With support from both Headhunters, RIO Advisory Team member Mark Raisler, and The Trout Shop, we set up shop, ran airport shuttles, and rigged billions of dollars’ worth of new Sage and Redington rods/reels. One purpose of this annual trip is to get feedback on prototype lines, of which we had many to test. A new ******** style line was particularly popular with all of the guests.
A major impetus for this annual foray is to get dealers better acquainted with RIO product. On this trip the new RIO Perception line was at the forefront. Lack of stretch in the Perception line meant anglers could hook fish at greater distances. The SureFire 3 color scheme also came in handy for anglers who were blowing shots by overcasting. Once they realized the first color change was at 20 feet, and the second at the end of the head, casting got more accurate, more fish were hooked, and guides rejoiced!
For the streamer game the RIO StreamerTip and OutBound Short worked extremely well in the especially shallow and weedy water we experienced. Intermediate tips are a must for the MO as big fish tend to sit in skinny water.
RIO SuppleFlex Leaders and tippet were another in demand item. For technical dry fly fishing these products help land softly and negotiate tricky current seams.