Colorado Fly Fishing Blog - The Flyfisher

The iPhone Holiday List for Fly Anglers

It is crunch time for the holiday season and you may have heard the rumblings from your mom, wife, sibling and/or significant other, “You have everything fly fishing related so what do you want?”

 

This is the perfect time for the last minute items to fill out the wish list and hope that you don’t get another pair of socks or a tie that you won’t wear.

 

I have already received mine, a new iPhone, and have tricked it out for fly fishing. You ask how… Start on the outside and then work into the overall functionality – the apps.

 

Cases:

Montana Fly Company River Camo designs are a necessity. They are the only one’s who have reached out to the fly fishing enthusiasts with several fishing designs on cases that will display your passion for fishing.

 

I am fond of the rainbow trout, brown trout and river rock design. They even have a bass and tarpon designs to change your case with the seasons. And if you like to hunt, they even have a nice camo design. I can honestly say that it is better to see the case in person and have shared some photos for you, but breakdown and get the sleek case.

 

If this does not grab your fancy, wait until this spring to see the new set of riverside tools that Montana Fly Company rolls out with these same fish designs. From seeing all of the cases in person, I am holding out for new tools so I can wade with a new look.

 

The other case to have for the serious angler who MUST have a phone by the water is the Otter Box. This waterproof box is rugged and able to protect your iPhone in the case you bump into something or let it fall into the drink. I have not tested the box in the water, nor do I plan on trying it. I will use this case in the summer when I decide it is necessary to Tweet and Facebook from the bank.

 

 

Car Chargers:

You can not have a phone without a car charger. This is a necessity. Belkin makes a nice charger with a long cord. One tip I read was to make sure your vehicle is started before plugging in your iPhone. Also, disconnect your iPhone before shutting off your vehicle. They say there is a spike in power during these moments which is not good for any technology.

 

Apps:

Last but not least. This is the fun part of the iPhone. To date there are several apps that can make your journey to and on the river that much more enjoyable. Some may even help you find your way out of the woods to your car.

 

I have stumbled into the following apps and recommend their use (most of them are free):

 

·         Weather, AccuWeather, MyRadar, myAltitude, Sunrise & Set

·         Weather, AccuWeather and My Radar allow you to check and store various locations for current weather and forecasts as well see what you may be heading towards.

·         MyAltitude is a neat app in letting you know your current elevation.

·         Sunrise & Set is good to have so you can plan on when to leave for the river so you can hit the water at first light.

·         iFirstAid, ICE 123 (In Case of Emergency)

·         Both are useful and good apps to have for an emergency. The iFirstAid app is handy and provides solid information in what the do in variety of instances.

·         ICE 123 is a good app that provides easy access to contact numbers for you to call or an emergency responder to call. EMS personnel are also being instructed to look for this app icon if they find someone with an iPhone.

·         AAA Discounts and AAA Roadside

·         If you are a member of AAA, input your account number and if you need roadside assistance, tap the button and a message is sent using the phone’s GPS technology to request help.

·         The AAA Discounts app is attractive for when the fishing is too good to leave and you need to find a place to crash or eat.

·         Starbucks

·         If you are in need of a cup of jo or one of those fancy flavored coffee beverages, there is a link inside the app that will find the closest coffee house.

·         AroundMe, Google Earth, Maps

·         Lastly are my three favorites. These can be used to find a new section of water to fish or for the end of the day story time at the local pub.

 

Give them a chance and you may find yourself rolling to the river via technology. I am also considering the purchase of River Guide for Kayakers, which is a resource for current river flows across the country. I am researching this and trying to find out how current their reports are before dropping the app cost of $4.99. In the meantime, bookmark the Colorado DOW website for current river flows.

 

I am also reviewing the Hatch Lite app that has bug samples and recommended flies. So far I think this application works best when trying flies. The last app I am considering is one of the many knot apps as this could be a useful tool in showing clients various knots. I will have to keep you posted.

 

Enjoy your holiday season.

 

 

Anthony Bartkowski

Pro Staff Guide

Hatch Fly Fishing Reels Pro Staff Member

FlyFishing Retailer Show Squared

We just received a letter from Kenji Haroutunian, the Group Show Director for FlyFishing Retailer and Outdoor Retailer, informing the fly fishing industry that the 2010 FlyFishing Retailer World Trade Expo will now be melded into the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show in Salt Lake City, Aug. 3-6. These shows are produced and owned by Nielsen Business Media.

 

Only a couple hours later on Dec. 1, the American FlyFishing Trade Association (AFFTA) issued a press release announcing that it is researching other avenues to conduct another industry specific trade show.

