Fly Fishing Retailer 2008: Smith Optics Mogul

Smith Optics has always been one of our favorite stops at the retailer show. This year was no exception as it gave us a chance to have a look at their new angler centric polarized sunglasses, the "Mogul." The Olive Stripe frame with Polarchromatic brown lenses caught our attention since we could see an excellent application for both the color of the lenses and the photo chromatic feature for the small stream angler.

"With a dedication to the very best materials available, the MOGUL shows you mean business without having to flash it around."

The Mogul fits medium to larger faces and the frames wide arms shield the eyes from excess side lighting. The lenses are made from TLT Techlight Glass and as pictured the suggested retial price is $179. Check them out via the Smith Optics website.

Smith Optics Interlock Wins Award

Smith Optics Wins Prestigious National Geographic Adventure "Best of Adventure Gear" Award

Ketchum, ID (November 26, 2007) For the second year in a row, Smith Optics has been recognized for its forward-thinking product development with the prestigious "Best of Adventure Gear" award from National Geographic Adventure.

Smith Optics Interlock Technology received this honor among thirty-nine other products regarded as essential outdoor gear by a select group of outdoor experts. National Geographic Adventure’s review process differs from other magazines as it selects an independent panel of forty-four of the country’s leading outdoor authorities and retailers to weigh in on products which, in its expert opinion, are innovative, essential, and have created particular excitement in the marketplace.

"We developed the Interlock technology to combine high performance and style in one product without forsaking one for the other. This award is confirmation yet again that Smith is exceeding
market expectations with our innovative and fresh approach to product development," said Eric Carlson, Smith Optics vp of product and design.

The Interlock was awarded "Best of Adventure Gear" due to its ground breaking technology, superb functionality and the corresponding demand created in the marketplace by its introduction. "The Smith Interlock looks cool, the lenses are simple to change, bombproof when in place, and optically precise. They’re nothing short of the best interchangeable sunglasses. Ever," said product guru and Best of Adventure Gear editor, Steve Casimiro. "One twist to change your entire look." Announced at the Adventurer of the Year ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November, the Interlock appears in the November-December issue of the magazine.

For the 2007 edition of the award, SMITH received similar honors for its V Ti high-performance sunglass, a lightweight, single lens product employing two different titanium alloys
to provide a lightweight and perfect fit.

FYI - Just in time for the holidays Sierra Trading post has an great selection of Smith Sport Optics at excellent prices and we have links to all of them in one convenient place via the FlyFishMagazine.com deals on gear page.

Video: Smith Optics New Interlock

Drew Simmons demonstrates Smith Optics new Interlock sunglasses with interchangeable lenses.

FFR Show 2007: Reflections from the casting pond

The wife and I just got back into town from the retailer show in Denver, Colorado where we were able to look at copious amounts of new fly fishing gear, hang out with old and new friends, and get a general feel for the direction of fly fishing as an industry from folks who make their living at the sport we so enjoy. We will have more detailed postings about gear and such later on but for now here are a few of our impressions from this year's show:

Patagonia Pals

First things first, we have to mention Patagonia, Inc. For the past two years they have acted as our host at the show and thanks to folks like Brian Bennett and Steve Stracqualersi we have always been made to feel very welcome. They are a great organization that makes excellent fly fishing product and more importantly does a great deal of good for the environment. A few of their programs that deserve mention are 1% for the planet, Common Threads Garment Recycling, and supporting the World Trout Initiative. A few their products that caught our eye include the combination FishingVest / PFD , and their Pack Vest which combines a fishing vest and back pack in one package. We will be posting about additional Patagonia products in the near future.

New Rods

On the upper end of the spectrum we got our hands on the new Orvis Helios and can say that it has to be the lightest fly rod we have ever held. It will be available in 2008 for around $755.

The big news from Sage was their new line of bass rods. We didn't get to try one of these at the casting pool but with their old school yellow finish they sure did look nice. Their 7'11" length might just allow Sage some inroads into the world of competitive bass tournaments.

Brad Beefus of Ross Worldwide took us through the paces with their Mel Krieger endorsed Essence fly rod series. The rods come in three levels of "trim," with slightly different actions, the FC, FS and at the top of the line the FW. With rods from $99 to $199 and complete outfits from $199 to $249 these rods are an affordable option for anglers. Ross designed these rods and their tapers from the ground up and it seems to have made a difference in the end result. We test casted a 3 weight from each of the three rod classes and found each of them to have a very nice feel. The rods and outfits will hit the market in October of this year.

