best in show

Last week the IFTD (International Fly Tackle Dealer Show) show wrapped up in Denver, Colorado. The show is a business to business show where fly shops, manufacturers, reps, new companies, etc. all have the chance to meet, showcase new products, and talk business. The show had a great turnout with over 2,000 attendees, almost 300 retailers representing 41 countries. The past 6 years the IFTD show had been paired with the general fishing trade show ICAST. So it was really special for the show to be back in Denver with nothing but fly fishing on the agenda. On the first night, the Drake Fly Fishing Magazine held the Drake Fly Fishing Video Awards where “Live the Stream: The Joe Humphreys Story” took 1st place in not one, but two categories including Best Story, and Best Movie. Hot New Products: As for new products, some highlights were the new G Loomis NRX+ Fly Rod Series, All New Umpqua Tippet and Leaders, Umpqua’s new Swim Coach articulated streamer pattern from Charlie Craven, Orvis Pro Waders, Simms G4 Collection, Abel Vaya Reel, Ross San Miguel Reel, Boulder Boatworks Skiff Driftboat, Orvis Helios 3 Custom Rod Grips, Rising Travel Net System, Fishpond Fly Dock, and the list goes on. So who stole the show? Award Recap: The show is a way for brands to showcase their new products and attendees have the chance to vote on their favorites for the IFTD awards. In short, Scott Fly Rods came home with the Best in Show Award and Best Saltwater Rod for their new saltwater series rod the Sector. Sage Fly Rods took home the awards for the remaining rod categories for Best Freshwater Fly Rod and Best Two-Handed Fly Rod. Simms Fishing Products stole the show winning 9 different awards in the apparel and wader/boot categories. Showing they are doing it right in that realm of product and have a lot of fans out there. The folks down in Montrose, Colorado, Abel Reels, and Ross Reels held down the reel category. With the all new Abel Vaya winning Best Saltwater Reel and Ross’ old time favorite the San Miguel is being resurrected and won the Best Freshwater Reel. Scientific Anglers swept the Line, Leader and Tippet market after taking home the Best Saltwater and Freshwater Line award with the Amplitude series as well as winning the Best Leader and Tippet with the Absolute Trout Tippet. All in all, it was a great show for the fly fishing industry to connect and collaborate to keep the innovations churning. Be on the lookout for Vail Valley Anglers to carry these new products from the respectable brands that we carry. If you are on the lookout for when a new product is going to be available to purchase give us a call at 1-800-926-0900 or email us at info@vailvalleyanglers.com Here is the full list of all the awards from the show: Best of Show Scott Fly Rods - Sector Series Accessories – Under $100 Simms Fishing Products, Pro Nipper Accessories – Over $100 Rising Nets, Travel Net System Gift Items – Under $100 Danforth Art, Danforth Art Youth Product – Gear/Apparel Fishpond, Tenderfoot Youth Vest Entertainment/Education Anglers Book Supply, Steelhead Fly Tying by Dec Hogan 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 Fly Tying Materials Hareline Dubbin, Bling Rabbit Strips™ Eco-Friendly – Gear Patagonia, Black Hole Gear Tote 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′ Fly Line – Freshwater Scientific Anglers, Amplitude Infinity Fly Line Fly Line – Saltwater Scientific Anglers, Amp Smooth Infinity Salt Fly Line Leader/Tippet – Gear Scientific Anglers, Absolute Trout Tippet 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 Fly Rod – Saltwater Scott Fly Rods, Sector Series Fly Rod – 2 Handed/Spey Sage Fly Fishing, Trout Spey HD Reel – Freshwater Ross Reels, San Miguel Reel – Saltwater Abel Reels, VAYA Men’s – Waders Simms Fishing Products, G4Z® Stockingfoot Wader Men’s – Outerwear Simms Fishing Products, G4 Pro® Jacket Men’s –General Apparel Simms Fishing Products, SolarFlex UltraCool Armor Men’s – Wading Boots Simms Fishing Products, G4 Pro® Boot Women’s – Waders Simms Fishing Products, Women’s G3 Guide™ Z Wader Women’s – Outerwear Simms Fishing Products, Women’s G3 Guide™ Jacket Women’s – General Apparel Simms Fishing Products, Women’s Bugstopper Leggings Industry Awards: Lefty Kreh Industry Leadership Award – Joan Wulff Jim Range Conservation Leadership Award – Tom Sadler, former AFFTA Board Member & Director, Marine Fish Conservation Network For more information on the trade show or to be a part of AFFTA you can visit their website here. If you are interested in purchasing one of the products above check out our website here or give us a call 1-800-926-0900 or email us at info@vailvalleyanglers.com Patrick Perry, Former Guide and Content Contributor, @patperry