Mayfly Outdoors

Name

Mayfly Outdoors

Legal name

Mayfly Outdoors

Website

https://mayflyoutdoors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fly Fishing Equipment

NAICS

Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills (314994)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Fly Fishing Specialty Retail (CRAMALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lures, Flies & Terminal Tackle Specialty Retail (CRAMALAJ)

Keywords

• Fly fishing reels
• Fly fishing rods
• Fly lines
• Fly tying vises
• Outdoor sporting goods

Headquarters

HQ city

Montrose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Fly Reels: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling premium fly fishing reels under Ross Reels and Abel Reels brands. Products range from entry-level Cimarron ($249-$399) to premium Evolution and San Miguel lines ($499-$850). Direct-to-consumer e-commerce supplemented by dealer network.
2. Hardware Sales - Fly Rods: Airlite performance fly rods and rods under other legacy brands. Products include technique-specific tapers for various fishing styles from trout to saltwater applications.
3. Hardware Sales - Fly Lines and Accessories: Airflo fly lines (PVC-free since 1984), fly tying vises (Dyna-King, Renzetti), spare spools, nippers, and accessories generate additional hardware revenue.
4. Limited Edition Collaborations: Special edition products (Coors Banquet, Stranahan's Whiskey, FFI, Crimson Red, Casey Underwood Series) at premium pricing with portion of proceeds supporting conservation partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mayfly Outdoors designs, manufactures, and sells premium fly fishing equipment across multiple heritage brands. The core product line consists of precision-machined fly fishing reels (Ross Reels, Abel Reels), performance fly rods (Airlite), PVC-free fly lines (Airflo), and rotary fly tying vises (Renzetti, Dyna-King). The company emphasizes domestic CNC machining and anodizing in Montrose, Colorado for Ross Reels, and supports a portfolio of limited edition and conservation collaboration products.

Product overview

Mayfly Outdoors is a fly fishing equipment holding company and Certified B Corp founded in 2012, headquartered in Montrose, Colorado. The company operates as a multi-brand portfolio under the 'Honor the Water' mission, integrating legacy fly fishing brands that collectively represent the most awarded fly fishing tackle manufacturers globally. The portfolio includes: Abel Reels (handcrafted premium reels with custom finishes), Ross Reels (precision-machined reels made in Montrose featuring multiple series: Animas, Cimarron, Cimarron Creek, Cimarron LT, Colorado, Evolution FS, Evolution LTX, Evolution R, Evolution R Salt, and San Miguel, plus numerous limited editions, collaborations, and fly shop exclusives), Airflo (PVC-free fly lines since 1984), Airlite (performance fly rods with technique-specific designs), Dyna-King (precision fly tying vises), Renzetti (true rotary vises), and Textreme. Ross Reels products range from entry-level Cimarron reels ($299) to premium Evolution and San Miguel models ($499-$669), with limited editions and collaborations ranging up to $850 (Stranahan's Whiskey). The company emphasizes domestic manufacturing, conservation partnerships, and B Corp sustainability values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Abel Reels: Premium handcrafted fly fishing reels known for craftsmanship and aesthetics.
• Ross Reels
• Airflo
• Airlite
• Dyna-King
• Renzetti
• Textreme

