Every year there are a lot of new products that hit the market. From new rods and reels all the way down to the gadget that we all can’t do without. Most of the time we all know about the new rod that is supposed to be the tool that changes everything. Or, the reel that took years to design and is going to change the world. Of course as a retailer we have to be on top of anything that is new in the world of fly fishing. So, we meet with reps, manufacturers and go to trade shows. We used to spend 3 days a year walking the entire IFTD (International Fly Tackle Dealer) show to make sure that we didn’t miss out on any unique new products. Well, since that isn’t happening anymore we have to rely on the manufacturers and reps to show them to us each Fall.
This year we’ve found some really cool stuff that we believe is worthy of mentioning for 2025. Some of it we can’t quite talk about yet, while other items are already in the shop and selling well. The following is a list of The Fly Shop® staffs favorites and why:
Patagonia Men’s R1 Air Zip-Neck
Bryan Quick (Director of Outfitters)
We’ve had the Women’s version sitting in front of my desk for the past year and soooo many people have been eyeing them only to discover it’s the Women’s section. Which is why I’m stoked we have the Men’s this season. In fact, I purchased mine this last December because I couldn’t wait. For something to wear around the house to take the chill off, or as an added layer underneath a jacket for those cooler mornings on the river, the R1 Air Zip-Neck is perfect and super comfy. It has minimum bulk, and the sleeves are tailored pretty tight, so don’t go small if you are in between sizes. And this is why I love it, nothing gets in the way when you’re bombing casts with your two hander on the river. A bonus is the material sheds water quickly if you dip your arm in the river tailing a fish or retrieving a loose reel spool.
Winston PURE 2 Fly Rod
Erik Argotti (Travel Associate)
I had the pleasure of taking two of these to Argentina and Chile recently and I was really impressed. My original thought was that I’d use them for dry fly fishing, but what I realized throughout the weeks was that they were great for nymphing and streamer fishing as well. The action on these is very smooth and they are a dream to cast and fish. The sensitive tip sections allow for a lot of feel between the grip and the fly. Not to mention that these rods are absolutely stunning in look with the high gloss Winston finish and the burl wood insert. If you are interested in a new trout rod, then I’d highly recommend giving the Winston PURE 2 a shot, you won’t be disappointed.
Fly Banjo
Terry Jepsen (Chief Operating Officer)
I was told about this product by my friend Karlie Roland. She was in Redding visiting The Fly Shop® when we were doing product selection for the catalog and was super excited about this little silicone fly dryer. She told me she knew the people that are making them and that I had to see them and give them a try. I was skeptical at best. She later reached out to her friends and they sent me a couple of samples to check out. I scanned the QR code on the package and watched the video while holding these two Banjo’s in my hand. For this price, these are an absolute must have. Dry your flies with the strum of your finger! The ideal tool for any dry fly angler, especially at dusk.
Galvan Swing Spey Reel
Joel Crandall (Retail Associate)
When the Swing reel was released late last fall I had a great time making a short Instagram reel on this product. Of course, I’m a lover of all the Galvan reels, so I was an easy sell. This fully caged, beautiful reel is now in my own personal lineup and when I’m two-hand fishing it’s the only reel I use. The sleek finish is perfect, not too gaudy or shiny. With 5 great size options, you can use these for trout Spey or for swinging for King Salmon. The drag will stop just about anything as Galvan used the same drag they use on their Grip series of saltwater reels.
Riversmith Convoy Gear Roll
Zack Thurman (Retail & Inventory Manager)
This is one of the coolest new products I’ve seen in several years. I’ve been in fly fishing and purchasing for The Fly Shop® for years and so I’m not that easily impressed with new products. But this one got my attention right away. It’s even hard to show how great this product is just from a couple of images. It’s best to watch the video. I love this new gear roll for its simple, yet abundant, storage as well as how easy it makes it to transport your entire gear set. Just load it up and you’ll have everything at your fingertips. Multiple options for carrying, including backpack straps for those deep mountain lake adventures. The removable changing mat makes it comfortable to gear up or dress down at the start and end of the day.
Winston Bamboo Fly Rods
Shannon Engh (Retail Associate)
I’m not a young buck anymore and I certainly remember bamboo and fiberglass rods. Honestly, I love the action of these older style rods and bamboo is just a special piece of equipment. The slower action is excellent for dry fly and small nymph fishing on small streams. Of course, these aren’t your everyday fly rods nowadays, but they are something unique for those wanting to go back in time and feel that special action that one can only find in bamboo. We haven’t had bamboo in the shop in all the years that I’ve worked here, so I’m stoked to have a bit of history in the store. If you are interested in the history of Winston Bamboo, you can check out the blog post we wrote previously – “Winston Bamboo – The History”.
Fishpond Stormshadow Rolling Carry-On
Jordan Taylor (Outfitters Associate)
I love this new carry-on so much that I previously wrote a Gear Review on it. Over the years, I’ve never quite found “the one.” I’ve tried countless bags, but I can’t even remember the last time I used the same luggage for a trip. There always seems to be someone willing to lend me a bag, and honestly, I never thought of my carry-on as an essential piece of gear. Maybe it’s because I’ve had so many duds in the past… But that all changed when I decided to upgrade to the Stormshadow Rolling Carry-On from Fishpond. The Stormshadow features two main compartments that make it so easy to stay organized. The bottom features a solid, reinforced shell to protect fragile items when the flight attendants are stowing additional bags and slamming down the overhead bins during those “completely full flights” we’re all familiar with.
Korkers Women’s Bantam Lite Wading Boot
Kianna Chao (Retail Associate)
These new boots from Korkers are impressive. I have small feet and it has been a challenge to fit into a great pair of boots. Some are too tight, while others allow my feet to move around in the toe box too much. These new boots from Korkers are perfect! The dual soles allow me to use the rubber for hiking into the fishery and swapping to the felt for on/in the water. I really like how lightweight they are and how they remind me of a hiking boot just as much as a wading boot. I would highly recommend these boots for all women anglers.
If you didn’t see something that you are looking for, we suggest you checkout our 2025 Fly Fishing Catalog & Travel Guide. We note all new products for 2025 in the publication with a “trout icon”.
