Originally published March 2011

RETAILER'S CHOICE AWARDS 2010 – 2011

RETAILER'S CHOICE AWARDS There are oodles of products launched each year, all of them at least in some way meant to increase your angling odds. But with all these choices on the market, how can you know what you really should spend your hard-earned dollars on? That is why we do the annual gear guide program at Fish Alaska, attempting to test and prove the best options for angling in the Great Land. We can't do it alone, however. We've always talked to our closely related associates in the industry, many of them retailers, to keep our fingers on the pulse of the right gear for Alaska. And now this year we are introducing a new awards section to our Gear Guide called the Fish Alaska Retailer's Choice Awards.

The following Alaska fishing and hunting retailers and sporting goods distributors are our longtime friends and resources for what works best and what is popular among the anglers of Alaska. They chose their awarded items based on feedback from customers, what they could not keep in stock in their store and what they've personally tested while experiencing everything Alaska has to offer.

Most of these folks are real outdoors-enthusiasts who spend as much time fishing and hunting as their lifestyle affords. Many of these folks are really good people as well, who know their business and their products. Feel free to stop by their stores and gain more knowledge on gear for Alaska. These businesses are all strong supporters of this magazine, many of them since our inception more than 10 years ago. Their businesses are staples in their local economy and they help their customers catch more fish by advising them on the right gear to try.

CY'S SPORTING GOODS	Cy Hoen 117 Lower Mill Bay Road Kodiak, AK 99615 907-486-3900 www.kodiak-outfitters.com
	Simms G3 Guide Pant MSRP $399.95 Customers want a versatile and durable waterproof pant for fishing and hunting around Kodiak Island. This pant wader fits the needs of hardcore outdoorsmen.
	Sage Z-Axis Series Fly Rod MSRP $630 to $640 These are high-end rod and really perform it. Some balk at the price, but when they try the rods, they forget about the cost.
ALASKA SPORT SHOP	Doug Olerud 430 Main Street PO Box 1069 Haines, AK 99827 907-766-2441 www.Oleruds.com
	Brad's Super Bait Cut Plugs MSRP $8.99 to $11.99 Mountain Dew and Black Jack were our best colors. Customers liked the action of the lure and that you can add bait for scent. Even without bait, the lure produced lots of fish.
	Weston Pro 2300 Vacuum Sealer MSRP $499.99 This vacuum sealer provided a good, wide seal, which produced a better seal for longer-lasting freshness.
ALASKA BUTCHER SUPPLY	Dan Meyers 4507 Mountain View Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 907-258-7502 877-478-8877 Toll Free www.alaskabutcherequip.com
	Victorinox Fillet Knives 14" 41534 MSRP $68.00 12" 40630 MSRP $61.00 10" 40539 MSRP $45.00 These popular Victorinox knives are best when using the filleting technique where you run the knife along the backbone of the fish, severing the belly bones as you remove the fillet. Then you can come back and use the rounded tip of the knife blade to remove the belly bones.
	Minipack MVS31 Vacuum Packer MSRP $2095 The MVS31 is the perfect vacuum machine for home use. The chamber size is 12.75-inches x 11.75-inches x 6-inches making it very versatile to vacuum seal meat, fish, poultry and a lot more into family-sized portions that can be frozen and used years later. The MVS31 can also vacuum jars and containers, indispensable when stocking a remote cabin or for jarring smoked salmon. Best of all you won't have to worry about it quitting in the middle of your project. You won't have to worry about sucking liquids into the vacuum pump like you can with suction machines, and you won't have to use expensive embossed suction bags. Chamber machines use smooth vacuum pre-cut pouches (no rolls). We recommend 4mil bags that cost a lot less than embossed bags and are much sturdier.
CUSTOM TRUCK ACCESSORY AND PERFORMANCE CENTER	Allan Arnold 4748 Old Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99503 907-563-5490 www.customtruckak.com
	Leer Truck Topper 100XL MSRP starting at $1,950 Protect your expensive fishing gear and finish your truck with a sleek looking and highly functional Leer topper. These are great for Alaskan outdoorsmen for a variety of activities. You can even throw in your sleeping bag and pad for shelter!