Reels

Ryan Harrison, managing partner of The Waterworks /Lamson sat down with us and took us through his line of super light weight reels. He explained the company's revolutionary drag design featuring a completely sealed conical clutch as well as their almost bomb proof hard alox finish. The company's big news was the introduction of $120 price point reel called the Konic. The Konic features the same drag as their $400+ models but is die cast and has a salt water safe polyurethane finish.

Polarized Eye wear

We will have more detailed posts on this later but we were able to spend time with three of the players in fly fishing eye protection and fish spotting.

Smith Action Optics - Long time friend of the fly fisher. Tons of anglers wear them.

Panoptix - Started in Cycling - Flip Pallot wears them.

Kaenon - Italian design - proprietary lens material. Conway Bowman wears them.

Waders

Seattle outfitter Filson debuted their new five layer fishing waders which will be available March 1st, 2008 at a $310 MSRP. I can say that they look and feel just like what you would expect in a Filson wader. They have built in gravel guards, wool lined hand warmer pockets with brass buttons.

We will continue our coverage with additional products from the show in these and other categories so be sure to check back often.

Smith Optics: LookGoodSeeFish.com

Purveyors of fine and functional fishing eyewear, Smith Optics announced today the launch of a new website with a domain name that sums up all of the things an angler really cares about when it comes to fishing eyewear in four little words: LookGoodSeeFish.com. The site adds a new twist or two in the marketing of polarized glasses.

"Not only does the site offer up unique details about Smith Optics’ high performance lens tints and cutting edge frame styles, it also features a condition simulator that allows you to “test drive” any of Smith Optics’ legendary Polarized or Polarchromic™ lenses in a variety of conditions."

New for 2007 Smith Action Optics - Chamber

Pale Morning Media dropped us a note to fill us in about some of the new additions to the Smith Action Optics 2007 lineup. Being pseudo journalists with our readers well being firmly in mind, we immediately started asking tough questions.

Us: First of all what makes your polarized sunglasses better than the ones we can buy for $10 bucks down at the local Wally world?

Them: Quite a few things.

Us: (With upraised eyebrow) Elaborate please!

Them: Stylish looks, legendary polarization, techlite glass lenses with distortion free tapered lens technology, and Smith's lifetime warranty.

Us: Continue.

Them: Extra-large eye coverage, total polarized protection, and a photochromic option are the hallmarks of the new Chamber from Smith Optics.

Designed with the demanding conditions of professional guides in mind, the Chamber defeats glare with Smith Optics legendary polarization and wins the fashion battle with a stylish cigar-band logo and the smooth curves of a Grilamid frame. Available in eight unique tints including Smith Optics photochromic lenses, the Chamber is the ideal partner for a day as well as a full season of on-the-water use.

“The Chamber is an ideal large-fitting, guide-quality fishing frame,” said Peter Crow, General Manager of Smith’s Action Optics Polarized Collection. “With extra-large eye coverage and a deep variety of polarized lens tints, the Chamber gives you both the choices you want and the protection you need.”

Created from optical-quality Techlite glass, the Chamber’s lenses are finalized with hydrophobic and anti-reflective coatings for optimum clarity and performance. The Chamber also features Hydrophilic Megol nose pads and temple pads for day-long, slip-free comfort.

Protected by Smith’s Lifetime Warranty, the Chamber’s 8-base “wrap-style” lens curvature serves up superior straight-ahead and excellent peripheral vision. Eliminating any possible distortion in the lenses is Smith’s unique Tapered Lens Technology™ (TLT™).

Us: So what you are telling us is that with the Action Optics line we can protect our eyes from stray hooksets with a more comfortable fit, all the while seeing those sneaky fish much more clearly than before?

Them: Absolutely!

Us: Couple all this with a great warranty and it looks as though Smith Action Optics is bringing the total package to the table.

Them: You hit the nail on the head.

Us: OK the mic is off now. Off the record tell us the real reason the best anglers wear Smith Action Optics sunglasses?

Them: I'm really not at liberty to say.

Us: Oh come on now, This is "Us" you are talking to. Spill the beans or we will release those pics of you we took that the Denver Fly Fishing Retailer Show party last year.

Them: OK OK, You got me. Aside from the obvious fact that guys who wear Smith's are trusting their valuable eyesight to a quality product. Isn't it obvious? Chicks really dig 'em

Visit Smith Action Optics on the web for more information about the "Chamber" and their other new offerings for 2007.