ICAST / IFTD 2015 - Apparel, Wading, & Packs

So let me get this out of the way, I'm not even going to pretend like I saw all of the clothing, waders, and bags at the show. There was just a tremendous amount of it everywhere...far too much to document in about 5 or 6 hours of wandering a show floor.

Since time was of the essence, a lot of what I saw was either at the various "New Product Showcases" somewhat removed from the show floors, or at booths I passed by where I happened to see a bit of a break in the action. Booths like Costa, Simms, & Patagonia were pretty much packed the entire day, so sorry if I missed your manufacturer of choice.

I did happen to see more than my share of cool stuff, which I'll highlight below.

HODGMAN

My winner of "BesT! in Show" award in 2014 went to the Hodgman Aesis Sonic waders, the first step in the company's re-branding effort from your "uncle's rubber hippers" into high-performance, technology filled waders. The evolution continues with wading apparel that was teased last year, but fully unveiled this year.

The 3 jackets shown above are of the Aesis HyperDry Down Jacket (first photo), Aesis Shell Jacket (bottom left), & Aesis Wadelite Jacket (bottom right).  There is also a 3-in-1 combo jacket slightly out of frame at bottom.

They HyperDry Down jacket is exactly what is sounds like, a warm, down filled, lightweight wading jacket that is extremely water resistant. It touts the ability to keep you warmer and dry faster when wet, even in the most extreme conditions.

The Aesis Shell is exactly what it sounds like, a breathable shell-style jacket that has some neat bells & whistles like large chest pockets and a magnetic fly patch, while the Aesis Wadelite jacket has Sonic 2.0 welded construction that eliminate the tiny holes that come with stitched & taped seams.

The 3 jackets pictured will retail for $199.95, $229.95, & $179.95 respectively.


UMPQUA

I've been really impressed with Umpqua's packs since I first got my hands on them last year. As a personal fan of slings, I focused my sights on two of Umpqua's latest, the Ambi-Sling ZS sling pack & the Bandolier ZS sling pack, both of which feature the Zero Sweep (ZS) concept.

Zero Sweep ports on the side of the Ambi-Sling

So what's Zero Sweep? It's the idea that the pack is extremely streamlined and nothing hangs loose to get caught up on fly line, branches, you name it. All of your tools and accessories that might typically drape off the side from zingers have specific ports or sheaths to reside, so it makes your pack virtually snag-free, with nothing to get in the way of your fishing.

The Ambi-Sling ZS ($139.99) pictured in the next two photos, is a sling pack with ample volume of 1100 cubic inches for pretty much whatever you want to bring on the stream, 5 Zero Sweep ports, 2 tool sheaths, and 2 fly patch stations.  A fully padded shoulder strap balances the load.

The Bandolier ZS is more of a minimalist's sling pack, heck it almost looks like a fanny pack you wear across your body instead of on your waist! Like the Ambi-Sling, it too features Zero Sweep design, including two external attachment tabs, two sheaths, and two ports to keep all of your tools neat and tidy. The main compartment is big enough to hold two large fly boxes, and there are two smaller side pockets for odds & ends. The Bandolier ZS will retail at $69.99

WESTERN RISE

Prior to the show, I only knew of Western Rise from Instagram photos. Western Rise is a generally new to the scene technical apparel company with what they call a "timeless aesthetic." While it's not really my fashion look of choice (perhaps a touch "hipster,") I definitely respect what these guys have put together and can appreciate a solid apparel line when I see one.

The Bodie Button Down (left) & Hartsel Henley (right) are two of the key pieces in the line. If you look closely on the Hartsel, you notice standing water pooled in the midsection. Western Rise was displaying how water resistant their garments are. I was impressed by the fact that both tops still maintained a nice soft "hand", not overly stiff like one might think a water-repellent treated fabric might feel.

The MSRPs are $79 & $65 respectively.


