The votes are in, and this one comes straight from the show floor.
The Fly Fishing Show runs a multi-stop circuit each winter, moving city to city with a mix of gear, presentations, casting demos, and conservation groups. It draws a wide range of anglers. New anglers trying to figure things out. Experienced anglers looking to handle new gear before the season. Guides, reps, and brands all in one place. It gives you a rare chance to see everything side by side and make your own call.
The 2026 Fly Fishing Show Consumer Choice Awards reflect what anglers handled and talked through across the tour. For most people, this was a first look. They picked up pieces, checked the details, and decided if it fit how they fish, and ballots came after that.
At the top, Scientific Anglers took Best of Show with the Magnitude Smooth Balance Taper fly line. SA also won both fly line categories along with leader and tippet. The line feels clean out of the box. Low memory, durable coating, and a taper that stays steady in close and carries when you need it.
Across the list, a few brands show up again and again. Fishpond across packs, storage, nets, and tying tools. Temple Fork Outfitters offers rods, reels, and combo kits. Grundens across men’s apparel and wading, including the Vector Zip Waders. Orvis in the saltwater reel category with the Hydros.
Some of this gear has already been covered on MidCurrent. The TFO Dispatch series ran last August and landed exactly where you would expect here. A straightforward, affordable setup that gets you on the water with quality and value.
Fishpond’s Stormshadow lineup also saw broad endorsement. The chest pack stands out for its layout and access. The same approach carries into the rolling duffel. It travels clean and holds up.
The Tacky Pescador fly boxes, featured in the 2025 holiday guide, keep flies in place and do not require much thought once it is in your pack. A full review of the new foam Pescador boxes is coming.
Wading gear showed well. The Grundens Vector Zip Waders bring front-zip access and a build that holds up through long days. The Fishpond Grass Sticks Wading Staff took the eco category with a simple and reliable design built from reclaimed materials.
Rooftop carrying systems also drew attention. Riversmith took the category with the Truck Bed River Quiver. MidCurrent has covered the River Quiver lineup in past guides. Rear-entry reel box, multiple mounting options, and the ability to keep rods rigged and ready. It saves time at the start and end of the day.
Step back and the list lines up with what anglers were looking for on the floor. Gear that adds value on the water. Setups that are easy to fish. Storage that keeps things in place. Travel pieces that remove friction from the day.
That carries into the season ahead. Gear that keeps you organized and lets you stay focused on fishing
Here is the complete list of the Consumer Choice Awards Winners
ACCESSORIES & GEAR
- Most Innovative – SnapHatch Fly Fishing System
- Accessories under $50 – Sipping Tippet Eco-Chamber Nippers
- Accessories $50 – $100 – Umpqua Feather Merchants Northfork Small Chest Pack
- Accessories Over $100 – SnapHatch Fly Fishing System
- Artwork – Live Edge Exclusives Custom Fly Tying Desks
- Gift Items – Under $100 – Fishpond Fishpond Tacky Grande Fly Dock – Magpad
- Nets – Fishpond Nomad Canyon Net
- Rooftop Carrying Systems – Riversmith Inc. Truck Bed River Quiver
FLY RODS & REELS:
- Fly Rod – Freshwater – Temple Fork Outfitters Dispatch Rod
- Fly Rod – Saltwater – Temple Fork Outfitters Moment
- Fly Rod – 2-Handed/Spey – Sage Spey R8
- Reel – Freshwater – Temple Fork Outfitters Dispatch Reel
- Reel – Saltwater – Orvis Hydros Reel
- Tenkara Rod – Zen Tenkara Suzume Tri-Zoom Tenkara Rod
- Freshwater Combo Kit – Temple Fork Outfitters Dispatch Combo Kit
- Saltwater Combo Kit – Airlite Aspire Kit
FLY LINES, LEADERS & FLIES:
- Fly Line – Freshwater – Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Trout GP Floating Fly Line
- Fly Line – Saltwater – Scientific Anglers Magnitude Smooth Balance Taper Floating Fly Line
- Leader/Tippet – Scientific Anglers Mastery Leader and Tippet
- Fly Pattern – Freshwater – Umpqua Feather Merchants Jigged Micro Meat
- Fly Pattern – Saltwater – Sight Cast Fishing Company Redfish Cracklin
FLY TYING:
- Fly Tying Materials – Umpqua Feather Merchants Metz Legacy and Signature Graded Saddles
- Fly Tying Tools – Fishpond Fishpond Backwater Fly Tying Kit
- Fly Tying Vises – Renzetti Presentation P2004 Pedestal Base Vise
APPAREL & WADING:
- Men’s – General Apparel – Grundens Tough Sun Masked Hoodie
- Men’s – Outerwear – Grundens Turbulence Insulated Hoodie
- Men’s -Waders – Grundens Vector Zip Waders
- Men’s – Wading Boots – Grundens Rock Armor Wading Boot
- Women’s – General Apparel – Soča The Sun Shirt
- Women’s – Outerwear – Fishpond Fishpond FlyLite Women’s Vest
- Women’s – Waders – Backcountry Skinz AIRBLITZ
- Women’s – Wading Boots – Orvis Women’s Ultralight Wading Boot
- Youth Products – Fishpond Fishpond Maori Trout Kids Hat
PACKS, STORAGE & TRAVEL
- Chest-Pack/Vest – Fishpond Fishpond Stormshadow Chest Pack – Duskwood
- Fly Box/Storage System – Fishpond Fishpond Tacky Pescador Fly Box – Clear Dynamic Foam
- Luggage /Bags/Backpacks – Fishpond Fishpond Stormshadow Medium Rolling Duffel
BOATS, ECO & MORE
- Boat/Personal Watercraft – NRS Approach 120 Orvis Edition
- Eco-Friendly – Fishpond Grass Sticks Wading Staff
- Entertainment/Education – SnapHatch App – AI-Powered Fly Fishing Guide
- Books & Maps – Fly Fishing Pressured Waters
- Insurance (guide & outfitter) – Cross Current Insurance Cross Current Guide Liability Insurance
