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SENT TO MORE THAN<br />
18,500<br />
TACKLE INDUSTRY<br />
PROFESSIONALS<br />
IN OVER<br />
120 COUNTRIES<br />
EVERY MONTH<br />
JANUARY <strong>2023</strong><br />
<br />
FLYINGFISHERMAN.COM
COMMITTED TO INCREASING YOUR BUSINESS GLOBALLY<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR<br />
Read our essential guide<br />
to the latest products for<br />
<strong>2023</strong>.<br />
PULL-OUT, CENTRE PAGES<br />
ISLAND OF DREAMS?<br />
All you need to know about<br />
trading with the UK<br />
PAGE 24<br />
US OUTDOOR RECREATION<br />
BRINGS IN ALMOST $1TRILLION<br />
The outdoor recreation<br />
industry is worth<br />
nearly $1 trillion to<br />
the US economy, with fishing<br />
and boating being the biggest<br />
contributors to this figure.<br />
The US Bureau of Economic<br />
Analysis (BEA) Outdoor<br />
Recreation Satellite Account<br />
report reveals that the outdoor<br />
recreation industry generated<br />
$862 billion in economic output<br />
in 2021.<br />
This resulted in the creation<br />
of 4.5 million jobs – that’s three<br />
per cent of all workers in the<br />
United States. The total economic<br />
output value is 1.9 per cent of the<br />
nation’s total GDP.<br />
Across the 50 states, the<br />
outdoor recreation economy<br />
contributed between 4.8 per<br />
cent and 1.3 per cent of their<br />
individual GDPs – Hawaii saw<br />
the largest impact on the state<br />
GDPs while New York and<br />
Connecticut were the lowest.<br />
Boating and fishing were said<br />
to have contributed $50.4 billion<br />
in economic output, making these<br />
markets the largest economic<br />
driver among conventional<br />
outdoor recreation activities.<br />
The American Sportfishing<br />
Association was delighted to<br />
receive the news.<br />
A spokesman for the ASA said:<br />
“[We] recognise the important<br />
value outdoor recreation has<br />
across the United States and<br />
we are proud to be part of an<br />
industry that plays a critical role<br />
in growing our nation’s economy.<br />
“The outdoor recreation<br />
industry’s contribution to the<br />
US economy is greater than the<br />
amount contributed by other<br />
notable industries such as oil<br />
and gas extraction, mining,<br />
agriculture, and computers and<br />
electronics.<br />
“The economic impact of<br />
our industry is also an indicator<br />
of how important it is for<br />
Americans to have access to clean<br />
waters and abundant fisheries.<br />
ASA will continue our work with<br />
Congress, federal agencies and<br />
at the state level to ensure that<br />
outdoor participation continues<br />
to grow.<br />
“The growth our industry saw<br />
in 2021 indicates that outdoor<br />
recreation remains a top priority<br />
for all Americans in terms of<br />
time and dollars spent. Outdoor<br />
recreation will continue to have a<br />
huge impact on our nation even<br />
in the face of overall economic<br />
uncertainty. ASA is committed to<br />
promoting participation.”<br />
The figures are a welcome<br />
rise given that, in 2020, the<br />
outdoor recreation economy<br />
contributed just $689 billion in<br />
gross domestic output, equalling<br />
1.8 per cent of the US GDP.<br />
Although much of this was said<br />
to be down to the impact of the<br />
Covid-19 pandemic.<br />
Prior to that, the outdoor<br />
recreation economy typically<br />
equalled 2.2 per cent of the GDP,<br />
so it is clear the gap is closing.<br />
The outdoor recreation<br />
industry is also ahead of the<br />
country in overall economic<br />
growth, with an increase of<br />
18.9 per cent from 2020 to<br />
2021 compared to just a 5.9 per<br />
cent increase in the overall US<br />
economy.<br />
The tackle trade also saw a<br />
13.1 per cent rise in job growth<br />
from 2020 to 2021, equal to 3.1<br />
per cent of the country’s total job<br />
growth.<br />
You can read the full report<br />
via www.asafishing.org under the<br />
Reports and Trends tab.<br />
S E N T T O M O R E T H A N 1 8 , 5 0 0 T A C K L E I N D U S T R Y<br />
PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH
JANUARY<br />
<strong>2023</strong><br />