B&J SPORTING GOODS	2749 C Street Anchorage, AK 99503 907-274-6113 www.bnjsg.com
	Silver Horde Ace Hi Fly MSRP $5.60 Troll an Ace Hi Fly in the saltwater for silver and king salmon. Run one of these guys behind a dodger or flasher and take a shot at the Winter King Derby in Homer in March!
	Berkley PowerBait Kicker Frog Tree Frog (SCKF4-TF) MSRP $4.89 When it comes to pike fishing in Alaska, try Berkley PowerBait Kicker Frogs because they look realistic and have the best leg action out there! They come in many color options.
	Victorinox Paring Knife 40508 MSRP $5.50 to $7.00 Cheap in cost but holds a good edge. Try these knives from the kitchen to the bush to field-dress moose, caribou, sheep and bear.
FRED MEYER	Throughout Alaska Cheryl Kindwall, Sporting Good Buyer www.fredmeyer.com
	Mr. Heater Portable Buddy MSRP $99 An excellent companion for the coldest days, this unit is perfect for anglers who'd like to add some heat to their day, without having to pack in an unwieldy contraption. Perfect for tents, cabins, boats and more.
	Worden's Flash Glo MSRP $3.48 to $4.61 With both casting and trolling models available, these lures cover most bases and keep a variety of customers happy.
	Shimano Salmon/Steelhead Clarus Rod Series MSRP $70 These salmon/steelhead rods from Shimano are a great start for Alaska anglers looking for durability and performance on the water.
	Rapala 7 ½-inch Fillet Knife MSRP $19.99 This soft-grip, flexible blade fillet knife from Rapala is perfect for cleaning the day's catch.
	Glacier Glove Kenai Glove MSRP $14.99 For colder days on the water, this glove is a great choice that doesn't sacrifice grip.
FRONTIER OUTFITTERS	Mike Lund 250 3rd St #6 Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-452-4774 www.frontieroutfittersfairbanks.com	301 North Santa Clause Lane North Pole, AK 99705 907-488-6521
	ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent MSRP $25.99 This product works great at keeping mosquitoes away while you enjoy the outdoors. It's easy to use and is reliable. A must for fishermen and hunters.
	Bridgford Ready to Eat Sandwiches MSRP 4 for $12.95 These calorie-dense, refrigeration-free sandwiches are pre-packed and ready to go. They can be eaten as is, cooked or microwaved. You can even put the package in boiling water. They come in BBQ Beef, BBQ Chicken, Italian-style, Bacon and Cheese, and Pepperoni Stick.
	YETI Tundra Series Coolers MSRP $239.99 to $749.99 These are the highest quality coolers we have seen. The plastic is thicker than any other cooler. More insulation will keep your fish and game fresh and the ability to put locks on makes them perfect for Alaska outdoorsmen.
MACK'S SPORT SHOP	Jesse Glamann 212 Lower Mill Bay Road Kodiak, Alaska 99615 907-486-4276, Toll Free 877-916-4276 www.mackssportshop.com
	Shimano Trevala Butterfly Jigging Rod, 6 foot, 6 inch Medium-Heavy MSRP $119.99 Extremely popular, this rod is capable of handling big halibut. Fish jigs from 4- to 8 ounces with 50- to 100-pound braid. We paired it nicely with smaller Avet reels. The rod proved tough and helped anglers land some serious halibut in 2010.
	Shimano Banar Bag MSRP $49.99 With a 3-inch hard rubber bottom, 1200 denier fabric, water-resistant pockets and removable liners, this was a big seller in our shop this year.
	Brad's Super Bait Cut Plugs MSRP $8.99 to $11.99 Added effectiveness because it allows you to add scent to the lure and when you are out of bait, the action of the lure keeps you fishing. The two-pack sold well with Blue Magic and Blue Hawaiian as the most popular colors. We experimented by boring different holes into the lure to get them to troll differently at different speeds. When you troll them faster, you're able to avoid some of the rockfish and other bottomfish species and target king salmon.
OUTFITTER SPORTING GOODS	Eric Ferrin Haines Highway Haines, AK 99827 907-766-3221
	Outdoor Edge SwingBlade Knife MSRP $69.95 After seeing all the guides on a mule deer hunt in New Mexico using this knife, we ordered some. Very cool knife that works well and sold well.
