RIO Announces Streamer Tip Line

03.01.2011– 2011 (Idaho Falls, ID) – RIO, manufacturer of fly fishing lines, leaders, tippets, and accessories, brings the new StreamerTip® line to market for 2011. For anglers who love stripping streamers, casting them just got easier thanks to this new line.

Throwing streamers is an essential tool in any fly fisherman’s arsenal, and RIO’s new StreamerTip line allows casting all sizes of streamers with ease. This new line is based on the Outbound Short profile, and has a front loaded weight and aggressive front taper to easily turn over even the heaviest flies. The 10 foot clear tip that sinks at a 1.5 to 2 inch per second rate is ideal for stripping streamers just under the surface. It is a perfect line for anglers fishing from a drift boat who need to make fast, one-shot casts to the bank getting the fly to where it is needed effortlessly. Each line is manufactured with a coldwater coating featuring XS Technology for extreme slickness. All lines also feature welded loops on both the front and back ends of the line for streamlined gear changes.

RIO’s new StreamerTip Line is available at retailers around the globe in four sizes each at a length of 90 feet; WF5F/I, WF6F/I, WF7F/I and WF8F/I at a suggested retail price of $74.95. These lines have a clear tip followed by a yellow body and pale green running line.

About RIO Products:

is a pioneer in developing fly lines, leaders and tippet material to enhance fly fishing experiences across the globe. Offering premium fly lines for both freshwater and saltwater fishing applications, RIO consistently utilizes field experience and scientific testing to create the best products on the market for anglers. Founded 20 years ago in the mountains of Idaho, RIO continues to develop innovative products, design revolutionary tapers and refine performance-driven fly line technologies. For more information about RIO Products, please visit www.rioproducts.com

Gear: Rio Announces New Saltwater Fly Line

Rio products announces another addition to their fly line offerings for 2011. The Saltwater Outbound® Short.

From their press release:

11.29.2010– The new Saltwater OutBound Short from RIO is an incredibly easy loading, fast casting line that gives fly fishers a huge advantage when targeting moving fish. The front-weighted head is slightly heavier than the AFTMA standard, empowering this line to load a rod instantly, and with an overall head length of only 30 feet and a short rear taper, it easily allows anglers to make fast, one-shot casts.

RIO designs lines to give anglers an advantage in every fishing scenario, and the new Saltwater Outbound Short is no exception. It has a 10 ft long clear, intermediate tip that is ideal for spooky fish and for coping with tough winds, and features a hard, tropical coating, manufactured with AgentX, DualTone and XS Technologies for the maximum in slickness and performance. The line is built on an easy-stretching, medium stiff core that ensures the line does not wilt in the heat and includes welded loops on both ends for fast, easy rigging.The RIO Saltwater Outbound Short is ideal for fast moving fish such as tarpon, permit and trevally. They are available between WF8 and WF12, with a MSRP of $79.95, from all authorized RIO dealers. More info is available via the Rio Products website.

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.

Industry News: Rio to Distribute C&F Design Products

The fly line folks at Rio Products have announced an agreement to become the exclusive U.S. distributor of C&F Design Products. Most anglers know and appreciate the C&F Threader Fly Boxes which allow the angler to easily attach tiny flies to tippet in low light conditons.

C & F Design spokesman, Takashi Nakajima, stated that the new distribution agreement will
help further grow the C & F Design brand – by offering a greater range of products, sizes and colors to be available to the US and Canadian fly fisher. Takashi says; "We are very excited to have this contract with such a great company as RIO. We know we will have strong sales growth together and look forward to establishing a successful and long term relationship in North America!"

Photo courtesy Cabela's

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