04<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong><strong>Trade</strong><br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
Editor:<br />
John Hunter<br />
+44 7990 542958<br />
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years<br />
of international business magazine experience,<br />
John was the founding editor of TTW and has<br />
now returned to the helm. He has helped<br />
many brands launch and grow over the years<br />
through B2B publications and via his own<br />
consultancy business.<br />
Co-Editor:<br />
David Haynes<br />
+44 7766 263908<br />
david.haynes@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A lifelong angler, David has tried his hand<br />
at most types of fishing and is a great<br />
accumulator of tackle and now focuses on<br />
competition fishing. Having worked at DHP for<br />
the last 16 years on every title in the company’s<br />
portfolio, he brings a wealth of knowledge and<br />
experience to the editorial team.<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
North America:<br />
Bart Manganiello<br />
+1 914 722 7601<br />
bartalm@optonline.net<br />
For over 35 years, Bart has been working with<br />
trade magazines, 31 in the tackle industry.<br />
Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North<br />
American Director, providing provide the<br />
best communication programs to companies,<br />
helping them connect with current and<br />
prospective trade partners around the world.<br />
Rest Of The <strong>World</strong>:<br />
Guido Knegt<br />
+39 3475036436<br />
guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five<br />
years travelling the world as a scuba-diving<br />
instructor and English teacher before settling<br />
down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for<br />
TTW between 2014 and 2017.<br />
China: Robert Li<br />
Li Ziwei<br />
+86 13451914155<br />
robert.li365@gmail.com<br />
Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news<br />
editor for over 20 years. He founded the most<br />
influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits<br />
and successfully organised many industry<br />
events. His love for culture and tourism has led<br />
him to devote his entire life to the exchanges<br />
between China and southeast Asia.<br />
Magazine Manager<br />
Justin Fox<br />
+44 7813 327966<br />
justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk<br />
A hugely experienced communicator with<br />
more than 20 years at parent company DHP,<br />
Justin knows what it takes to grow brands<br />
and businesses across the tackle sector.<br />
Art Editor: Paul Evans<br />
Editorial Design: Brad Sharp<br />
DHP LTD<br />
Editorial, administration, subscriptions and<br />
accounts to: DHP Ltd, 1st Floor, Nene House,<br />
Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
WILL FAST-MOVING<br />
INDUSTRY SLOW<br />
DOWN IN <strong>2023</strong>?<br />
What a year it has been for the<br />
fishing tackle trade around the<br />
world!<br />
We’ve faced some major challenges during<br />
2022, from increased material and shipping<br />
costs, manufacturing issues (all a hangover<br />
from Covid-19), a fall in angler numbers<br />
after some impressive peaks (again due<br />
to Covid-19) and even natural disasters,<br />
with hurricanes affecting our friends in the<br />
southern US and in the Far East.<br />
That said, we have also seen some real<br />
positives – the return of trade and consumer<br />
shows (well, most of them anyway) has been<br />
a major shot in the arm for us all; whether<br />
that’s the chance to do business face-to-face<br />
once more or even just to catch up with old<br />
friends and acquaintances.<br />
From TTW ’s point of view, it seems<br />
to have gone at breakneck speed as we<br />
have made up for lost time and travelled<br />
extensively to meet up with customers and<br />
attend trade events around the world.<br />
But last year was a whirlwind for the<br />
trade in lots of other ways too, not the least<br />
the number of seismic changes within the<br />
industry that have taken place.<br />
We have seen Pure Fishing acquire<br />
another major business in the shape of<br />
Svendsen Sport – adding more brands to its<br />
already extensive portfolio.<br />
We have watched as Orvis closed down its<br />
