A Tale of Two Trade Shows
Monday, August 6, 2012 at 12:03AM 
An expanded number of fly fishing companies and retailers were in attendance at this year's Outdoor Retailer show that just wrapped up in Salt Lake City. In addition to Redington, who was exhibiting for a second time, new show exhibitors included Orvis, Umpqua, Montana Fly Company, Fikkes and Tenkara USA. The option of the IFTD show moving in with Outdoor Retailer in the future was also on the agenda as representatives for both trade organizations held a meeting at the show.
The ongoing discussion regarding the future of the IFTD show will certainly be front and center as that show begins its run in Reno in less than two weeks.
We've made no secret of our view that IFTD would be better served joining forces with Outdoor Retailer as opposed to the opton of joining ICAST, or continuing with its current strategy. To get a taste of the breadth of Outdoor Retailer hit the images to read the show dailys from DAY 1 and DAY 2 of the show.
IFTD, fly fishng business, ooutdoor retailer in Business
Reader Comments (7)
Why do you think OR versus Icast? OR to me seems a stretch. Is our growhth in a mom and pop outdoor shop selling carabiners, figure 8s, sleeping bags, and snow shoes fit or a mom and pop shop selling rappalas and treble hooks?
Juan
I think fly fishing in ORD is truly a stretch however being there will bring more people into fly fishing. However it going to end up being like cheap fly rod outfits and bulk flies tied in Vietnam or something. I prefer Fly fishing staying in ICAST instead but hey any news is good news right?
IFTD is beat along with OR. SLC is too small to host the show anymore. Going to have to move it to Vegas or Florida. The best bet would be to join Icast and get all the fishing folks under one roof would make the most sense.
I wish the article about Gov. Herby pointed out the fact that he betrays anglers by trying to take away the stream access laws. This has been a long drawn out fight and he did this for personal interest. Due to the fact he has relatives that have private property on the Provo river. I hope this article helps take away votes for him being reelected
I think OR would support the needs of independent fly shops far more than Icast. OR would provide dealers with access to a far wider range of prodcts that would enhance thier standard fishing products be it water bottles, headlamps, SUP's, or clothing items. so giving them a little more ammunition to survive in what s a very difficult market. OR is a vibrant and positive enviroment that would be great for store owners to be around. From a vendors prospective it does also open up a whole potential new market. To me flyfishing seems far more tied to the outdoor industry than bait and spin fishing.
bulltrout - Gov. Herbert didn't just try, he succeeded in taking away stream access. He was even warned at the time that those actions would jam up the courts. He was shown the numbers his own committee created to peg the $$$ angling brings in to UT, and his jaw dropped. But, lo and behold, the pushover governor-by-default once again signed what the legislature put on his desk. Hopefully he does something else short-sighted so people pay attention in November.
I agree fly fishing is more tied to OR in certain segments. In the Rockie for the under 50 age group fly fishing is definitely more tied to OR type products and consumers. I feel like on the Coasts fly fishing is more tied to fishing in general.