Fly-fishing aficionados of all ages and skill levels—from trout enthusiasts to purveyors of the saltwater flats—were given the unique opportunity to vote for their favorite products among those exhibited at our Fly Fishing Shows held across America this winter and spring.
2023 BIG Winners
The big winners included Ross Reels, which swept both the freshwater and saltwater reel categories with its “Evolution” model. Similarly, Scientific Anglers took top honors for freshwater and saltwater fly lines with the Amplitude Smooth MPX and Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam, respectively. Umpqua’s Thunder Grass hopper was the winning freshwater fly pattern, and its Danger Muffin Crab claimed top spot for saltwater fly. Fly-fishing upstart Skwala won the outerwear and wader categories, and Simms Fishing Products took top honors in six other categories.
2023 Category Winners
- Sunglasses: Bajio Piedra
- Fly Rod (freshwater): Hardy Aydon
- Fly Rod (saltwater): Thomas & Thomas Sextant
- Fly Reel (freshwater): Ross Evolution FS
- Fly Reel (saltwater): Ross Evolution FS
- Men’s Waders: Skwala Carbon
- Women’s Wading Boots: Miss Mayfly Moxie
- Youth Product: Simms Kids Tributary Stockingfoot Wader
- Accessories under $50: Simms Taco Wader Bag
- Accessories $50-100: Norvise Automatic Fly Tying Bobbin
- Accessories over $100: Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length Net
- Artwork: Cody’s Fish Brown Trout License Plate Art
- Boat (personal watercraft): Watermaster Kodiak Raft Package
- Books and Maps: Joe Humphrey’s Trout Tactics (revised edition)
- Chestpack/Vest: Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack
- Eco-Friendly Product: Simms Fall Run Insulated Hoody
- Entertainment/Education: “Trout and Feather” (YouTube)
- Fly Box: Tacky Original River Mag Box
- Fly Hooks: Tie! Jig Force Sizes #20 and #22 by Fulling Mill
- Fly Line (freshwater): Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
- Fly Line (saltwater): Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam
- Fly Pattern (freshwater): Umpqua Thunder Grass Hopper
- Fly Pattern (saltwater): Umpqua Danger Muffin Crab
- Fly Rod (Two-Handed/Spey): Temple Fork Outfitters Pro III
- Fly Rod (Freshwater): Hardy Aydon
- Fly Rod (Freshwater): Hardy Aydon
- Fly Rod (Saltwater): Thomas & Thomas Sextant
- Fly-Tying Materials: Umpqua Jig Bombs
- Fly-Tying Tools: Norvise Automatic Fly-Tying Bobbin
- Fly Tying Vise: Renzetti Limited Edition Traveler
- Freshwater Combo Kit: CD Fishing All Fly Ultimate Plus
- Gift Items (under $100): Atollas Fly Caddy
- Insurance (guide and outfitter): Cross Current Guide Liability Insurance
- Leader/Tippet: Scientific Anglers
- Luggage/Backpack: Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Backpack
- Men’s General Apparel: Rep Your Water Merino Wool Blend Retro Camo Sun Hoody
- Men’s Outerwear: Skwala Fusion 3/2 Puffy
- Tenkara Rod: Tenkara Tanuki Pocket Ninja
- Women’s General Apparel: Simms Solarflex Cooling Hoody
