FlyFish Mag at IFTD--Part 1

Sure, I'm as distracted as the next gal about all the jazz, beads and feather boas glimmering at us from the future. In a year from now we'll be recovering from IFTD 2011 in New Orleans; telling our trade show tales with spent voices, squinting at blurry phone pictures to figure out who flashed us, and saying over and over, "One fish, two fish, redfish, redfish."

But today I'm still happy to be stripping in the good times and great gear found at IFTD 2010 in Denver September 9-11.

First off--here are some immediate things that caught my attention:

• An AAFTA board member asked my honest opinion on how to make fly fishing less exclusive
• Logo changes for Redington and Sage
• People introduced by their Twitter handles ie: @troutscout @kyleindenver @roughfisher @midcurrent @deneki @fbrglssmnfsto @fishykid @fethastyx @tundralove @flyfishpro @outsidehilary @iftd
  
• Ross F1 Reel Series
• Free Moose Drool (Made in Montana)
• Not even close to free internet access (Made in NEVERland--as in, I ain't never payin'! )
• Watch out fishy men--the polite, capable and informative fishy kid Tyler Befus could do your job if he was legally old enough
• Tough-guys-turned-art-aficionados standing in line to have their copy of The Drake autographed by Derek DeYoung

Here are some pics from the points above:






Tomorrow I'll be breaking down the features of some of the show's top products, including those from Ross, Sage, Redington, Buff, R.L. Winston, Big Sky Inflatables, fishpond, Smith Optics and more.
And I'll explain why the Ross F1 Series is my "Best of Show" choice.
Hilary

Industry News: Far Bank Hires Hard Goods Planner

Far Bank Enterprises, Inc. Welcomes Ryan Cade as Hard Goods Planner

Far Bank Enterprises adds to its team to expand expertise in hard goods categories.

04.14.2010 – (Bainbridge Island, WA) – Fly-fishing industry leader, Far Bank Enterprises, is pleased to announce the addition of Ryan Cade as the new Hard Goods Planner. Bringing years of prior product planning experience, Ryan will be working with Sage, Redington and RIO to further develop the planning process and help attain marketing goals.

“The addition of Ryan to our team will bring a new focus to product planning and marketing and will help us expand our expertise to all hard goods categories,” says David Visnack, Director of Marketing & Merchandising. “Ryan brings valuable experience to the Far Bank team, and his skill set will allow us to take our established and successful categories to the next level.”

Sage/Rio/Redington Parent Announces Promotions

Far Bank Enterprises, Inc today announced new roles for President Bruce Kirschner and Vice President Travis Campbell.

From today's press release:

Kirschner, a founding shareholder of Sage and current President of Far Bank, moves up to become Chief Executive Officer of Far Bank where he will concentrate on the execution of the organization's long-term strategic vision. "Far Bank has grown into a multi-branded group of companies with the objective to profitably grow both organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kirschner. In his role as CEO, he will focus on the company's continuing evolution from a "branded house" to a "house of brands" built around the fly fishing lifestyle.

In promoting Travis Campbell to President of Far Bank, Kirschner noted that Travis "will have day-to-day operating responsibility for all three brands of the company." Campbell originally joined Sage as its Director of Business Development in 2001, and was instrumental in the purchases of both Redington and RIO. Added Kirschner, "Travis has run both the Redington and RIO businesses so this is a natural evolution and he is clearly ready for this responsibility. Most notably he is a passionate angler, and embodies the values that we believe are essential to our long-term success."

About his new role, Campbell said, "I feel fortunate to work in this industry and I am honored by the opportunity to add to the foundation of success that has been established here. I look forward to working with the Far Bank businesses to drive the principles of innovation, quality and conservation that I think are critical to our organization, as well as to the industry at large."

Both men agree that the first order of action is to maximize the opportunities afforded by the three Far Bank brands. Kirschner said, "The focus here is to continue to drive value to our retailers and consumers by combining the unique capabilities of the three companies while maintaining their individual identities." "It's the logical next step," added Campbell "and is where we'll be concentrating our efforts in coming months."

The promotions for both men are effective August 1, 2008.

Sierra Trading Post: Redington Fly Rod $29.50

Redington Crosswater Rod - 2-Piece

You are a nice guy. You always want to help out. You learned how to share in kindergarten. You would give someone the shirt off your back right? As nice as you are, you just have to draw the line when it comes to lending out your prized fishing gear. You hate yourself for being selfish and you realize the importance of taking kids fishing, but you'd sooner share your best girl than let that bumbling teenager down the street borrow Grandpa's cane fly rod with the agate stripping guide.

What you need is a good back up / loaner rod. One that casts like a dream but costs so little that you don't mind if it ends up under Junior's felt clad feet. Sierra Trading Post has just the ticket. A Redington Crosswater Two Piece fly rod for only $29.50. Think of it as an investment in unselfishness and an insurance policy for your favorite gear.

Be sure to check the coupon link in the side bar for extra savings.

Sage, Redington, Rio Bristol Bay Outfit Pre-Order

From their joint press release:

Bainbridge Island, Washington - The threat of a massive hard rock and open pit mining district in Bristol Bay has sparked three of the most recognizable names in fly fishing to come together for a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited Alaska.Sage Manufacturing, Redington Tackle & Apparel, and RIO Products International are creating a special ready-to-fish outfit that will be shipped to customers in April 2008. Only 300 limited edition outfits will be produced.

This special outfit will come with a Sage Z-Axis 9-foot 8-weight rod and a Redington moss-colored CD 7/8 reel pre-spooled with RIO Gold fly line. A case will also be included, which will be embroidered with a unique graphical slogan, “More Precious Than Gold – Save Bristol Bay”. Purchased separately, this outfit would retail for more than $875. The companies plan to retail this special outfit for $600.

From each outfit sold, Sage, Redington and RIO will donate $200 to Trout Unlimited Alaska. Total anticipated donation, which will be earmarked for campaign activities dealing with the Bristol Bay mining district as well as production, marketing and distribution of the film Red Gold, will be between $60,000 – $120,000.Outfits may be pre-ordered beginning Thursday, January 3rd, 2008.

Pre-orders will be taken in two ways: By calling Sage Customer Service at (800) 533-3004, or by simply ordering online at www.redington.com. At the time of purchase, customers can extend their support even further by choosing to donate additional funds to Trout Unlimited Alaska. Sage & Redington are set up to accept additional donations in $50 increments up to a matching donation of $200. Dealers who wish to carry the outfit will also have the opportunity to do a matched donation. Everyone who places an order with a matched donation will have their name listed in press releases, on Redington.com, Sageflyfish.com, and the Trout Unlimited official site.

To date, Sage, Redington and RIO have donated more than $10,000 for public and media awareness and the production of a new documentary about the region, entitled Red Gold, about the Bristol Bay fishery
For More Information:
• www.savebristolbay.org & www.redington.com/bristol.php
• Marc Bale (mbale@sageflyfish.com), Bruce Kirschner (bkirschner@sageflyfish.com) or Karen Curry (kcurry@redington.com), Company Representatives, 1-800-533-3004
• Lauren Oakes, Conservation Programs Officer, Trout Unlimited Alaska, loakes@tu.org (907) 321-3725