UK retail outlets then marvelled at Simms<br />
buying a major fly tackle retailer before being<br />
purchased itself by Vista Outdoor.<br />
There have been some changes at the<br />
top of key businesses, too, with the latest<br />
being the news that Rapala VMC CEO<br />
and president Nicolas Warchalowski is<br />
moving on – the search for his successor is<br />
already under way and may even have been<br />
completed by the time you read this.<br />
3,511<br />
6,466<br />
While Patagonia’s founder even gave his<br />
own company away!<br />
So what does <strong>2023</strong> have in store? Will we<br />
see another fast-paced year?<br />
I’d like to think the industry will draw its<br />
breath and stabilise a little but, this being the<br />
tackle trade, I really can’t see that happening.<br />
There are rumours that Pure Fishing hasn’t<br />
finished with the acquisition trail just yet,<br />
there are still some question marks over a<br />
couple of key trade events – with breaks and<br />
changes, it will be interesting to see how<br />
EFTTEX in Budapest fares and then there’s<br />
The Confluence replacing the old IFTD<br />
Show. What will that look like?<br />
Senior figures at the big corporates will<br />
also be looking hard at the numbers their<br />
CEOs and management are submitting.<br />
While Covid-19 continues to affect a<br />
significant amount of manufacturing in<br />
China with sudden lockdowns, we have seen<br />
a drop in angler numbers in many markets,<br />
with a potential reduction in sales<br />
The economic climate globally is<br />
challenging to say the least – will we take a<br />
hit as consumers face rising energy and food<br />
bills, with less spare cash to splash on their<br />
hobby?<br />
One thing you CAN rely on, though, is<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong>. We’ll continue to keep<br />
you up to date with everything going on in<br />
our industry, through our printed and digital<br />
publications, our website and our social<br />
media channels.<br />
If you know others who would like to<br />
stay informed, point them to<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com where they can<br />
sign up for the digital magazine delivered<br />
direct to their inbox!<br />
John Hunter<br />
Editor
Super<br />
Heat Dissipation<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Super<br />
Low-Friction<br />
Super<br />
Hardness<br />
Super<br />
Lightness
JANUARY<br />
<strong>2023</strong><br />
18<br />
30<br />
24<br />
08<br />
Contents<br />
28<br />
42<br />
8 NEWS<br />
Why Rapala VMC is searching for a new<br />
CEO, how Semperfli celebrated a huge<br />
export honour and what helped Shimano<br />
increase tackle sales?<br />
18 SPOTLIGHT ON… BOAT ACCESSORIES<br />
New small boat owners will need a raft of<br />
essential items before setting sail to the<br />
fishing grounds.<br />
20 SHOP WINDOW<br />
Boat owners love gadgets and accessories<br />
to make their trip afloat more enjoyable.<br />
What’s available for you to sell them?<br />
24 DOING BUSINESS WITH… THE UNITED<br />
KINGDOM<br />
A union of four countries that even<br />
together is smaller than Texas, the UK<br />
remains a big player in the global tackle<br />
market<br />
28 ICAST <strong>2023</strong> SET TO BE THE BEST YET<br />
With extra space for fly fishing gear, work<br />
is well advanced on ensuring ICAST <strong>2023</strong><br />
will be the best US fishing trade show yet.<br />
30 SIMMS STEPS FORWARD INTO <strong>2023</strong><br />
The iconic wader and apparel<br />
manufacturer has plenty of new gear<br />
in production for the coming year. We<br />
consider some of the highlights.<br />
32 MAKING CONTACT<br />
More products from global suppliers that<br />
will be worth stocking in your outlet over<br />
the coming months.<br />
40 WHY YOU NEED TO BE AN ONLINE<br />
EXPERT<br />
With more people turning to the internet for<br />
information or advice, it makes sense to be<br />
seen as an expert in your particular field as<br />
you’ll sell more.<br />
42 EFTTEX <strong>2023</strong> IS OPEN TO ALL<br />
The organiser of the European trade show<br />
looks forward to bringing the industry back<br />
together again for a reunion in Hungary.<br />
NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE<br />
SUPPLEMENT<br />
Don’t miss out on the essential<br />
guide to all the latest gear for the<br />
coming year in the <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong><br />
<strong>World</strong> New Product Showcase supplement.<br />
You’ll find it in the middle of this issue.<br />
06 www.tackletradeworld.com
SHIMANO REPORTS RISE IN<br />
FISHING TACKLE SALES<br />
Global tackle giant Shimano<br />
has seen sales grow for the first<br />
nine months of 2022 by more<br />
than 18 per cent – with fishing<br />
equipment sales up nine per cent<br />
on the previous year.<br />
The overall figure – which<br />
meant net sales reached<br />
¥467,665 million up to<br />
September – also included a rise<br />
of 20.6 per cent in its bicycle<br />
division.<br />
Shimano’s financial statement<br />
said: “During the first nine<br />
months of fiscal year 2022, the<br />
pace of global economic recovery<br />
slowed primarily because prices<br />
soared due to resource and<br />
energy supply constraints and<br />
rising resource prices caused<br />
by the situation in Ukraine,<br />
and central banks in various<br />
countries took steps to raise<br />
interest rates sharply to curb<br />
accelerating inflation”<br />
Net sales from tackle sector<br />
increased to ¥82,653 million,<br />
up nine per cent from the same<br />
period last year while operating<br />
income increased 1.7 per cent to<br />
¥17,482 million.<br />
Shimano said: “Strong interest<br />
in fishing that attracted attention<br />
globally showed signs of cooling<br />
down.<br />
“In the Japanese market, sales<br />
of mid- to high-priced products<br />
remained strong, although sales<br />
of popularly priced products for<br />
families and beginners slowed<br />
down and there were impacts<br />
from typhoons and other factors<br />
as well.<br />
“Overseas, in the North<br />
American market, although<br />
demand remained high for<br />
saltwater<br />
products, sales<br />
lacked strength<br />
under logistics<br />
disruption<br />
and prolonged<br />
inflation.<br />
“In the<br />
European<br />
market, although<br />
logistics<br />
concerns and<br />
high inflation in the UK caused<br />
a sense of stagnation in the<br />
market, there were signs of firm<br />
demand in some areas of Eastern<br />
Europe, and sales remained<br />
strong.<br />
“In the Asian market, sales<br />
were favourable in Taiwan<br />
and Southeast Asia, where<br />
demand for fishing tackle is<br />
expanding, and in the Chinese<br />
Shimano’s Ultegra XTE reels helped<br />
grow tackle sales during 2022.<br />
market, which has recovered<br />
from the effects of lockdowns,<br />
partly due to the easing of<br />
the zero-COVID policy. In<br />
Australia. sales remained firm in<br />
preparation for the full-fledged<br />
fishing season.”<br />
It said new products such as<br />
its Ultegra XTE spinning reels,<br />
Beastmaster MD and Stella reels<br />
all contributed to this growth.<br />
Whole company celebrates historic<br />
award presentation<br />
The whole of UK fly tying materials<br />
manufacturer Semperfli turned out to<br />
celebrate as the company received its<br />
Queen’s Award for Enterprise from King<br />
Charles III’s official representatives.<br />
The Yorkshire-based business welcomed<br />
the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lord<br />
Lieutenant of North Yorkshire to receive<br />
the prestigious honour for their success<br />
and growth in international trade.<br />
The day saw more than 50 staff and<br />
guests gather at the company’s brand<br />
new home in Selby for the official<br />
citation, which now allows the firm to<br />
fly the Queen’s Award flag and use the<br />
associated emblem for the next five<br />
years, demonstrating their outstanding<br />
achievement in boosting international<br />
trade.<br />
Although called the Queen’s Awards<br />
for Enterprise – as they were instigated<br />
by the late Queen Elizabeth II – the Lord<br />
The Semperfli family and Lord Lt Mrs Jo Ropner<br />
Lieutenant and Deputy are the<br />
official representatives for the<br />
reigning monarch, now King<br />
Charles III.<br />