 

What does this mean?

 

Apparently there will be two industry specific shows in 2010. The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market will have one and the American FlyFishing Trade Association will have another. It seems that run-off conditions now exist in December as to the location of the true FlyFishing Retailer Show.

 

“Since April, the Board of Directors has been working diligently with Nielsen to consider a wide range of options and combinations for FFR,” said Berlin. “Because of confidentiality and non-compete provisions in the Nielsen agreement, the AFFTA Board has been unable to notify the industry of the on-going discussions or issue a press release on the status of the show. Now that AFFTA and Nielsen are no longer contractually obligated, the AFFTA Board is considering multiple options for a 2010 fly fishing industry trade show, including hosting a standalone show or combining with an existing show.“

 

There were rumblings on the show floor in September that this was happening. I approached the AFFTA booth during the 2009 show to inquire and even questioned them on the show attendance but was given no satisfaction – sort of like Mick Jager of the Rolling Stones. In mid-October, Moldychum reported that AFFTA rejected a proposal to merge the two shows.

 

In this rejected proposal from Nielsen Business Media was the lack of floor space for the fly fishing industry to successfully conduct its “show within in a show” concept. There were other detracting factors for not accepting the Outdoor Retailer merge that included time of year and no casting ponds. AFFTA terminated the agreement with Nielsen on Monday.

 

“It is now time for AFFTA to move on and determine its next course of action,” said Alan Gnann, AFFTA Chairman.

 

Now the industry will have to select what to do in 2010. How is the industry going to react to this?

 

Part of the Nielsen Business Media FlyFishing Retailer Announcement Letter on Dec. 1, 2009:

 

Fly Fishing Industry and Outdoor Retailer to Join Forces in 2010
From our 30 years of experience producing scores of specialty-sports tradeshows including 11 years producing FlyFishing Retailer, it is clear that the fly fishing marketplace will be better served now and in the future by expanding it’s reach to include the overall outdoor specialty marketplace. We are convinced that the best opportunity to grow as a market, and build on the core strength inherent in the Fly Fishing market, is to be connected to a larger collection of relevant businesses at Outdoor Retailer. Therefore, the entire Fly Fishing industry is invited to join Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow in 2010 as the Fly-Fishing Retailer Trade Expo will no longer be held in Denver

Haroutunian elaborates about the crossover from fly fishing to outdoor activities and points out that over 25 percent of the fly fishing retailers already exhibit at the Outdoor Retailer.

 

The mom and pop manufacturers may get lost on the Salt Palace Convention Center’s large floor in 2010. The number of booths at the 2009 FlyFishing Retailer show was considerably less, but that is understandable with the economy. It will be interesting to see what this will look like next summer.

 

According to the AFFTA press release, Berlin promises to keep the fly fishing industry up-to-date on AFFTA’s plans for a 2010 fly fishing industry trade show.

 

The Outdoor Retailer will have to answer some major questions for the fly fishing industry:

 

1.     Registration fees: The assumption is that the attendees will have a larger expense for registration. In reviewing the registration fees for the 2009 Outdoor Retailer it was $100 to $200 per person depending on when you submit your registration. There was not any information for the 2010 show except dates and location. My registration fee for the 2009 FlyFishing Retailer Show was $20.

2.     Where will the fly fishing booths be located? Will the fly fishing specific companies be sprinkled amongst the others?

3.     Will the Outdoor retailer Summer Market Product Testing area allow attendees to cast rods throughout the three-day event? This was a great feature at the FlyFishing Retailer as I could test a couple of rods each day while still attending other meetings.

4.     By having the show in August, how will you attract guides and the local retailers to attend when this is the peak season doubled with the increase in registration fees? This appears one way to alienate one demographic that is key in showing the various new products to consumers at no charge.

 

The inclusion into a larger show for the fly fishing industry will possibly open doors for our niche market and expose our beloved sport to others. For the most part, fly fishing products are sold in specialty shops that offer a unique environment to the consumers. But on the other hand, the sport has been intrigued in identifying ways to expand our sport to others and this could be one of these winning moments that is needed to explode the next growth segment.

 

So will AFFTA contact the American Sportfishing Association to see if there is an interest in becoming a part of their ICAST show? The 2010 ICAST show is set for the Las Vegas Convention Center, July 14-16.

 

Our run-off is typically in June or July but the industry has just encountered another muddy water condition. It will be interesting to see the battle of the shows over the next couple of months. Where and who will the industry support?

 

The Flyfisher Guide Service will keep you posted as this continues to evolve.

 

 

Anthony Bartkowski

Pro Staff Guide

Hatch Fly Fishing Reels Pro Staff