The Underground’s Crack Team of Reporters (just me actually – Singlebarbed wouldn’t leave his damned pikeminnows for even a day) will soon be winging our way to the Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver, so in keeping with what lies ahead, I’ve decided it’s Fly Fishing Industry Week here on the Underground.
What does that mean to you – my lazy, shiftless valued readers?
It means this week’s posts (and the first half of next week’s – when I’m actually at the show) will focus on the industry more than the act, and naturally, it’s a theme that invites a lot of commentary from the Undergrounders.
After all, snarky comments about another’s guy’s casting style are liable to start a fight; snarky comments about the fly fishing industry are classified as focus group research.
(See the difference? One gets you beat up, the other makes you seem smart.)
For example, my piece about bamboo fly rod builders weathering the recession focused on a little-analyzed corner of the industry, and generated some thoughtful comments.
Waiting in the wings are a few thoughts about the future of fly fishing media, the Brownliner movement, new gear, and more.
Naturally, once I’m at the FFR show, expect the kind of outsider commentary that made last year’s coverage some of the highest-read stuff on the Underground.
Look for more soon – and get ready to fire up your Industry Pundit persona (expect a few polls too).
It’s time for the Undergrounders to save fly fishing from itself.
Do you go with a “TroutUnderground” t-shirt on in the hope of picking up free stuff?
Alistair
Alistair(Quote)
Nope, this year it’s “Trout Underground” bottled water he’s handing out.
The production line is fairly impressive, a couple of garden hoses and a dog with a taste for lexan…
kbarton10(Quote)
Risky business that bottled water – look what happened to Coca Cola ;-)
Alistair(Quote)
It’s Healdsburg one day and an industry convention the next. You’re really living the life!
SmellsLikeFish(Quote)
Alistair: This trip to Denver is being done on the cheap; I’ll probably need to steal some attendee’s wallet if I’m going to eat while I’m there. So no t-shirt.
Kbarton: “Underground Springs” does have a nice ring to it….
Smells: As soon as traveling becomes more fun than fly fishing, then I’ll be living the life…
Tom Chandler(Quote)
You’ll have minimal cred without a shirt. A Hanes Beefy tee and a glitter marker can’t cost that much.
I’m sure Singlebarbed would be happy to design one guaranteed to turn heads at the show.
SMJ(Quote)
But everybody’s already wearing the Official Uniform of the Fly Fishing Industry – some flavor of plastic shirt with the vented pits.
I’m thinking of touring the floor wearing breathable waders. When asked why I was wearing them, I’d look at them and say “what waders?”
Tom Chandler(Quote)
Hey Tom – see you out there. My big show day is going to be Monday as I will be fishing on Sunday. If you take a notion to join us let me know.
Lee
PS. I hope they let us in. I still havently got my credentials and they don’t seem to answer the emails.
Murdock(Quote)
Same here; sent my kit in long ago, haven’t received anything, and no answer to this morning’s email.
I’m arriving midday Sunday, so Monday’s my big day too (fly out Tuesday afternoon). It’s a short trip this year, so manufacturers will only have a limited time to shower me with equipment
in return for favorable coveragefor testing in the Underground’s Cutting Edge Test Labs.Tom Chandler(Quote)
Well it makes me feel better that you didn’t get a packet either. At least we can crash the gate together if they try to keep the riff raff out. I’m taking my badge from last year just in case.
Lets get together for an adult beverage.
Murdock(Quote)