Are their any products in the FF world and/ or the bike world that you are particularly interested in right now or have had an opportunity to test out that are really making waves?
In the bike world, Im pretty old fashioned. Ive pretty much ran the same bike since I was 14. I know how I want my bike to feel, and I know the geometry that I like so it feels that way. Sure there have been some great technological advances allowing bike companies to make stronger/lighter bikes.. but for the most part.. a bmx bike is 2 triangles.. so dont try and re-invent the wheel so to speak. When I got the chance to design a signature line of handlebars, and a frame for my long time BMX sponsor Kink. I did exactly that. I knew the exact bars and frame geometry that I liked, and had them produce them but incorporated those new technologies to keep the products as light as possible within a certain pricepoint. The "Badger Bars" ( my signature handlebars) have been produced for the past 7 years now and have been among the most popular in the industry for quite a while. And my signature frame " The Lost Dutchman" was produced for 4 years and was well received as well. So apparently I wasnt alone in my wants and needs of BMX products!
Now in flyfishing. I dont have any rules or history to stand behind. I know what style rod suits my casting style.. and thats about all I care about. Im open to new technologies. Im open to old purist ways as well. everything has its place, and its fun learning all of the different fishing styles associated with these different mindsets. Now to answer the question. I recently had a chance to do a photoshoot for Redington on the Mckenzie river in Oregon. It was a real quick trip in that they needed photos ASAP for a marketing campaign revolving around their new rod lineup. the dually ( two hander) the Butterstick ( classic fiberglass rod) and the most emphasis was given to the Vapen red with its new ( to flyfishing) non traditional cork handle, and X wrap technology. Personally, If I were asked what I thought the perfect fly fishing rod was. I would say the vapen. Its a faster action rod that can do everything. Ive chucked big streamers, nymphed, and thrown little dries. It handled them all perfectly. The rod looks bad ass, black blank w/ red wrapping and detailing, A classic sans-sarif font, from an art nerd perspective its perfect. Radical coloring to match the vibe, but classic simple styling to balance it out. I have long thought that cork handles were barbaric, they fall apart, they get dirty almost instantly, they get slippery when wet.. there are literally thousands of better suited materials for a fishing rod handle.. but I guess people are scared of change. Redington teamed up w/ Wynn grips ( famous grip company in the golf world) to create a handle that is durable, doesnt get slippery, and feels awesome all day. This handle does this no doubt. I feel like its going to take a second for the aesthetic of the non cork handle to catch on but once enough people feel it and really test out its advantages over cork there will be more people switching over. Like everything in life it takes one person, or company to start a trend, I really think that this style handle will be a game changer for the future of Flyfishing Rods. And it says alot about Redington in that they were willing to take a chance, and dive into it head first. To me, Redington is the most exciting brand in fly fishing right now. They have really seen that there is a place for someone like myself in this lifestyle/sport and are pushing their products and company image in an exciting direction. I feel honored that I got to work with them at the cusp of this revolution so to speak, and I truly think that its going to be interesting to see how many people/ companies follow their lead.