KORKERS

Think we're going to talk about Korkers' innovative interchangeable soled boot design?
Nope.  It's all about the new "Drinking Fisherman" logo gear.

$29.99 gets you your choice of hat or tee...
Enough said.


A TRIO OF WADING BOOTS

Here's a quick rundown of 3 new wading boots, including one that won 2015 IFTD "Best In Show" in the boot category. Can you guess which one?

Of the 3 boots in the foreground, the boot to the left is the Orvis BOA Pivot Boot. According to Orvis, the Pivot has been designed for comfort and safety, and of course features a BOA closure system for easy on-off. The Vibram Idogrip rubber sole also employs a random orientation of cleats to prevent slipping at any angle. MSRP $199

The center boot is the Patagonia Ultralight Wading boot. The Ultralight is exactly that, constructed of quick-drying, lightweight synthetic leather and a quick draining mesh. Understanding the various needs of anglers, Patagonia will offer the Ultralight in both felt or rubber soled versions. MSRP $189.

The boot on the right is the boot that won Simms "Best in Show," and is unique in the fact that it is designed specifically for wet wading! The Simms Intruder has an integrated neoprene bootie that is intended to be worn barefoot. While the boots can be worn with neoprene socks, the bootie serves the same purpose, keeping out debris and maintaining blister free comfort. The outsole is constructed of Vibram Megagrip rubber for traction on both wet and dry surfaces. Plus, it's just pretty cool looking, and that's what's really important, am I right? MSRP $179.95.


UNDER ARMOUR

I was pleasantly surprised by some of the gear I saw from Under Armour. I knew they were growing their footprint in the fishing category, but they appear to have executed three new fishing items extremely well. None are really fly fishing, but two could definitely be used by fly fishermen.

The first of the three (which might be my favorite) is the Drainster Fishing Shoe. Shoes like this are not really new, Columbia makes a very popular pair for example, but few combine the look with the (perceived) performance. The selling point to this shoe is clearly the rapid draining midsole combined with a mesh upper, which would be ideal for many water activities, including surf or kayak fishing. MSRP $84.99.

The next one kinda puzzles me, but whatever...

This really poofy soled fishing shoe is called the Fat Tire. I don't really know why you'd want such a bulbous sneaker, but Under Armour claims it's "designed to take you farther so you can fish harder." It's got memory foam on the inside, clearly for comfort (perhaps aimed at folks standing in a boat all day?) and a Michelin Wild Gripper rubber bottom for traction. It's definitely unique, and at a price-point of $149.99.

Last but not least is the UA Fish Day Pack, which cosmetically is pretty darn sweet. Fully functional for fishing, this pack has water resistant Storm 1 technology and a PU covered bottom panel for abrasion resistance. At a large 1750 cubic inches it holds a lot, and keeps it organized in several storage compartments. Should you use this more as a fishing travel bag, it also has an internal laptop sleeve that holds a 15" laptop. MSRP $99.99

Other manufacturers of note that you're probably going to want to keep an eye on with great presences at the show were Huk, Breathe Like A Fish, Flood Tide Co., Rep Your Water, Vedavoo, Fincognito, Kast Gear & Souplefly... However, at this point, I've most certainly apparel, waded, & packed you out, so I'll stop while I'm ahead.

As you've probably noticed, I've embedded links to each of the manufacturer websites within each write-up, so if you're looking for more information on any of these products, please click through and pay them a visit!

This is the fourth of six new product overviews from last week's ICAST / IFTD event. If you'd like to see the other entries, please click HERE.

ICAST / IFTD 2015 - Tenkara Tuesday

How could I possibly hit the IFTD side of the show and not look for tenkara stuff?  I mean, c'mon!

Here are some of the tenkara or tenkara-friendly goodies that I scrounged up in wandering up and down the aisles...organized by manufacturer...and ending with a "Best In Show." I hope you enjoy.