Products and services

• Ross Reels Fly Reels Precision-engineered fly fishing reels designed, machined, and assembled in Montrose, Colorado from raw bar-stock aluminum to anodized finish. Includes Animas, Cimarron, Cimarron Creek, Cimarron LT, Colorado, Evolution FS, Evolution LTX, Evolution R, Evolution R Salt, and San Miguel models for freshwater to saltwater applications.
• Abel Reels Premium handcrafted fly fishing reels known for craftsmanship and aesthetics, featuring custom finishes and personalized designs combined with durability and precision.
• Airflo Fly Lines Fly line brand with innovative designs and cutting-edge materials. PVC-free fly lines since 1984, offering performance and durability for freshwater and saltwater fishing.
• Airlite Fly Rods Performance fly rods designed by industry veterans with combined 50+ years of experience, featuring technique-specific tapers for precise presentations, streamers, and saltwater excursions.
• Dyna-King Fly Tying Vises and Tools Precision fly tying vises and tools with over four decades of heritage, featuring innovative designs, secure hook-holding, durability, and user-friendly operation.
• Renzetti True Rotary Vises True rotary vises invented by Andy Renzetti in 1972, originally in Romansville, PA, moved to Titusville, FL in 1996; acquired by Mayfly Outdoors in 2024 to continue the legacy.
• Ross Reels Coors Collection (Limited Edition) Limited edition Coors Banquet collaboration featuring Animas, Cimarron, Cimarron LT, Cimarron Creek, and San Miguel reels in Coors Banquet styling. A portion of proceeds supports Trout Unlimited's Embrace A Stream grant program for conservation projects on Clear Creek (CO), Big Hole (MT), Provo (UT), and La Barge (WY) river systems.
• Ross Reels X Stranahan's Whiskey (Limited Edition) Limited edition San Miguel reel collaboration with Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, priced at $850, with proceeds supporting conservation foundations.
• FFI Ross Cimarron (Limited Edition Collaboration) Fly Fishers International x Ross Cimarron collaboration reel featuring custom Casey Underwood artwork; includes free one-year FFI membership and supports FFI's mission to educate, advocate, and protect fly fishing.
• Ross Reels Native Series (Limited Edition Collaboration) Collaboration with Trout Unlimited to restore native trout species. Includes National Natives (East vs West Brook vs Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout), Rio Grande Cutthroat, Colorado River Cutthroat, and Greenback Cutthroat limited edition reels.
• Ross Reels Underwood Series (Limited Edition Collaboration) Artist collaboration with Casey Underwood featuring signature designs (On the Hunt, Upstream, Mayfly Flurry, Ridge Risers) on Cimarron and San Miguel reels.
• Ross Reels Casting for Recovery Cimarron (Limited Edition Collaboration) Custom pink-accented Cimarron reel created in partnership with Casting for Recovery, a nonprofit providing free fly fishing retreats to women with breast cancer. A portion of each sale supports the organization.
• Airlite Versa Trout 905 Versatile 9-foot 5-weight fly rod with smooth, forgiving medium action for dry flies, nymphs, and light streamers. Features premium Half Wells cork handle. Pairs with Cimarron reel.
• Airlite Perdigon Blackout Euro Nymph Rod Blackout Euro Nymph rod designed for competition-style euro nymphing techniques.
• Airlite Vitesse Mentor Fast-action white blank developed with FFI casting pros, designed to make every loop visible and every lesson stick. Built for teaching and mentorship in fly fishing.
• Ross Reels Cimarron Creek Click pawl reel priced at $249, described as the First Open Source Click Pawl Reel Ever Made.
• Ross Reels Cimarron LT Leaner, lighter, more capable evolution of the Cimarron workhorse, priced at $399.

Quantifiable outcome

• More industry Awards in Excellence for innovation, dependability, and performance than any other fly-fishing tackle manufacturers globally