	StormKloth II Fleece Pant and Jacket MSRP $89.99 each Nice features, super lightweight, water repellent. This set has been a strong seller. I am using a full set and love it. We're currently sold out. Good product at a great price.
	SunCloud Polarized Sunglasses MSRP $49.99 These glasses provide a really good pair of polarized sunglasses at a great price. SunCloud is a Smith Action Optics brand. We re-ordered this line of sunglasses many times throughout the year.
6TH AVE OUTFITTERS	Brian Williams 524 West 6th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 907-276-0233 www.6thavenueoutfitters.com
	Alaskan Outfitters RiverBug MSRP $699.95 Last year was our first selling the RiverBug and we were really surprised at how many we sold. The RiverCat has been well-received by rafting enthusiasts. For years we have sold a variety of multi-purpose inflatable boats. This is the first “toy” we've ever sold although it is constructed from the same tough fabrics we build our rafts with. We looked at it as something unique to use just for the fun of it and fun it is. It's a great way to get wet!
SOLDOTNA TRUSTWORTHY HARDWARE	Scott, Brian and Paul Miller 44648 Sterling Highway Soldotna, AK 99669 907-262-4655 www.soldotnahardware.com
	Shimano Trevala Jigging Casting Rod 5 foot, 8 inch XXH MSRP $169.99 These rods are great new stuff! The first legitimate new rod technology to come out in a long time, Shimano has made halibut fishing enjoyable by producing a rod that is lightweight and tough as nails. This is the perfect all around halibut and lingcod rod! You can go light for jigging or heavy for bait with the same rod.
	Lamiglas Kenai Kwik 9-foot, 3-inch, 15- to 30-pound Rod MSRP $300 Lamiglas spent a lot of time and effort putting this rod together. It is perfect for fishing the Kenai River. It trolls big Kwikfish and is a great rod for running bait.
	Garmin 740s MSRP $1,499.99 Great new product from Garmin with lots of utility. Stand alone chartplotter and sounder with built-in radar capability. A nice 7-inch diagonal touch screen with great clarity and pre-loaded coastal charts. For large and small boats alike it brings a chartplotter, sounder, and radar to an affordable level; this unit is for every fisherman.
SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE ANCHORAGE	Steve McVeigh 8681 Old Seward Highway Anchorage, AK 99515 907-644-1400 www.sportsmanswarehouse.com Several department managers conferred and the following items were selected because they were popular items last season that received high reviews from customers.
	Temple Fork Outfitters BVK Fly Rod Series MSRP $224.95 to $249.95 Strong performing rods at great price-points, this Temple Fork series of fly rods were big sellers in Alaska when they came out winter of 2010.
	Luhr Jensen Kwikfish MSRP $6.99 Always a big favorite, the classic Luhr Jensen Kwikfish updated their line with six new colors last year, and selling in four different sizes, Alaskan anglers again looked to make this popular plug the number one fish-getter in the state.
	Penn Battle Spinning Reel MSRP $99.95 to $119.95 Our top spinning reel of the season, this series from Penn made serious waves in the market.
	SOAR Pro Pioneer MSRP $2,695 This raft is ideally built to carry big game for remote float-hunting trips throughout the state. Rated to 1,500 pounds.
	Smith & Wesson 500 Revolver MSRP $1,319 The ultimate in bear protection, this revolver is a great choice for protection in the field.
SWEENEY'S	Mike Sweeney 35081 Kenai Spur Highway Soldotna, AK 99669 907-262-5916 Sweeneyclothing1@gci.net
	Grunden's Brigg 44 Hooded Parka and Herkules 16 Bib Pant MSRP Parka $124 to $142, Bib $125 Grunden's rain gear is very popular with both competitive and recreational fishermen. These are our best sellers.
	Helly Hansen Impertech II Jacket and Bibs MSRP Jacket $90, Bib $76 It's been around forever and we sell lots of it. Green and camo are our most popular colors.
	XtraTuff Non-Insulated 16-inch Neoprene Boots MSRP $99.95 Almost every community in Alaska wears XtraTufs rubber boots. It's an Alaskan standard.