TENKARA USA

The Tenkara USA crew was busy at the show, with a prime location near the main casting pond. While they didn't have any new rods to introduce, they had their two newest accessories - the Tenkara Line Keeper and the Mesh Accessory Bag - out to complement their full current assortment of rods.

The Sato Tenkara kit which bundles all of the goodies I just mentioned and then some with an updated rod sock & tube was also featured in the IFTD New Product Showcase within the "Best New Gift Item" category. I'd accept that gift any day!
MSRP $259.00

WETFLY

Wetfly has been on the tenkara scene for a few years now, offering their Back Country complete tenkara kits primarily to e-commerce accounts and sporting goods retailers. While those sets include what one might call "typical" 12 or 13 foot rods, they will be be introducing a shorter addition this Fall.

The new Kodomo Creek tenkara rod is an 8 foot, 6:4 option for those looking to conquer smaller, tighter waters. It will come complete as part of a kit that includes a PVC "Duraleader" line, tippet, flies, rod tube & sock.

MSRP $129.99

ADAM OMERNICK

Ha! Yep, I happened to run into Adam (Zen Fly Fishing Gear) at the New Product Showcase over in the ICAST side of the house. While Zen wasn't showing, he was there for a some appointments and to walk the show. We talked a bit about tenkara carping and other fishing randomness. He's a good guy, glad we crossed paths again and had a chance to chat for a bit.

UMPQUA

Umpqua had a lot of great gear that could be loosely associated with tenkara. Items such as packs, tippet, accessories, you name it. However they also had a fly assortment specifically targeted at tenkara anglers both new and experienced. 

Designed with input from tenkara anglers such as Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, the Tenkara Premium Selection contains 20 flies (16 unique patterns) that give the "simple fly fisher" plenty of options on the water.

Now not to be critical, but in my opinion any "premium selection" without an Ishgaki kebari or a Killer Bug is missing the boat...as both flies carry a special aura around them with American tenkara anglers. Their omission the set just feels incomplete.

That said, there are a bunch of unique flies, and many seemed based on proven Western patterns (like the Prince Nymph in the upper right), with reverse hackle added. Here's a closer look...

L.L. BEAN

While I plan on writing an entire post about the L.L. Bean experience probably tomorrow, the Rapid River Micro chest pack stood out to me, particularly because of the one feature that most chest packs do not have...

At first nothing might stand out to you. It's a well constructed pack with quite a bit of inner capacity. It has a fly patch at the top, built in zingers, and neoprene sleeves on the side to handle things like floatant and hemos. The zippers and pulls are quite good too. I'm a stickler for good zippers.

The shoulder straps are constructed of a lightweight foam mesh and provide a lot of support and balance the weight well. There's nothing worse than a narrow strap digging into the back of your neck like what most chest packs have. You'll also see a D-Ring for net attachment.

Now here's the money shot, and I apologize for the bad photo...but the chest pack also features a drop down water bottle sleeve in the bottom that cinches tight via bungee pull. I'm sure it could carry a different bottled or canned beverage too, if so inclined...

Part of the Spring 2016 fishing line, the Rapid River Micro Chest Pack is a real value, carrying an MSRP of $59.

SHIMANO

I went to the booth. I asked about the new Honryu 44 NP that Dr. Ishigaki designed.
They looked at me like I was crazy. I guess I kinda am.

TITAN ROD VAULT + TENKARA USA

I saved the best for last...

If I had to name a Tenkara "Best In Show" this would be it...a Titan Rod Vault + Tenkara USA collaboration!

You're probably familiar with Titan Rod Vault by now, the bombproof rod carriers that mount to the top of your car or truck and provide extraordinary security and convenience, allowing you to bring your fully-rigged rods with you wherever you go.

Well with the input of Daniel Galhardo (Tenkara USA), Titan has scaled down the size of their flagship TRV-PRO for tenkara anglers!

