Each year at the International Fly Tackle Dealer show, hundreds of industry professionals select their picks for the best new rods, reels, lines, apparel and other gear. This year, a record number of attendees voted to determine this year's winners. When the results shook out, Sage's new flagship fly rod, the Sage X, stole the spotlight with wins in three categories — Best Freshwater Fly Rod, Best Saltwater Fly Rod and Best in Show. The wins marked the first time in IFTD history that the same series of rod has racked up wins in both fly rod categories and 'Best of Show'.
The X faced stiff competition in a year where several other manufacturers brought new high-end and/or flagship rods to the market — most notably the new G. Loomis Asquith and R. L. Winston Air.
Simms, as it has been known to do, walked away with more honors than any other manufacturer, posting wins in five categories including best Men's Waders, Wading Boots and Chest/Hip pack. Umpqua (4), RIO (3) and Patagonia (2) rounded out the list of multi-category winners.
See the full list of IFTD 2016 categories and winners below.
| Best of Show | Sage | X 590 |
| Fly Rod: Freshwater | Sage | X 590 |
| Fly Rod: Saltwater | Sage | X 890 |
| Reel: Freshwater | Ross Reels | Colorado LT |
| Reel: Saltwater | Abel Reels | SDS |
| Fly Line: Freshwater | RIO Products | InTouch Big Nasty |
| Fly Line: Saltwater | RIO Products | Winter Redfish |
| Leader / Tippet | RIO Products | RIO Saltwater Mono | Fly Pattern: Freshwater | Aqua Flies, LLC | Stu Foxall’s PrawnTruder |
| Fly Pattern: Saltwater | Umpqua Feather Merchants | Contraband Crab, Chicone |
| Fly Box / Storage System | Tacky Fly Fishing | Tacky Dry Fly Box |
| Fly Tying Materials / Equipment | Freestone Designs | The Go Box |
| Men’s Waders | Simms Fishing Products | Headwater Pro Waders |
| Women’s Waders | Hodgman | Women’s H4 Wader |
| Wading Boots | Simms Fishing Products | Rip Rap Shoe Felt |
| Check Pack / Vest | Simms Fishing Products | G4 Pro Sling Pack |
| Luggage | Umpqua Feather Merchants | ZeroSweep Cooler-Gater |
| Men’s Outerwear | Patagonia | Minimalist Wading Jacket |
| Men’s General Apparel | Simms Fishing Products | Intruder BiComp L/S Shirt |
| Women’s Outerwear | Patagonia | Women’s River Salt Jacket |
| Women’s General Apparel | Simms Fishing Products | Women’s Rip Rap Sandal |
| Youth Product | Umpqua Feather Merchants | ZS Wader Chest Pack |
| Accessories (under $100) | Orvis | U.S.-Made Aluminum Nipper | Eco-friendly Product | Fishpond | Thunderhead Duffel |
| Boat / Personal Watercraft | Outcast Sporting Gear | Fish Cat 5 Mat |
| Book | Angler’s Book Supply | Fusion Fly Tying |
| DVD | RIO Products | Favorite Fly-Fishing Knots |
| Gift Items (under $100) | Umpqua Feather Merchants | ZS Guide Wader Belt |
| P.O.S. / Booking Software | The Outfitter Pro | Online Booking System |
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