The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show wrapped up about a week ago over in Orlando, Florida. This industry-only show is HUGE, as it features fishing gear, apparel, and accessories from all disciplines of fishing. Quite a few fly fishing brands participate as well. I’ve actually attended this show a few times in the past, receiving a press credential for “Troutrageous.com”, if you can believe that…
One of the highlights of the show each year is the “New Product Showcase“, where brand’s new products for the upcoming season are featured and voted on in many different categories. As such, I thought it would be cool to post a quick list of the 2024 ICAST Best in Show winners that directly tie back to fly fishing. Because looking at new gear is fun, right?
Best Fly Fishing Rod
Temple Fork Outfitters Elevare
From TFO: An experienced euro nymphing angler requires a tool that aids in their ability to sense the slightest bites and to lift and set the hook on a fish quickly. Enter the Elevare series, Italian for “to lift, raise or elevate,” this premium series allows anglers to deliver and hook fish more effectively in leary, light line, and small fly environments.
Best Fly Fishing Reel
Hardy Averon Fly Reel
From Hardy: The core of the Hardy performance reel range, Averon, embodies the quality and reliability synonymous with the Hardy brand and continues a tradition of innovation and precision. This lightweight, durable reel blends performance, fishability, and long-term reliability in a stylish large arbor design. Size-dependent, it features open frames for weight reduction and rapid spool changes, and closed frames for thin running lines or specialist euro nymph lines.
Best Fly Fishing Waders / Boots
Grundens Vector Zip Stockingfoot Waders
From Grundens: Built on a legacy of ruggedness & durability, the Vector Zip Wader delivers premium abrasion & puncture resistance, an outstanding 30K+ waterproof rating, & patent pending fishing features.
Best Fly Fishing Backpack / Bags / Luggage
Simms Tailwind Rod & Reel Vault
From Simms: Protect, organize, and mobilize rods, reels, and fly lines for your next bucket list adventure with the travel-ready Tailwind Rod & Reel Vault. Built with a compression-molded 900D ballistic polyester, the Vault features customizable organization via movable hook and loop dividers. The Vault also includes a hidden compartment on the lid for small necessities and also comes equipped with a removable shoulder harness for backpack carry. Vault holds multiple 4-piece rods up to 10′ in length.
Best Fly Line / Leader / Tippets / Line Accessories
Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Tarpon Full Clear
From Scientific Anglers: Magnitude lines are ushering in a new era in saltwater fly line technology, headaches with clear lines are a thing of the past. Our new family is loaded with revolutionary new technologies making it most durable and slickest clear floating fly line on the market. Period.
Best Fly Fishing Rod & Reel Combo
Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Fly Combo
From Shakespeare: Engineered for ease of use and optimal performance, the Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Carbon Kit is perfect for anglers getting started or seeking an affordable quality outfit. It features a versatile medium-fast action Carbon composite performance rod that provides an ideal balance of power and flex for smooth casting. Paired with the modern large arbor Cedar Canyon Click fully rigged with backing, fly line, and leader. This kit even comes with a selection of flies and casting instructions.
Best Fly Fishing Tools & Accessories
AFN Extreme Pliers 140mm
From AFN: The 140mm Xtreme Pliers are made from CNC Machined 420 stainless steel with a hard chrome matte finish and no rust coating. Featuring standard jaws with tungsten cutters, they can cut through both braided and mono lines with ease. Suitable for a range of other outdoor activities, the 140mm Xtreme Pliers are the perfect pliers for your next outdoor adventure.
Best Fly Fishing General & Technical Apparel
Grundens Portal GORE-TEX Wading Jacket
From Grundens: The smartest jacket on the water, we created the perfect unity between jacket & wader with Portal’s revolutionary pass-through pocket design that grants access to your wader’s exterior pockets.
Best Fly Tying Vises / Tools / Materials
Renzetti C2303-MR Traveler Vise
From Renzetti: The same Renzetti Traveler but it comes with the midge jaws already on the vise. The recommended hook range for the midge jaws are #28-#2. It also comes with a tan 5″x5″ tan powder coated base that allows the tyer to better see anything they have on the base.
Best Fly Fishing Chest Pack / Sling Pack / Waist Pack & Vest
Simms Headwaters Sling Pack
From Simms: Comfortable, durable, and appropriately featured to support a great day on the water. Built with durable and water-resistant fabric with water-resistant YKK Aquaguard zippers, the Headwaters Sling Pack features an ambidextrous design to meet the needs of all anglers. Featuring an internal foam fly retainer panel and magnetic closure stash pocket, the 12-liter Headwaters Sling Pack also comes equipped with a fold-out compression molded workstation.
So there you have it. Now are these truly the best new products in the industry? Or are they perhaps the best from the brands that attended ICAST? I don’t really know, but I’m sure thousands of anglers will be able to make up their own minds in the upcoming months. I know I have my eye on more than a few of these items.