With capacity for 3 tenkara rods, fully rigged with line and rod spools, the TRV-TUSA is available in standard aluminium finish, or with a Derek DeYoung wrap (pictured) for a slight upcharge.

Available in September 2015 directly through both the Titan Rod Vault and Tenkara USA websites, look for one on the roof of a Subaru Outback, Mini Cooper, or Fiat 500 in a streamside parking lot soon.
MSRP $289.95

So there you go...IFTD 2015 through a tenkara lens. There might have been other tenkara-ish things, but who knows, I must have missed them... In any event, a nice haul of gear to keep the tenkara angler full of options for 2016.

This is the third of six new product overviews from last week's ICAST / IFTD event. If you'd like to see the other entries, please click HERE.

ICAST / IFTD 2015 - L.L. Bean Spring Fly Fishing Preview

Way back in 2007 I took my first casting lessons at an L.L. Bean retail location in South Jersey. I followed that up with my first fly rod & reel purchase, a 3-weight Quest II outfit, which I still have today. Even though L.L. Bean might not produce the flashiest product and don't have a retail model that really falls in line with the rest of the industry, my experience with them has been nothing but a positive one. Solid gear at solid pricepoints, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. They'll always have a place in my personal fly fishing story.

L.L. Bean's presence at ICAST / IFTD was a bit tucked away from the rest of the show, not on the main show floor but in a 3rd floor meeting room. That might seem odd to some, but it's not uncommon when it comes to trade shows, particularly if manufacturers want to host select retailers, have business meetings beyond "meet & greets," provide sanctuary and food, or are vertically integrated and not looking to expand retail presence. My guess is L.L. Bean falls into the last two camps.

In any event, being an "important" member of the media (HA!), I was invited to their luncheon on Thursday to review their Spring 2016 fishing line. The large majority (if not the entire) line was there, but for the purposes of this overview, I'll just concentrate on the new stuff that piqued my interest.

Double L Large Arbor Reel

The venerable Double L reel gets an upgrade in several areas for 2016, most notably going to this large arbor version which allows for quicker line pickup. It maintains most of the same cosmetics and color palette of the prior Double Ls, but also gets a smoother, sealed carbon fiber drag and as visible in the photo above, a more "skeletonized" frame design. It will come in 3 sizes (3/4, 5/6, 7/8) which will retail between $129 & $149.


Rapid River Packs

There will be a whole new line of Rapid River packs that will compliment the Rapid River Vest Pack that is already on the market. I'll concentrate specifically on the Rapid River Sling Pack ($99) in this post, but know there is also a Lumbar Pack ($89), and a Micro Chest Pack ($59) coming as well.
(More on the Micro Chest Pack in tomorrow's Tenkara Tuesday post).

Personally, I thought this was the most compelling of the 3 packs, as it seemed to have a lot of features that anglers are seeking for at a solid price-point. As you can see from the pictures above, there's a place for everything, and everything has it's place. There's a large main compartment with two stacked outer pockets to organize everything big, medium, or small.  The top lid of the pack features a fly patch and the front strap has a built in zinger and hemo sheath. There's also a water bottle sleeve that is visible at the bottom in the picture above.

My biggest issue with slings is that most tend to slide around on your body as you move around, especially when wading and hopping rocks. L.L. Bean solves this problem with a 3-point attachment which keeps the bag put, but easily rotates to access your gear. The shoulder straps also feature perforated foam for comfort. This is a pack I'd really like to test drive on a mountain stream, to 1) see if it matches it's claims, and 2) to see how that 3 point harness works for people like myself with a bit of a belly.


River Tread Pro Wading Boot

Cosmetically, I love the aesthetic of the River Tread Pro Wading Boot. It does a wonderful job of merging the look of a classic wading boot with streamlined modern materials and technology.

Like many of the top wading boots on the market, the River Tread Pro utilizes a quick release BOA closure rather than traditional laces. That seems to be the way the industry is moving, so it is good to see L.L. Bean keeping pace. The boot itself is a non-absorbent TPU coated ripstop shell with Armortex Kevlar reinforced nylon overlays. The benefits of that combination create a lightweight, quick drying boot, that remains durable and supportive.

