Jesse's impressions from the Fly Fishing Retailer Show

John and I spent two long days at the international fly fishing dealers show in Denver last week. I was on equipment overload half way through the first day. There were 240+ booths ranging from the small business area where small companies and individuals could show their products inexpensively on a 8' table to the huge mega booth from the Sage family (Sage, Redington, Rio and C&F).

The thing that I was impressed with is the new innovative products. The sport is so advanced that sometimes I think that there is nothing to improve on, but I was wrong. A few of the things I was impressed with that you will probably see in the shop when we open:

1. There is a new float indicator that is similar to the thingamabobber but instead of an eye at the top the top unscrews and you wrap your leader around the threaded portion and tighten it up. It seals with an o-ring this keeps it in place.

2. A clip that will attach to your vest, waders or shirt with a magnetized back (no holes in the fabric) it has a hook that will hold your rod at the stripping guide. Hands free to re-rig or change flies. I will have one with me all the time.

3. Scientific Anglers has bright fluorescent orange practice leaders with yarn attached. As a casting instructor is really nice to be able to see the line and leader when casting or teaching.
These leaders will make it a lot easier to work on your casting and getting that leader to straighten out. We will have these on our demo rods come check them out.

4. Sharks Tooth, maybe you have seen it, but this is the first time I have used it. It is an elastic band that fits around your tippet spools thread your tippet through the hole and it manages your line. Pull out what you need and the sharks tooth cutter on the elastic band nips it off, look ma only one hand needed.

5. Storage containers... We found a small innovative company that is making some great storage containers for flies and tying materials. The container that we will be using for customers to put their flies in is now usable in so many ways. I wont be able to explain it here but the system is so simple and effective you will be amazed.. AND it is so inexpensive I could not believe it. We will have them on hand in all the sizes and styles you have to see it to believe it.

These items are just a small portion of the new things we saw and tried out. In the days to come we will have more information about the show and the new goodies we saw and will have in the shop when we open.
Stay tuned the opening is getting closer