The ever-growing momentum behind the Abel and Ross reel brands received a further boost at this week’s ICAST show. “We have seen a greater volume of dealers than we did last year,” said David Dragoo, President of Mayfly Outdoors, the investment group that owns both brands.

“This is the result of consumers walking into shops and asking for our products. That means that dealers will want to stock them, which is very positive.” Mayfly acquired Californian company Abel Automatics in December 2012. Ross Reels, located in Colorado, was purchased from Orvis a year later. Dragoo has avoided making major changes to the businesses. “A lot of good corporate practices were in place and the best of those have been retained. But we been innovating products faster and consumers have responded.
The operations are more dynamic.”

Mayfly attended EFTTEX for the first time in June and was encouraged by the response. Dragoo and his team are now considering attending next year’s show in Budapest, Hungary. “Dealers now have a compelling reason to have the product and we have ambitions to truly grow our business over there,” he added.

Source: www.angling-international.com.