The rubber Aquastealth outsoles (bottoms) come either regular or studded, and have the familiar hex pattern, in a light brown color. There's actually a picture of the bottoms in the next section. These boots will retail for $179, or $199 with studs.

Now that my Gray Ghost boots have finally bit the dust, I'll be looking hard at these for next Spring.


BOA Stream Cleat

Why did I hold back on showing you the Aquastealth soles on the River Tread Pros? Because you're going to see them here...

I suppose taking a cue from the Patagonia River Crampons, L.L. Bean is releasing its BOA Stream Cleat, which to me, was one of the more intriguing items in the room.

Now note, these photos are of a prototype only, so some things will change, most notable being those gnarly jaws on the bottom, visible in the first photo. Those will be replace with less aggressive carbide studs that will ring the bottom of the forefoot like a U and then in a square on the heel.

Again, BOA technology is used for easy on-off, and the rest of metal hardware will be corrosion resistant stainless steel. While Korkers kind of has the market cornered on replaceable bottomed boots, at only $99, this is an affordable alternative to give a little bit of extra grip to the bottom of your boots without needing screw-in studs. It goes without saying, but this could also be seen as a must for the drift boat fisherman.


Emerger Waders with Superseam

On the surface, there is really nothing remarkable in the features/benefits of these waders. The latest version of the Emerger Waders are pretty basic waders at solid lower price-points, just like the Emerger series in years past.

They are constructed out of flexible, rugged fabric in a fashion that allows for great articulation to allow you to bend over, rock hop, all that stuff. They also come with a waterproof internal pocket, for your wallet, keys, or I suppose cell phone.

But where these versions stand out, is that they've more or less maintained the Emerger price-point, yet have done so while upgrading to Superseam technology. Not familar with Superseam? It is a technique where the pieces of fabric in the waders are bonded together rather than stitched and taped like most inexpensive waders. Net/net proposition is with less holes from sewing, the less likely it is to develop a leak, particularly in the areas that get the most work.

These waders will come in many different "flavors" and are attractively priced at each. Stocking foot ($169), Boot foot ($289), Waist high ($149) and Women's Stocking foot ($169).


There was also quite a bit of apparel present, I didn't post pictures of most of it because this post would go on forever, but here is the brief run down on each:

• Fishing Sweater ($79) - 1/4 zip moisture managing top with plenty of zippered pockets

• Ultralight Packable Wading Jacket ($119) - Waterproof ripstop hooded jacket that weights under a half pound and fits into pocket when not in use 

• Women's Emerger Wading Jacket ($119) - All of the features of the Men's Emerger, appropriately sized for women

• Hybrid Fishing Shirt ($89) - Woven body with stretch knit sleeves which provides great range of motion. 2 upper chest pockets and a caped back

• Cool Performance Knit Crew T-Shirt ($35 SS, $40 LS) - UPF 50+ tee with vertical zipped chest pocket. Built in anti-odor, stain resistance, and moisture wicking,  (The Cool Performance shirt also is pictured in the Rapid River Sling Pack entry above)

• No Fly Zone Cotton Crew T-Shirt ($30 SS, $40 LS) - Lightweight, performance sun shirt treated with No Fly Zone for lotion-free bug protection

• No Fly Zone Lighted Fishing Cap ($35) - L.L. Bean wordmark logo hat with UPF 50+ fabric & Panther Vision LED lighting on brim

• Tropicwear Cap ($15) - Lightweight Tropicwear fabric with moisture wicking sweatband and Velcro closure

Overall, a solid showing by L.L. Bean. Nothing with super sex-appeal (unless you find the new wading boots sexy like I do), but quite a few additions to the line that will meet many an angler's need for solid performance and affordable price-point.

