Manufacturers’ representatives play a crucial role in the fly fishing industry, bringing together products and retailers so that consumers have access to the latest and greatest gear. No one better understands how to get the most out of a brand’s particular line of products than does its rep.

We are pleased to have several manufacturers’ representatives at the festival and invite attendees to get to know them and their quality product lines!

 

Banning Collins, the manufacturer’s representative for two of the biggest names in fly fishing, Temple Fork Outfitters and Umpqua Feather Merchants, was born in Vail, where his passion for fishing started with his family and only grew with opportunities to live on Florida’s coastal waters and South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island.

His family’s move to Austin marked the beginning of his career in fly fishing: he worked at The Austin Angler, gaining valuable knowledge and perspective from the great staff everyone remembers so well. Collins will always remember his first fish on the fly rod on the Blanco River. Leaving Austin after graduating high school, he moved back to Colorado where he studied at Colorado State University and started his professional guiding career in Vail. After many stops throughout the northern Rockies and much time in northwest Montana, he found his way back to Texas.

Currently, Collins resides with his wife, daughter, and his pointer Ruby back in Austin, where he is involved in fly fishing and conventional tackle consulting and sales. He continues to make his avocation his vocation, parlaying his background into new experiences and friendships and many, many miles on the road.

 

Darin Jacober has been the sales rep for Sage, Redington, and RIO for 5 years and in the outdoor industry for 15 years. Before that Darin worked as a hunting and fishing guide in Montana and South Texas. He has loved the outdoors since he was a kid and spent all of his time either in a stand, on the stream, or alongside his favorite crappie hole! He now resides in Columbia, Missouri, with his wife and two young boys. Stop by the Sage-Redington demo trailer–located outside the main exhibition hall–to cast some of their latest rods.

 

Tom Jindra will represent the Cortland Line Company and Chota Outdoor Gear at the Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival.

A resident of New Orleans, Jindra is a past president of the Federation of Fly Fishers and chaired FFF’s Casting Instructor Certification Program. In 2011, the Federation honored Jindra with its highest award, the Order of the Lapis Lazuli. He is certified by FFF as a Master Casting Instructor.

Jindra is a saltwater specialist, but he’s fished for many species around the world, from Alaska to Argentina and from New Zealand to Europe and the British Isles.

 

John Swartz, Salt Water Outfitter/Guide for 20+ years and now owner of JMS Enterprises, a multi category manufacturer’s rep firm in the South Central USA. We will be presenting some the most world renown names in fly fishing Hardy, Fenwick, Pflueger, Hodgman, and more. Stop by the Hardy Booth or the by Tailwaters Fly Fishing Company’s Booth ( The Official Hardy Premier Dealer in the Dallas, TX area) to put your hands on some of the best made award winning fly fishing products in the world. We will have most products on hand for demonstration and casting.