Eve of the departure to Reno, Nevada for the annual Fly Tackle Dealer Show, which is the fly-fishing industry’s single big event of the year. This is where all the who’s who in manufacturing show off their latest and greatest product… to all us swooning, gear-whore writers, of course. The goal is to get some up-front exposure before the product lines are released to the public next spring.
Of course, there is pure, straight business going on, too. In fact, most manufacturers have all their top reps in tow and they show the product, with all the advancements and gizmos, to retailers. Typically, manufacturers offer percentage deals to those who make significant early orders, then deliver product first to those people. Late ordering retailers, who always complain like a pack of coyotes on a kill, may not see their product until sometime in the buying season, rather than being able to open their shop doors in the spring and enjoy a full season of selling potential.
This show isn’t all about business. There are industry parties, video competitions, casting competitions, etc. And there’s time to sit and talk about all things with peers who have become friends over the years. How are the kids? How’s that wife? Where’d you travel last year? Where you going next? Whiskey? Why, yes. And look over there. How convenient. The hotel bar. Like it was made specifically for our presence. Wouldn’t want to snuff our noses at irony would we?
I can’t say I’m as excited about hitting Reno as I was visiting New Orleans last year, and I wish I were going redfishing again in the Delta and not sequestering myself in a hotel room to bang away at ad pitches and marketing material. But, hey. Could be a lot worse. I’ll also have opps to throw the new rods and check out all the new product. I’ll be shooting pics and taking notes, ready to share it with all ye Tonic faithful and with Fly Rod & Reel readers in the fall issue, which come out shortly after the show.
Back on Saturday for just a few days, then off to Oregon to float and camp out for three nights in the Deschutes Canyon (rock it). Hoping to have some of the new swag packed in my bags for the trip.