	Muck Boots Arctic Sport MSRP $124.99 Neoprene boots that are very innovative.
	Bogs Footwear 12-inch and 14-inch Boots, Floral Pattern MSRP 12-inch $92, 14-inch $97 These boots are best for kids and women - the floral pattern doesn't really seem to work for guys. Waterproof boots are great for break-up and easy bank fishing for the family.
THE PROSPECTOR	Joe Prax 1512 S. Cushman St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 907-457-7372 www.prospectoroutfitters.com	141 Galena St. Valdez, AK 99686 907-835-3858
	Cascade Designs MSR Reactor Stove MSRP $159.95 Boils a liter of water in under three minutes. Their company is great to work with from a retailer's perspective.
	Petzl Tikka MSRP $29.95 When you need additional light to stretch the day, these headlamps make perfect options.
	Gerber Gator Machete MSRP $22.70 An outstanding performer, this machete from Gerber makes an ideal companion for any camp kit.
	Kenetrek Boots HardScrabble Hiker MSRP $335 A great high-end boot for the outdoorsman, with proven Kenetrek quality and durability.
3 RIVERS FLY AND TACKLE	Mike Hudson 390 Railroad Avenue Wasilla, AK 99654 907-373-5434 www.3riversflyandtackle.com
	Sage Z-Axis Series Fly Rods MSRP $630 to $640 If I had to choose just one, the magic stick is the 10-foot, 6-weight for trout. Hands down, it's the best rod I've ever picked up for stream fishing trout.
	Lamson Litespeed Series Fly Reels MSRP $279 to $419 Super lightweight with an excellent drag design. We've had zero reports of failures over the years.
	Scientific Anglers Sharkskin Magnum Taper MSRP $99.95 Extremely fast line-shooting capability, plus the taper is good for heavy flies and split-shot, which we use often. High floating line - sets it high on the water for easier casting.
VF GRACE DISTRIBUTORS	Wholesale to retailers only Kent Harrington, Dick Folz and Alan Noraker 605 E 13th Ave Anchorage, AK 99501 907-272-6431
	Blue Fox Classic Glow Vibrax MSRP $3.49 Sold in large quantities right out of the gate because the Blue Fox Vibrax is a staple of Alaska fishing.
	Troutbeads.com 12mm trout beads in all colors MSRP $2.49 Alaska's resident trout and Dollies love their eggs come fall, and these selections from Troutbeads.com help anglers give them what they want.
	Shakespeare 7-foot Ugly Stik Spinning Rod MSRP $29.95 Durable and inexpensive, these spinning rods are ideal for Alaska's salmon.
	Foodsaver® Gamesaver® Silver MSRP $199 Customers love its feature-rich design and the ease of use. A great price helps as well.
	Point Wilson Dart Halibut Rig MSRP $10.95 A regular choice of Alaska saltwater anglers, the Point Wilson Dart Halibut Rig was popular in 2010.
	Brad's Super Bait Cut Plugs MSRP $8.99 to $11.99 A big seller in 2010, these plugs look to remain Alaskan favorites for some time to come.
WESTERN AUTO MARINE	Dave White 5165 Glacier Hwy Juneau, Alaska 99801 907-780-4909 www.westernautojuneau.com
	SPOT Connect MSRP $169.99 This device will turn a smart phone into a satellite communicator. It will allow you to send email or text messages from virtually anywhere in the world. In case of an emergency, it has a feature that will send your GPS coordinates and message to the international emergency response center. Since it works via satellite it will work even where cell phones don't. I think it will be a must-have for any outdoor activity.
	Scotty High Performance Electric Downrigger 2101 MSRP $619.99 I am impressed with the speed of this downrigger. It is twice as fast as their other electric downriggers. I like the fact that it has a digital counter and that it is extremely quiet when it operates.
	11-inch Hot Spot Glow Mountain Dew Glow Flasher MSRP $13.95 This series of Hot Spot flashers was new to us in 2010. The flashers have an oily iridescent film on one side and crushed glow on the other. They are very brightly colored. Even though these flashers are more expensive than the standard Hot Spot flashers, they sold extremely well. Our customers gave them very good reviews. Last year there were 5 colors available, this year they have added 2 new colors.