5 Takeaways from the Fly Fishing Show in Atlanta

Last weekend, I spent several days in Atlanta for the annual Fly Fishing Show stop.  I hadn't been at this show since 2018, which seems like forever ago, and it was a good time.  Until I had gotten the invitation to be at the Oak & Oscar booth for the weekend, I had only planned on being at the show on Friday.  Being there two days give me more time to walk the room and see everyone which was good.

I'll say it at the beginning of the post that I really appreciate Chase for the invite, a place to stay with the team at their Airbnb, and making up a couple different collaboration logos that he turned into decals for the Oak & Oscar booth at the show.  Hopefully we can do it again sometime.

 

Here are my five takeaways from the Fly Fishing Show...

GLASS AND GLASS TALK - There were fiberglass fly rods all over the place and even front in center at the Moonlit Fly Fishing booth.  Orvis, Redington, Thomas & Thomas and others had their glass rods on the racks, mixed in with their graphite offerings, which was great to see.  I never expect fiberglass to be more than a niche within fly fishing but it's great to see it featured in the room. 

I had two exciting conversations with one on the next generation of fiberglass that is coming from a fly rod company and then the possibility of another fly rod company bringing glass back, even in a small way, after years of not having it.  More on both of those developments, hopefully, in the coming months...

THE BRANDS WERE BRINGING IT - Being at the show is a huge investment for companies and it can be somewhat of a gamble.  Sure it's great for your brand to get more exposure but there is a real cost to move a booth and merchandise from city to city on the show circuit, not to mention travel, hotels, food, rental cars, and more.  Can you sell enough gear at the show to make it worth it?

Our booth neighbors Oros might have had the busiest booth at the entire show since they were giving away really fun swag and used a handful of their larger strike indicators as golf balls on a putting mat.  Drop a putt or three and win a few strike indicators, t-shirts, decals, mugs, caps, and more. 

I had a good time meeting Scott Wilday of Lid Rig after years of back and forth online.  His first idea has turned into a dozen different innovative ideas.  His products are now on hat brims, gear straps, drift boats and skiffs, and more. 

It was good putting handshakes and meeting the husband and wife team of Atollas.  If their fly storage options haven't hit your radar yet, they should, and they are just getting started.  I have a couple of the 2Go Fly Boxes and a Fly Patch that I'm filling with marsh flies and will report back on them soon.

Cling Fishing had their laser was working overtime customizing Mag Grab of all sizes with logos and names.  They have a neat product line and it was a good idea for the show that they could create one of a kind pieces in a matter of minutes.   

I appreciated Jeff Patterson of Mayfly Outdoors taking the time to walk me through all the latest from Ross Reels, Abel Reels, Airflo USA, and Dyna-King.  New art finishes, expanded anodization capabilities, new and updated models, dealer only limited edition models, and a long list of exciting color schemes were the theme with the surprise that some finishes and special orders will actually be significantly reduced in price going forward due to advancements and changes they've made in production.  It might be time to bring back some Comrade and Retro Fly badged Abel Reels items in the T.F.M. Shop...

I have been excited about Riversmith, especially with their Convoy Collection, for awhile and it was stellar to meet the team.  They weren't selling at the show but had several shops that were.  I ended up coming home with the Convoy Duffel and Convoy Travel Pack which I'm stoked to take along next week to the Louisiana marsh.

I spent quite a bit of time at the Oak & Oscar booth with Chase and Gregory and there was a lot of fun watch talk, wrist checks, and talking fiberglass fly rods with so many over the two days I was there.  Thanks again to Turtlebox for sending a customized Oak & Oscar X T.F.M. Gen 2 Speaker for us to giveaway.  If you signed up, the winner should be announced soon... 

FLY FISHING LEGENDS - I have to admit that I instinctively looked around the room for Dave Whitlock, since every show that I have been to over the years, he was there.  It's hard not to miss the good ones, and dammit, he was great.  These T.F.M. posts (LINK and LINK) are worth a reflection.

Other familiar faces were around giving presentations, walking the floor, and at the various booths.  I had a short but good conversation with Andy Mill on his golf game, Bob Clouser on bonefish in the Bahamas, Jeff Currier on his and Granny's move to Wisconsin and his excellent travel blog, Bruce Chard on our fishing with mutual guide friends, and Brian O'Keefe on everything that he's up to, and others.

HANGS WITH INDUSTRY FOLKS - It's been a long time (years...) since I've been in the room with a large gathering of the fly fishing industry and it was great to see everyone.  Catching up, making plans, hearing about families, places everyone is fly fishing, new gear innovations, and more just confirm that this is a small and ever interesting industry that I'm glad to be a part of, even in a small way. 

WHAT I MISSED - I "avoided" two areas of the show, namely destination travel and all the fly tiers.  I did this to save my wallet since I have little self control.  There were so many travel companies scattered around at the show and fly tiers set up along several of the walls.  Undoubtedly I would have brought home dozens of flies and likely would be scheming on how to get some place that I just can't afford right now.  Maybe next year...

Have you been or going to the Fly Fishing Show this winter?  What did you see or want to see?  Send an email and let me know.