The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs<br />
Jo Ropner – who is an avid fly<br />
angler – praised the company’s<br />
work and the whole Semperfli<br />
team before being presented<br />
with a box of flies hand-tied by top angler<br />
Paul Procter, using Semperfli materials of<br />
course.<br />
Semperfli CEO Ann Kitchener said: “It<br />
was undoubtedly the proudest day for us at<br />
Semperfli. We received our formal Grant<br />
of Appointment for our Queen’s Award<br />
from the Lord Lieutenant and Deputy<br />
Lieutenant, the King’s Representatives.<br />
It was the most amazing day, that we<br />
will never forget. Thank you everyone for<br />
helping us get here.”<br />
Andy Kitchener, fellow director and cofunder,<br />
added: “When we first found out<br />
we had received this honour – ironically in<br />
Salt Lake City, USA as we were preparing<br />
for the IFTD Show last March – it was an<br />
extremely emotional moment.<br />
“We have had to jump through a lot of<br />
hoops to be given this recognition but it is<br />
a feather in the caps of all of the team that<br />
we have been granted this award. We are<br />
all very proud.”<br />
The presentation was followed by a<br />
party for staff and guests complete with<br />
live band as the festivities continued<br />
throughout the day.<br />
08 www.tackletradeworld.com
RAPALA VMC SEEKING<br />
NEW CEO<br />
The hunt is on for a<br />
replacement CEO and<br />
president at Rapala VMC<br />
Corporation after news that<br />
Nicolas Warchalowski is<br />
to leave his role by mutual<br />
agreement.<br />
Current Rapala chairman<br />
Louis d’Alançon has been<br />
named interim president and<br />
CEO while a successor is<br />
found.<br />
In a statement, the board of<br />
directors said Warchalowski<br />
will be available until May 16th<br />
to assist on special projects to<br />
secure an orderly transition.<br />
Bajío, the maker of bluelight<br />
filtering, sustainable<br />
performance sunglasses has<br />
shown its support for the anglers<br />
of tomorrow by partnering with<br />
the US-based Association of<br />
Collegiate Anglers.<br />
As part of this deal, Bajío<br />
will activate on-site at events,<br />
products will be featured in<br />
prize payouts and there will also<br />
be sunglasses for competitors.<br />
Melinda Hays, bass fishing<br />
community manager with<br />
Bajío, said: “Bajio Sunglasses<br />
is proud to support the unique<br />
Louis d’Alançon said: “We<br />
want to thank Nicolas for his<br />
strong contribution to our<br />
strategic initiatives aiming<br />
at growth, improvement of<br />
profitability and improving<br />
the operational performance<br />
during the difficult Covid-19<br />
period.”<br />
Warchalowski, who took up<br />
his role in March 2020, added:<br />
“I want to warmly thank all<br />
Rapala VMC employees and<br />
other stakeholders for the<br />
good co-operation and great<br />
experiences during my time<br />
with Rapala VMC. We have<br />
Fly tying event promises much for year<br />
The recent International Fly Tying Symposium<br />
is the USA brought cheer for many as the aisles<br />
were jammed, suggesting the industry could be<br />
set to enjoy a boom time in <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Indeed, it was standing room only at the<br />
31st annual Tying Symposium as about 100<br />
professional and highly qualified amateurs<br />
turned fur, feathers and man-made materials into<br />
artificial fishing flies designed to fool everything<br />
from farm pond bluegills to ocean marlin.<br />
Show producer Chuck Furimsky said: “With<br />
the pandemic looking like it’s on its final curtain<br />
call, fly fishers and fans of the fly tying art were<br />
aching to get out of the house and swarmed the<br />
host hotel to watch the skills of fly tyers from<br />
opportunities the ACA provides<br />
to college anglers. I believe it<br />
allows so many anglers to gather<br />
together and form relationships<br />
that will carry through the years.<br />
“Our glasses are made<br />
by anglers for anglers, with<br />
conservation and youth<br />
programs being the core of who<br />
we are. We believe in not only<br />
enhancing anglers’ opportunities<br />
on the water but helping<br />
