IFTD New Orleans Louisiana 2011 - Day 2 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This should be interesting … if you’re a gear head. I went ahead and ran the entire floor at the Convention Center this morning to give you a good idea of the scope, the width and depth of vendors at the IFTD show here in Louisiana. Whatever you do, don’t stare at this video, or watch it by fast forwarding even more! It’ll drive you crazy. Actually, you can slow it down for parts of booths you want to see, and let it fly through the rest.

There’s a general sense that things are getting better in the fly fishing business since the dark early days of the recession. The herd may have been thinned so to speak, but there’s a solid core to carry on all things in the business of fly.

The friendships that are developing among everyone here, and the stories told at meals, over Abita Beers, and during the slow moments are priceless. Putting it mildly, this is a colorful crowd.

IFTD New Orleans Louisiana 2011 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Thanks for riding along to the IFTD AFFTA Trade Show in New Orleans, Louisiana this year. This is a show for retailers to make purchases for their stores, and I have seen many familiar faces from Texas fly fishing retailers, including Greg Welander from Sportsman’s Finest in Austin, and Stephen Woodcock from Fort Worth’s Backwoods location. The show this year has, apparently, taken on a more salty flavor due to the move from the usual Denver, Colorado location, to southern digs here in New Orleans. The change in venue apparently has had little effect on the international turnout though. I’ve heard many languages and accents today, including French, Chinese, and the Brits and Aussies are here in numbers as well.

While the classic powerhouse vendors take up the lion’s share of floor space, there is plenty of room for the little guys taking their shot at selling products as unique as software for guide services, and a new company that promises to revolutionize the magnifying glasses industry with their new product. There’s edgy clothing, and you can still mix it with the classics if you’re a buyer.

Good fortunes came my way last night as well. I met media magnate Zach Matthews of Itinerant Angler fame, and Cameron Mortenson of The Fiberglass Manifesto. These are two of the many good people I have met in the last twenty-four hours, and we still have two more days of this to go!

If you are interested in any of the new products here, like the entire line of Sage ONE rods, feel free to comment, call or text me with something you would like to see.

I am headed for New Orleans this week to cover the AFFTA show there, and just want to know if there are any products you are interested in hearing about from the vendors at the New Orleans show?

In perusing the boards, some folks are interested in any new rods by Scott. There is a new website from Sage that was rolled out with little fanfare. Apparently, you have always been able to order direct from their site, but the shopping / ordering functions seem to be much more prominent now.

There certainly will be new offerings by Simms and other clothing and accessory manufacturers. I am thinking I will let the manufacturers do the talking, and the little guys, or guys with “underdog” status, get the lion’s share of print, and podcasts here at Texas Fly Caster.

If you’ve heard rumors, and want me to ambush the executives with them, now’s your chance. If you would like to see something done to your favorite fly fishing product, now’s your chance. If you think there should be some new product, now’s your chance. If you think some product sucks, now’s your chance. Speak now, or forever hold your peace.

LINKS

American Fly Fishing Trade Association
International Fly Tackle Dealer