News

Redband Sports Group and Wisco Outfitters will represent St Croix Rod’s growing fly fishing portfolio and brand in key fly-fishing regions of the US.

Redband Sports will represent retailers in Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Meanwhile, Wisco Outfitters will assist existing and prospective St Croix Fly dealers in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Led by Joe Amend, Redband Sports Group enjoys a 15-year history of serving top outdoor manufacturers throughout the American Northwest. The region is home to some of the most significant retailers in the fly-fishing industry.

Joe explained: “These states have helped foster our entire fly-fishing economy. Their exceptional resources and fisheries have created a culture where fly-fishing at the centre of day-to-day life. And the retail base that developed to support this culture has expanded exponentially via well-executed e-commerce, and now serves the needs of fly-anglers from the rest of the nation and around the world.” 

St Croix Fly Director of Sales, Zack Dalton, echoed Joe’s assessment, saying shops in these states have been successful in expanding their online sales for a variety of reasons, most of which are directly attributable to expertise and trust.

He added: “They create great experiences for anglers who walk through their doors, including the countless visitors who travel to fish from other states, regions, and countries.

“That may be where it started, but they’ve been able to retain those customers and attract new ones with well-curated online retail experiences that provide the high level of service fly-fishing customers demand.”

Led by Matt Kwitek, formerly of Dry Fly Sales, Wisco Outfitters will provide sales representation to 12 Midwest states. St Croix Fly was previously represented in this territory by the Dry Fly Sales agency and its owners, Tony and Kim Ferrie, who recently announced their retirement.

Matt said: “My dad was a prolific, well-known fisherman and got me into fly fishing pretty early. “He was the fly shop manager at Bob’s Bait and Tackle in Green Bay for years and was also a guide and a professional tyer. I grew up with fly fishing and it stuck with me. I eventually crossed paths with Kim and Tony, who gave me an opportunity to start working with them, and that started my journey as a fly rep.”

He continued: “We have shops that have been serving anglers for decades around established fisheries, plus newer fly shops that have emerged to meet the specialized needs of anglers in specific fisheries and geographic areas, and I’m 100 per cent committed to serving the individual needs of every one of them”

Zack said: “I’m stoked to have Matt on board, continuing an unbroken, high level of service to our Midwestern dealers. He has deep associations with quality retailers in this diverse and important region and carries his own fly-fishing passions and firsthand experiences with our brand into those relationships.”
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