make a positive impact in the<br />
communities we are involved<br />
in.”<br />
ACA managing director Kyle<br />
Nicolas<br />
Warchalowski<br />
worked together on several<br />
new fronts with strategic<br />
initiatives, which I believe<br />
will form a good platform for<br />
Rapala’s long-term success.<br />
Now it’s time for someone else<br />
to take the lead and for me<br />
to pursue new things in due<br />
course.”<br />
around the world show off their passion for the<br />
art.”<br />
It was a truly international affair, with tyers<br />
at the Somerset, New Jersey seminar including<br />
Harry Schoel from Belgium, England’s Chris<br />
Reeves, Morten Valeur from Denmark and Piero<br />
Sistino and Eros Tommasi from Italy.<br />
They joined Americans Tom Rosenbauer, Tim<br />
Cammisa, Tim Flagler, Tom Baltz, Allen Rupp,<br />
Steve Culton, Bob Clouser, Bob Clouser Jr, Bob<br />
Mead and John Shaner during the two-day<br />
event.<br />
Attendees bought fly tying materials, hooks,<br />
books, videos, tying vises and other tools from<br />
pliers to bobbins at the symposium.<br />
SUNGLASSES BRAND LOOKS TO<br />
FUTURE WITH YOUNG ANGLERS<br />
Curry added: “We are extremely<br />
excited to announce this<br />
partnership with Bajío, which<br />
makes a phenomenal product<br />
that anglers will greatly enjoy<br />
wearing and using out on the<br />
water. This partnership is one<br />
that we are looking forward to<br />
this upcoming season!”<br />
Bajío representatives will also<br />
be on-site at each of the two<br />
ACA tournaments this year to<br />
connect with collegiate anglers<br />
from across the country.<br />
www.Bajiosunglasses.com<br />
Over 1,000 New Line<br />
items added to the<br />
2022-23 New Catalog<br />
Hareline Ceramic<br />
Zirconia Dubbing Rake<br />
The<br />
Bone Comb<br />
Hareline UV Flexi<br />
Squishenille
ST CROIX ROD LANDS TOP<br />
COMMS MAN JOSH<br />
St Croix Rod has netted well-known<br />
industry media specialist Josh Lantz to take<br />
on the role of corporate communications<br />
director at the Wisconsin, USA-based<br />
manufacturer.<br />
A lifelong angler, Josh brings 28 years of<br />
fishing-industry communications experience<br />
to the newly created position, having worked<br />
for the past eight as communications<br />
specialist and group editor with Traditions<br />
Media, providing media-relations services<br />
for some of the best brands in the outdoors<br />
industry, including St Croix Rod.<br />
The 52-year-old grew up on Lake<br />
Wawasee in Northern Indiana and<br />
graduated from Ball State University in<br />
1993 with a pair of bachelor’s degrees in<br />
Urban Planning and Development and<br />
Environmental Design. A freelance outdoor<br />
writer since 1994, he entered the fishing and<br />
communications industries full time in 2002,<br />
continuing his freelance communications<br />
work while also serving as editor-in-chief<br />
of Indiana Outdoor News and working as a<br />
self-employed fly fishing guide, among other<br />
roles.<br />
He said: “Today, native storytelling<br />
10 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
through industry distribution, quality<br />
editorial content, direct-to-angler<br />
communications and top-tier service to<br />
hardworking media partners are critical<br />
parts of any successful fishing brand’s<br />
overall marketing strategy.<br />
“Traditions Media has been a pioneer<br />
in this area and I’m very grateful for the<br />
opportunities I’ve been given to work<br />
with and learn from this talented team.”<br />
In his new role he will work with the<br />
St Croix marketing team, led by vicepresident<br />
of marketing, Jesse Simpkins.<br />
“I’ve known and worked with Jesse for<br />
many years,” Josh added. “There are very few<br />
companies and very few people I would have<br />
left my career at Traditions Media for, but<br />
Jesse and St Croix were at the top of that<br />
extremely short list.<br />
“In working with St Croix over the past<br />
five years, I’ve seen how its commitment and<br />
promise to anglers guides what every person<br />
involved with the brand does every day and<br />
impacts every decision that’s made. I couldn’t<br />