This is the second of six new product overviews from last week's ICAST / IFTD event. If you'd like to see the other entries, please click HERE. 

ICAST / IFTD 2015 - Fishing Kayak & SUP Roundup

So. Many. Boats...

If you're into paddlesports, there was a lot to behold at this year's ICAST & IFTD show. Personally purchasing a fishing kayak a few years ago, I have a special interest in looking at what's out there...although as an admittedly non-expert boater, I'm certain a lot of stuff goes over my head. Fortunately, many were on display in the New Product Showcase sections, so I didn't necessarily have to go hunt them down.

That noted, there were more than a few cool kayaks & SUPs on display, as well as some of the needed accessories that go with them.

In no particular order, here's a recap by manufacturer of what stood out to me...

WILDERNESS SYSTEMS

A very highly anticipated entry from Wilderness Systems, the A.T.A.K. 140 has been receiving quite a bit of buzz since it hit retailer shelves around April or May of this year. Like many of the newer fishing kayaks, the open cockpit has a ton of room to stand up and move around in, and the standard AirPro MAX seat allows for adjustment on the water.

Perhaps the most compelling part, (although not pictured here, sorry), the A.T.A.K. will be compatible with Wilderness Systems' new Motor Drive, which allow anglers to truly fish hands free with the assistance of a rechargeable lithium battery powered electric motor that simply drops through an opening in the hull of the boat.
MSRP $1795 (unpowered)


VIKING

I have to admit, I don't know Viking Kayaks from the next boat, but I found this feature of the Profish Reload Dorado Edition kind of interesting.

Yep, a built in cooler...or Chill Pod, which keeps ice and fish cold for hours on the water. Sure, there are other great features on this sweet boat, like the 3 accessory tracks, 4 Railblaza StarPort bases, 2 Rod holders, a seat, and a rudder...but my eyes go back to the Chill Pod...which evidently isn't a new development, but new to me.  Note: all those cool accessories only come standard with the Dorado edition of the kayak.
MSRP $1999


NUCANOE

NuCanoe sort of gets a bad reputation because to date, the boats it has released to date are not really canoes nor kayaks. They're kind of a tweeners, that many in the kayak crowd seem to disregard due to their size and speed, even though it's stability cannot be argued. Perhaps as a response to this, NuCanoe has released the Pursuit, a more streamlined version of their Frontier model.

The Pursuit takes cues from the Froniter with an open, customizable deck and great stability for stand-up anglers, and adds quad internal rod tubes, paddle storage, rod holders, gear tracks, and spaces specially designed to hold a cooler or tackle crate. It also utilizes a new multi-height seat for comfort and flexibility.

The slimmer silhouette makes the Pursuit a "faster" paddle, something that all NuCanoe critics should enjoy.
MSRP $1599


SEA EAGLE

When I first walked by this boat, I didn't even realize it was an inflatable. I mean look at the beef on this Sea Eagle Inflatable Travel Canoe and all of the accessories mounted to it!

I was even more impressed when I touched the 3" double-walled inflatable hull and saw truly how rigid it was. Again, you'd never know this was an air-filled boat...at least not the kind I think of. Oh, and did I mention it was HUGE! Inflated, it's 16' x 38" and deflated it's 39" x 24" x 12" and stores in a carry bag which can fit in a car trunk. Amazing!

While I have no clue how it paddles, although it claims to be aided by bow & stern molds and rear removable skeg, of all the boats at the show, this was on the one I'll remember for a while.
MSRP $2399


FEELFREE

I'm not certain if FeelFree had a new boat at the show, but they did have a few accessories that might be of interest to kayak anglers, a camo fish bag & a camo crate bag.