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoss Reels partners with Trout Unlimited on the Native Series, releasing limited edition reels to raise awareness and funding for native trout species restoration. Also part of Coors Banquet partnership, donating to Trout Unlimited's Embrace A Stream grant program supporting river systems in Clear Creek (CO), Big Hole (MT), Provo (UT), and La Barge (WY). Since 1975, EAS has funded over 1,150 projects with $4.9 million in grants.
• Coors BanquetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Conservation combining Coors Banquet's Western legacy with Ross Reels' award-winning quality. Limited edition Animas, Cimarron, Cimarron LT, Cimarron Creek, San Miguel reels in Coors Banquet styling. Proceeds support Trout Unlimited's Embrace A Stream program for conservation projects on four major river systems.
• Fly Fishers International (FFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoss Cimarron x Fly Fishers International collaboration featuring Casey Underwood custom artwork. Each reel includes free one-year FFI membership ($35 value) and $35 donation supports FFI's mission to educate, advocate, and protect fly fishing. Also paired with Airlite Vitesse Mentor rod developed with FFI casting pros.
• Casting for RecoverycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership creating rod and reel sets honoring Casting for Recovery's 30-year mission providing free, nature-based fly fishing retreats to women with breast cancer. Casting for Recovery Cimarron Reel and Versa Trout 905 rod combo. Portion of every sale supports the retreats and community programs.
• Stranahan's WhiskeyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLimited edition Ross Reels San Miguel collaboration with Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. Features smoke-textured Cerakote finish, American White Oak handle from whiskey barrels, pure copper components. Serialized limited edition (250 total). $75 from each purchase supports The Greenway Foundation and Roaring Fork Conservancy.
• Casey UnderwoodflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtist collaboration featuring Casey Underwood's signature designs (On the Hunt, Upstream, Mayfly Flurry, Ridge Risers) on Ross Cimarron and San Miguel reels. Limited edition functional art pieces combining fly fishing with fine art.
• Greenway Foundation and Roaring Fork ConservancyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConservation beneficiaries of Ross Reels x Stranahan's Whiskey partnership. Organizations protect and restore rivers in Colorado that inspire both Ross Reels and Stranahan's Whiskey.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sage Manufacturing (Sage Fly Fishing): Sage is one of the most iconic American premium fly rod manufacturers, directly comparable to Mayfly's Airlite rod brand. Both target the same high-end freshwater/saltwater fly angler with premium-priced, US-designed rods and reels, and compete head-to-head in fly shops and pro-staff circles.
• Hardy Fly Fishing (Pure Fishing): Hardy is a heritage UK fly reel and rod manufacturer (est. 1872) with sealed-drag technology and premium positioning comparable to Mayfly's Ross Reels and Abel Reels. Both brands serve the discerning fly angler with machined, warranty-backed reels in similar price tiers and conservation-driven brand storytelling.
• Lamson (Pure Fishing): Lamson designs and sells premium machined fly reels (Litespeed, Liquid, Speedster) directly competing with Mayfly's Ross Evolution and San Miguel lines. Comparable US-built (or US-assembled) construction, anodized finishes, and price points make it a frequent head-to-head competitor on fly shop walls.
• Nautilus Reels: Nautilus is a US-based premium fly reel manufacturer specializing in sealed-drag saltwater reels (NV, CCF-X, Max). It competes directly with Mayfly's Evolution R Salt and San Miguel product lines for the saltwater fly angler segment.
• Scott Fly Rods (Pure Fishing): Scott is a premium American fly rod manufacturer founded in Boulder, CO, directly comparable to Mayfly's Airlite brand. Both sell technique-specific, premium-priced fly rods through authorized fly shop dealers with comparable warranty and craft narratives.
• Tibor Reels: Tibor makes premium American-made fly and saltwater reels (Signature, Gulfstream) in Calexico, CA, comparable to Mayfly's Abel Reels and Ross Reels saltwater lines. Both compete in the high-end machined reel segment with similar pricing.
• Scientific Anglers (3M/now independent): Scientific Anglers is a major US fly line manufacturer with broad freshwater/saltwater line offerings, directly comparable to Mayfly's Airflo sub-brand. Both compete on fly line technology, taper design, and coating innovation across the same fly shop channel.

Broad incumbents

• G. Loomis (Shimano): G. Loomis is a large, established US-based rod manufacturer offering fly, spinning, and casting rods. It competes with Mayfly's Airlite in fly rods but is part of Shimano's broader fishing portfolio, making it a broader incumbent rather than a fly-specialist peer.
• Orvis: Orvis is the largest US specialty fly fishing retailer and multi-category manufacturer (rods, reels, lines, apparel, trips). Comparable to Mayfly across rods, reels, and lines but as a much larger broad-line incumbent spanning retail, apparel, and travel.

Emerging players

• Fishpond (Thousand Lakes Sports): Fishpond designs premium fly fishing accessories (packs, nets, slings, vests) with sustainability positioning comparable to Mayfly's B Corp ethos. It does not directly compete in reels/rods/lines but shares the same fly shop distribution and conservation-minded consumer base.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Kj-b9kPJZj0
• Instagraminstagram.com/rossreels
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mayfly-outdoors-fishing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mayfly Outdoors