Preferred Businesses
I've been in the sporting goods industry since about the time the Beatles came to America. And I've been fly fishing since Elvis hit the airwaves. Over the decades, I've seen literally hundreds upon hundreds of products and businesses come and go. And I've seen a few stick around. When you've been watching folks come and go as long as I have, you start to notice repeating patterns. You begin to realize what makes some businesses, products, and even individuals successful and others failures. You get to where you can "see it coming" long before it becomes apparent to the typical observer.
Here are some companies and people I can recommend with confidence with links to their websites:
Custom rod builder from Chico, California. Former rod-finisher for Powell Rod Co. who left when the Powells sold the company and formed his own shop. Best in the business. You will pay and wait for this kind of artistry and craftsmanship, but it is worth it! Jim also does all the rod building for Hexagraph.
British maker of the finest overall line-up of fly lines on planet Earth. They make some other good stuff, too. But I really love their fly lines. The US distributor for Snowbee is Snake River Outfitters and the link takes you to the Snowbee site and SRO's contact info.
I started ordering from them when they were the new kid in town, but today Wapsi is the largest distributor of fly fishing and tying products in the world. They got there by slow, steady growth built upon the concept of sticking with what you do well and never over-extending yourself. Thus, they deliver what they say they will deliver. Headquartered in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
The youngest company on my list has certainly been around long enough and racked up enough consistent success in their 15 year history to prove they're here to stay. And owner, Rick Pope, is a forward-leaning visionary with "old school" values. That combination rarely fails at anything over the long haul! The base concept of high quality rods, reels, and even some other fishing products at prices that anyone can afford is being very well executed by TFO. I've met the entire team and inspected their entire product line. Any fly shop that isn't carrying this brand needs to reexamine that decision.
It's just not conceivable to leave Steve and Tim Rajeff off of this list. Their Airflo fly lines are a close second to Snowbee lines in my mind and for certain specific lines I will choose an Airflo over a Snowbee. The Echo youth rod, the Echo Gecko, is the best rod for kids I've ever seen. And the Echo Practice Rod is the best pure fly casting teaching tool that has come out in a long time.