The Fish Bag is close cell foam insulated and designed to fit in your kayak for storing and keeping your catch nice and cool. Fortunately, it also has a removable liner to get cleaned or hosed out...because no camo pattern can hide the stink of dead fish.
MSRP $109-$139

The Crate Bag is a Swiss Army knife of functionality for your kayak. Large storage capacity is a given, but it also has side holders that accommodate up to 5 fishing rods and a stern light. Water resistant, you find pockets for plenty of gizmos, such as pliers, maps, etc... and to cap it off, the final neat feature is that it has a pocket in the front that is removable, converting into a waist pack, allowing you to take your gear with you should you hop off to wade the shorline or flats on foot.
MSRP $199


CREEK COMPANY

The Kingfisher Inflatable Fishing SUP from the Creek Company is quite the fishing platform. At 10' x 41" x 6" and only 31 pounds, the Kingfisher touts stability and rigidity and an ultra-convenient package that deflates into an oversized backpack.

The best features on the Kingfisher are the multiple D-ring attachment points & bungee cords along the rails and deck and pre-mounted rod holders. This SUP is geared with one purpose in mind, catching fish.
MSRP $1299.99


SWITCHSUP

Speaking of fishing SUPs, one that really caught my eye was the FishSUP from SwitchSUP. Now the inflatable board here looks like a really solid entry into the inflatable SUP market, but that's really not what I'm talking about, I'm looking at the box on the back.

The FishSUP box is basically a cooler-sized plastic crate (not a cooler), but it has two outrigger pontoons coming out of the side for additional stability. As a person who is balance-challenged at times, I could see how those pontoons could be extremely helpful to anyone a bit intimidated to fish off of their SUP.

The crate also doubles as a seat and integrates a fishing rod holder, paddle holder, beverage holder, tackle box shelf, and holes for stakeout poles. Open the box and you'll find storage for tackle, PFD, collapsible paddle, you name it...and even has wheels for easy transport. The FishSUP works on most SUPs.
MSRP $495


TRUE RECREATION

It was good to see the TrueRec guys at the show. I had featured their DFP kayak on Troutrageous! 2 years ago when it was still in prototype stage and they were trying to raise money on Kickstarter to fund the project. While I don't think the campaign was successful, they continued on and are ready to bring boats to the market!

What makes the DFP unique are the concealed pontoons in the side which are easily deployable for extra stability on the water. These make this kayak an ideal for stand up fishing, or as a platform to dive from.
MSRP $1799


ESTRADA / LIVE WATERSPORTS

Winner of the 2015 "Best In Show" award in the boat/personal watercraft category on the IFTD side of the house, this Estrada Art adorned Live Watersports L2Fish SUP was a sight to see, (even though this picture doesn't do a good job of it)!

Personally, I really dig Eric Estrada's art, so this Signature L2Fish was a really cool collaboration project that takes the already capable catamaran-hulled SUP to an all new level.
MSRP $2699


EDDYLINE

Last, but not least, the eddyline C-135 YakAttack Edition Stratofisher Kayak...which happened to win overall "Best In Show" at the ICAST side of the house.

The C-135 is a 13.5' x  34" high-gloss thermoformed Carbonlite 2000 kayak that is relatively lightweight at 69 pounds, and boasts a 450 pound capacity. The standard version features a very open floor plan and a 4-position Cloud 10 comfort seat. The C-135 was designed to accept trolling motors, stakeout poles, and even a casting bar.

This special YakAttack edition of the boat comes with all of that, plus a ton more YakAttack accessories, including the BlackPak kayak crate, a VisiCarbon Pro safety light, a Zooka Tube rod holder, paddle clips, and several Gear Tracs for additional flexibility.
MSRP $2599


In closing, there was just so much to see and too little time, so I apologize if I missed a manufacturer or product you were curious about. I tried to keep this recap to the novel, notable, and new.

As you've probably noticed, I've embedded links to each of the manufacturer websites within each write-up, so if you're looking for more information on any of these products, please click through and pay them a visit!


This post is also being tagged as part of the recurring "The Quest For The Ultimate Fly Fishing Kayak" series; to view prior entries, click HERE.