IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO (August 1, 2017) – RIO Products, manufacturers of fly lines, leaders, and tippet material, brings new technology to tropical saltwater fly lines with the DirectCore Flats Pro line.

RIO’s new flagship saltwater fly line is designed for anglers hitting tropical flats in search of bonefish, permit and tarpon. The line is built on RIO’s new DirectCore, a proprietary low-memory, low-stretch monofilament core that retains its stiffness in tropical heat yet lies straight on the water without curl or retraction. The core has 30 percent less stretch than regular tropical saltwater fly lines and ensures solid strip sets and shortened fight times.

In addition to the new core, this line features RIO’s SureFire technology, which has been used in RIO’s freshwater fly lines in the past. This triple color, distance-marking design takes the guesswork out of accuracy and distance control allowing anglers to make higher percentage shots to cruising targets.

The DirectCore Flats Pro line is available in floating models and a StealthTip option that features a full-float head with six feet of clear intermediate at the tip. This nearly invisible front section allows for shorter leaders and easier, more accurate casts, while the increased density provides greater wind penetration. Each line is built with a front taper that loads easily at close range, and with a mid-length head and extended back taper that provides stability for fast, accurate long-distance casts.

At the recent industry awards show, the DirectCore Flats Pro line won “Best New Fly Line for 2018” at the European trade show EFTTEX, “Best New Saltwater Fly Line for 2018” at the US trade show IFTD, and “Best New Fly Line” at the Australian Fishing Trade Show.

The DirectCore Flats Pro line is available in WF6F to WF12F in an easy to see Aqua/Orange/Sand color or a subtle Gray/Sand/Kelp option. The DirectCore Flats Pro StealthTip line is available in WF8F/I to WF12F/I. All models are available at RIO dealers for $119.99.

The Winston crew has been busy designing rods. Check out the specs on the Kairos rod series by clicking here.

Winston unveiled the Nimbus–their new fly rod series for 2018. Check out the specs by clicking here.

The Swisher name is no stranger to new and innovate trout patterns. In the 80s Doug Swisher cowrote the best-selling fly-fishing book of all time, Selective Trout. Now he and his wife, Sharon, have a new book that’s definitely worth checking out. Flies for Selective Trout: Complete Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Tie the Newest Swisher Flies is filled with new recipes and tying instructions for flies that will provide anglers with a few more options when the trout get tight-lipped. The book has 33 patterns in all, ranging from dry flies to nymphs to streamers. Click here to check out the book.

The R.L. Winston Rod Co. has two new fly rods they’re releasing summer 2017: the Nimbus and the Kairos. Last week they invited Fly Fusion editor, Derek Bird, to their factory in Twin Bridges, Montana for a sneak peek.

After testing out the Nimbus he said, “I walked through the factory and watched how Winston makes their rods. There’s a lot of care that goes into each rod right from cutting and wrapping the graphite all the way through to the hand-written rod inscription. It’s an impressive process. After visiting the factory, they put me on a small spring creek with the new Nimbus. The entire time I was casting I felt in touch with the rod; it has an extremely smooth casting feel. The Nimbus is a sensitive rod with tons of power.”

According to Winston, the Nimbus is “a completely new design inspired by our premium Boron rods. Using the same multi modulus graphite as our Boron rods along with versatile mid-tip flex tapers, the Nimbus provides all the core attributes and qualities one has come to expect from a Winston. Incredibly smooth casting, the Nimbus’ progressive action delivers unmatched all-graphite performance, with both the power and finesse to fish even the most challenging situations. Offered in a full range of freshwater, saltwater, and spey models, Nimbus rods are finished in a beautiful Big Sky Blue color and sport premium componentry and our renowned handwritten rod inscription. Proudly designed and produced in Twin Bridges, Montana, the Nimbus is simply the best all-graphite fly rod on the market.”

Around this time of year, the Fly Fusion Team begins to hear rumours about what’s on the horizon for new fly-fishing gear. This year the first rumour to materialize comes from the R.L. Winston Fly Rod Company. Last week they invited editor, Derek Bird,  down to Montana to test out two new rods they plan to release this summer.  He tested  the new Winston Kairos on a larger stream throwing streamers to browns. After testing the rod he said, “The Kairos is a slick casting, fast action rod that handles streamers (and anything else I threw) with ease, even in the wind. The Kairos has an upper end feel without the upper end price tag.”

According to Winston, “The Kairos features a complete series of freshwater, saltwater, and spey models. With a modern, fast action, the Kairos provides the perfect blend of speed and smoothness, allowing any angler to enjoy a wide variety of fishing applications. Kairos rods showcase a striking Clear Graphite finish complemented by Winston Green thread wraps and our classic hand-written rod inscription as the final touch. Proudly designed and built by anglers in Twin Bridges, Montana.”

Keep your eyes open for it’s release.