2010 IFTD show re-cap

After only spending one day at the latest IFTD show in Denver, I was able to see a few things.   This year's show felt a little "buzzless" to me.  To me, there wasn't much excitement  for any one thing.  There were new flies, and new rods and reels.  One of the most talked about reels was the new Ross F1.  I have never been a big Ross fan and do not own any of their rods or reels, but they put out a top notch product.  The new F1 looks good and will withstand anything you throw at it, but I squirmed when I heard the price tag was around $425.00-$525.00.   The looks seem to borrow from Naulilus Reels with the color and the red insert.  I joked about that and mentioned that last years model, the new Evolution LT looked like a Galvin. I don't think the Ross boys liked those comments.   I do love the fit of their hats though, so maybe I should just stop there.
Hardy has some new rods available and one that caught my eye was the new Sintrix Rod.  It was lightweight, similar to an Orvis Helios, and had a great feel.  I wasn't able to take it out and cast it since the casting ponds were always full of hero casters, trying to cast to the other end of the building.  I didn't want to get up there and embarrass myself casting only 35'.  This rod is worth checking out though.  The price starts right around $600.00 I think.  A bit pricey, but this is a high end rod.

As for new flies, there were a few that caught my attention.  Umpqua had a couple new ones that were good looking, but this is the second year in a row that they have released a new San Juan Worm.  Not very original there.  Also in their line up was a "Sawyer P.T. Nymph".  Again, not very original.  On the tying material front, Umpqua does have a few new products that really caught my eye.  New 16/0 thread and a new hair stacker that was heavy and felt great.  Also Umpqua had some new wing material that looked great. I can't wait to try that material out.  They also had 2 new hook styles that are sure to have new patterns tied up on them.

One of Umpqua's flies that I liked.  The Flutter Bug.

Rainey's has some good stuff out there, I wasn't able to get  a good look since it was always packed.  I guess that tells you and me something huh?  Orvis also has a few flies that looked good.  I have a couple of them listed below.  

Montana Fly Company didn't have a booth, but Adam Trina and Greg Cunningham were there meeting with people to show new flies.  I met with them to discuss my flies and what needed to be tweaked to meet my likeness.  That was nice.   I have to say that MFC had some really neat flies, most of them listed below.  No San Juan worms here, just a bunch of new flies for real fishing.  I think that in terms of new flies, MFC had the best, Rainey's was next, Solitude after them, and then Umpqua, followed by Orvis.  

I am not going to even begin the other product at the show that I saw.   There are other blogs out there that  have already done an outstanding report of the other products.  I took a bunch of photos of MFC flies as well as some others.  Take a look and enjoy.  

One of the flies from the Iron Fly Contest.  I don't know who tied this fly but it looks good.

Kevin Compton ties during the Iron Fly Contest Finals.  

Mongo Hopper

Wiese's Clacka Caddis

The Hopper Juan

More or Less Hopper

Korbay's October Caddis

Johnson's BDI caddis

Wiese's Glass Head Ant.

Love the name of this one!

Carl's BH Golden Stone.  

Wiese's Glass Head Ant.

Wike's Quick Caddis

Wiese's Clacka Caddis

I think this is the Chubby Chernobyl with the new stonefly body 

My Midge Ice Emerger.  It's kinda beat up as it has been picked up and looked at a lot.  

Hopper Juan 

Donky Kong Hopper

The same fly as a Morish Hopper

Osteen's Cricket

Mongo Hopper

Dunnigan's Green Drake Nymph

My Floss Back Emerger.  

The name cracks me up.  

PMD Ice Emerger

Orvis Hopper Pattern.

MFC new flies 2011

Oliver Edwards Stonefly Nymphs.

Oliver Edward's series caddis larva.

Orvis Stimicator.  This one looked a bit "out there".  I probably wouldn't throw one of these, but at least the idea is out there.

Orvis Hopper

Umpqua/TMC has this 16/0 thread.  It looks really nice and it comes in 200m spools.  Colors are limited but cover the most basic colors.

This Aero Dry Wing looks great.  It looks really nice. Can't wait to play with some of it.  

This is awesome.  This hair stacker is probably my favorite item of the show.  Maybe because I can afford to buy it?  

I liked the lok of this one.  It was one of Orvis's new patterns.  I didn't get the name of it.

Solitude's New Foam Wing Emerger.   This is a great San Juan pattern.  

Solitude's Double Digit Midge

One of Orvis's Flies for 2011

After the show was over, this greeted us.