ICast Fly Fishing Trade Show 2014

Just got back from the iCast show in Orlando, Florida, iCast being the single trade show each year for the fly fishing industry. This show allows manufacturers and dealers to do business make pre-season orders for the 2015 season. In addition, this show affords manufacturers an opportunity to highlight their new product lines to media. I spent three days walking the show floor, meeting with product designers and marketing managers and there’s plenty to be excited about. What stood out? What should you be on the lookout for as these items become available to the public in fall 2014 and winter 2015? Here are the items that won Best of Show honers and an announcement from Simms that describes their 2014 victories.

ICAST 2014 Overall Best of Show Category Winners

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Rod – G. Loomis, Inc.
Product PRO4x Short Stix

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Reel – 3TAND, LLC
Product – TF-70 Sealed Fly Reel

Best of Show – Boating Accessory – Johnson Outdoors
Product – Minn Kota Ulterra Trolling Motor

Best of Show – Eyewear – Costa
Product – Hamlin – 580P Mirror Lenses

Best of Show – Fly Fishing Accessory – Plastica Panaro SRL
Product – M2300 – Fly Caddy

Best of Show – Footwear – Columbia Sportswear
Product – Megavent PFG

Simms’ new G4 Pro Jacket

Simms Storms IFTD Awards with Record 7 Wins
Winners in Waders, Outerwear, Footwear and Sportswear Take Home Prizes

BOZEMAN, Mont. (July 18, 2014) – On the heels of winning 5 New Product Showcase Awards at last year’s International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) show in Las Vegas, Nev., Simms came to this year’s show anxious to show that was no fluke.

Last night, IFTD announced its New Product Showcase awards and the 2014 and 2015 Simms line captured a record 7 awards.  In the Men’s and Women’s Wader category, the company’s Freestone® Z Stockingfoot and Women’s Freestone® Stockingfoot took home the prize.  The new line of waders due in March 2015 keeps Simms atop the wader category again after winning in both categories last year.

Simms also swept the Men’s and Women’s Outerwear category with the innovative G4 Pro™ Jacket and Women’s Guide Jacket taking the honors.  With lighter 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro Shell fabric, integrated tool ports, 9 storage pockets and a highly water-resistant Dry Cuff™ design to keep water out, the G4 Pro is the most advanced jacket ever produced by Simms.  It lands at specialty fishing shops across North America next week.

In the General Apparel category, the Confluence Reversible came out on top.  This insulated shirt/jacket gives anglers 2 shirts in one package and is also part of Simms’ Fall 2014 line.  In Women’s Apparel, the Women’s Solarflex™ LS Shirt – Artist Series was awarded. Featuring the artwork of Andrea Larko, the Solarflex™ provides maximum sun protection (UPF50) and COR3™ technology perfect for everyday use.

Closing out the awards, Simms’ RiverTek™ 2 Boa® Boot took home the prize for Best Footwear.  This update to the RiverTek™ Boa® Boot is available in both Simms StreamTread™ wading platform and felt with the Boa® closure system for the ultimate in performance and reliability.

“After an incredibly successful show last year in Las Vegas, we came to Orlando with hopes that our innovative Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 lines would garner considerable attention,” says K.C. Walsh, Simms President.  “It is a testament to our product team that at this year’s show we surpassed last year’s results.”