Best, Award-winning Fly Fishing Products and Gear for 2016

A day after the conventional tackle winners were announced in Orlando, American Fly Fishing Trade Association vice-chair Michael White announced the fly fishing winners at the annual “Party at the Pond” event on Thursday, July 14, 2016.

According to an American Fly Fishing Trade Association (www.affta.org) press release by Jess McGlothlin, the awards given at the show's two fly casting pools came after more than 225 attendees of the International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) side of the show voted for their favorite new products this summer.

Altogether, McGlothlin indicates that some 28 categories were represented, from fly rods and waders to books and DVDs.

Like the conventional tackle portion of the ICAST / IFTD show, voting for this year's fly fishing awards occurred in a secure space separate from the manufacturers and their exhibit booths. McGlothlin indicated that the the final results were calculated by code, ensuring that this year's winners were kept a surprise until the end.

When the awards were announced for the 2016 IFTD show, Simms Fishing Products, Sage, RIO products, Umpqua Feather Merchants and Patagonia were the big winners.

Overall, Montana based Simms Fishing Products racked up a total of five category winners while West Coast rod maker Sage took home overall "Best of Show" honors with the Sage X590 freshwater fly rod.

When anglers like WFN's own Chad LaChance (left) and legendary fly fisherman Lefty Kreh got together in Orlando, innovative technology like that found in the IFTD's new product showcase was often a topic of conversation. (Lynn Burkhead photo)

According to McGlothlin's news release, IFTD new products "Best of Show" category winners included the following companies and products:

- 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
- Best of Show: Sage — Sage X 590

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