IFTD 2015 Best of Show winners, highlights

A look at the awards and notables from Orlando
The Sage MOD, winner of Best Freshwater Fly Rod for 2016.

A very busy and energetic IFTD/ICAST show in Orlando came to a close Friday. By and large, manufacturers continued the trend established over the last year or two: continuing to innovate new and improve existing products to perform better, meet niche demands and be more sustainable.

On Thursday night, the show's organizers — the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) — announced the winner's of this years New Product Showcase. Products entered in the showcase are voted on by dealers and media (manufacturers can't vote). And while not every great new product wins or gets featured in the showcase, they offer anglers a chance for a peek at some of the best new products that will show up in fly shops and online over the next 12 months.


Announcement of the winners by AFFTA board chair Tucker Ladd.

This year's showcase was dominated by Simms, which took home six different awards including Best Boot and Best Men's Wader for its new wet-wading-specific Intruder Boot and its limited run G3 WQW Waders. Sage, RIO, Fishpond, Scott and Nautilus each took home two honors, with the latter winning both 'best of' reel categories; freshwater and saltwater. Sage took home Best Freshwater Fly Rod for its new trout-targeted rod, the MOD, while Best of Show and Best Saltwater Fly Rod honors went to Scott for its new saltwater stick, the Meridian.


Simms' new, award-winning made-for-wet-wading Intruder Boot.

Check below for the full list of winners and stay tuned for more details, highlights and coverage from IFTD 2015.

Men’s Waders Simms Fishing Products WQW G3 Guide Waders
Women’s Waders Redington Willow River Wader
Chest Pack/Vest Fishpond Summit Sling
Men’s Outerwear Simms Fishing Products Vapor Elite Jkt
Women’s Outerwear Simms Fishing Products Women’s Hyalite Jkt
Youth Product Umpqua Feather Merchants Rock Creek 2S Chest Pack
Eco-Friendly Product Fishpond Thunderhead Sling
Fly Rod – Freshwater Sage Fly Fishing MOD
Fly Rod – Saltwater Scott Fly Rod Co The Meridian
Reel – Freshwater Nautilus Reels X 4/6
Reel – Saltwater Nautilus Reels X 7/9
Boat/Personal Watercraft Estrada Art. LLC Estrada Signature L2 Fish
Fly Line – Freshwater RIO Products The Light Line
Fly Line – Saltwater RIO Products In Touch Striper Line
Fly Box/Storage System Tacky Fly Fishing The Big Bug Box
Fly Tying Materials/Equipment Peak Fishing PRVLIRS
Fly Pattern – Freshwater Fly Men Fishing Co Broyhill’s Jack Knife
Fly Pattern – Saltwater Umpqua Feather Merchants Lexo’s Pop Up Crab
Accessory Hatch Outdoors. Inc The Hatch Nipper
Men’s General Apparel Sage Fly Fishing Guide Shirt
Women’s General Apparel Simms Fishing Products Women’s Pro REINA Shirt
DVD Angler’s Book Supply Tributaries: The Series
Book Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Fly Fish Belize
Gift Item DeYoung Studio DeYoung Saltwater Pilsner
Luggage Simms Fishing Products Bounty Hunter 100 Roller
Wading Boots Simms Fishing Products The Intruder Boot
Best of Show Scott Fly Rod Co The Meridian

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