020 lineup of fly storage systems, as well as new colors, packaging, and a new range of sizes.

As we look to the future, the Tacky founders and team, including Tim Jenkins, Shaun Curtis, Eric Aston, and Ki Aston will continue to work with Fishpond in developing new products and exciting opportunities.

“Our companies are built on the principle of doing more for our communities, for our industry, and for the places we all cherish. We quickly realized that we could be more impactful in the most important ways if we partnered together in everything that we do,” said Tim Jenkins, President of Tacky Fly Fishing.

“Most significantly though, we are anxious to undertake the important work of being leaders not just in product design, but also in impacting the world around us through environmental awareness, charitable outreach, and helping others find joy in the sport we all love.”

Both brands have an extensive history of disrupting the industry with products and features never before seen in the market. Since each company’s inception, the singular mission has been to enhance our customer’s experience on the water. Fishpond will build on the foundation Tacky has created to provide exceptional quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility to the angler who demands nothing less.

“The heartbeat of our line of products has just been amplified with the acquisition of Tacky. With their leadership in design, we were excited to find ways to collaborate and bring our collective assets under the Fishpond organization,” said John Le Coq, Founder, and CEO of Fishpond. “We share a creative spirit and a dedication to bringing new ideas and designs to the market.”

Fishpond’s 2020 lineup will include 9 redesigned storage systems, including
the Fly Dock, Original, Original 2X, Day Pack, Day Pack 2X, Dry Fly, Catch-All, Big Bug, and Flydrophobic Fly Boxes.