Fly Fishing Purchases Grow, First Ever Report Released

March 25, 2011
Industry News Archive

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Sales of fly fishing gear continued to show impressive gains with 59.3 percent of anglers reporting they bought fly fishing tackle in 2010. That was an increase of 4.1 percent over 2009. These findings, along with detailed information on the most purchased fly fishing brands, type of specific fly fishing gear bought, types of fish sought and fly angler demographics, are all reported on in Southwick Associates first ever comprehensive Fly Fishing Market Survey.

Additional key findings of the 2010 Fly Fishing Market Survey: flies were the most purchased type of fly fishing gear accounting for 60.9 percent of fly tackle transactions, Temple Fork Outfitters was the most purchased fly rod (15.4 percent of purchases), Orvis was the most purchased reel (23.5 percent) and trout remains king, sought by 66.3 percent of dedicated fly fisherman.

“The data we are able to collect specific to fly fishing each year continues to grow as part of our overall efforts to measure angler habits and purchases,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com  and AnglerSurvey.com . “Given the increased interest in fly fishing and the types of information we have collected, it was time to release a more comprehensive report dedicated to the sport.”

The report presents detailed information that will prove beneficial to game agencies, fly fishing tackle manufacturers and the outdoor media that covers fly fishing through television, radio, magazines and the web. The summary is available to members of the media for use in their outdoor coverage and, for only $975, the report is annually available. For more information on purchasing a subscription to Southwick’s survey results, email Rob@Southwickassociates.com.

Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in the surveys conducted on HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.