be more excited to come work on this team<br />
in this angler-driven environment.”<br />
Meanwhile, Jesse explained: “Josh has<br />
Changes at the helm for<br />
Snowbee UK<br />
Fly fishing brand Snowbee<br />
UK is to go through some<br />
major changes at the top,<br />
with managing director<br />
Russell Weston stepping<br />
aside and handing control<br />
to SM Group (Europe).<br />
SMG, as it is known,<br />
will become the exclusive<br />
European distributor for<br />
the brand, handling all<br />
aspects of the business.<br />
Plymouth-based Russell,<br />
now 67, is stepping down<br />
after nearly 39 years in<br />
charge.<br />
He told TTW: “Having<br />
built the company and<br />
the Snowbee brand from<br />
nothing, almost 39 years<br />
ago, to where it is today,<br />
makes me immensely proud<br />
of the achievement but the<br />
time has come to step aside<br />
and spend more time with<br />
my family and actually get<br />
to do some fishing!<br />
“I’m very pleased to<br />
transfer the Snowbee brand<br />
to SMG’s safe hands. I’ll be<br />
staying on in a part-time<br />
consultancy role and to help<br />
with the seamless transition<br />
of the business. With the<br />
rest of the employees at<br />
Snowbee UK transferring<br />
to SMG without any job<br />
losses, it is very much<br />
business as usual.”<br />
SMG, also based in<br />
Plymouth, has been<br />
associated with Snowbee<br />
since 2016. Better known<br />
as the UK’s largest marine<br />
electronics distributor,<br />
amongst over 60 quality<br />
brands SMG also has<br />
products for the fishing,<br />
watersports, outdoor and<br />
equestrian markets.<br />
Ray Badminton, MD<br />
of SMG, explained: “We<br />
already have a long history<br />
with Snowbee, with great<br />
symmetry between each<br />
company’s values, staff<br />
dedication and company<br />
structure.<br />
“Equally important is<br />
the growth potential we see<br />
for the brand, offering its<br />
products to a selection of<br />
SMG’s 800 trade accounts.”<br />
A bonus for Snowbee’s<br />
current trade accounts is<br />
that they will also now have<br />
access to all SMGs other<br />
brands allowing them to<br />
increase sales with names<br />
such as Garmin, Raymarine,<br />
ThrustMe, Rebelcell and<br />
Railblaza.<br />
Josh Lantz<br />
become a valuable and trusted part of the St<br />
Croix family over the past few years, helping<br />
us clearly and consistently communicate<br />
our unique brand story, our values, our<br />
technologies, our mission, and – most<br />
importantly – our promise to anglers.<br />
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome<br />
him to our team full time. St Croix is more<br />
committed than ever to handcrafting more<br />
and better tools for all anglers. [This new]<br />
position speaks to that commitment and I<br />
believe Josh’s communication skills and the<br />
respect he’s earned from his peers in the<br />
fishing media are going to help position the<br />
St Croix brand and its anglers for continued<br />
success for many years to come.”<br />
FREE SPACE AT<br />
AUSTRALIA’S<br />
ULTIMATE<br />
FISHING EXPO<br />
Members of the Australian Fishing<br />
<strong>Trade</strong> Association are being offered<br />
free floor space at the Ultimate Fishing<br />
Expo, running in Melbourne in mid-<br />
February.<br />
The free-entry event, to be staged at<br />
Melbourne Conference and Exhibition<br />
Centre on Saturday and Sunday,<br />
February 18 and 19th, will feature both<br />
tackle and boats with a programme<br />
of celebrities, experts, activities and<br />
competitions plus plenty of advice and<br />
information.<br />
AFTA has negotiated a ‘never-to-berepeated’<br />
zero-dollar floor space rate,<br />
allowing retailers and wholesalers to<br />
reach thousands of angling consumers in<br />
one weekend.<br />
To find out more, visit afta.net.au/theultimate-fishing-expo-<strong>2023</strong>
BKK hooks top design award for Raptor-X<br />
Hook brand BKK has clinched another<br />
Good Design Award Japan for its<br />
Raptor-X lure hook at a ceremony in<br />
Tokyo.<br />
The Raptor-X is a 3X-wire treble hook<br />
whose design is inspired by one of the best<br />
treble hooks BKK ever launched – the<br />
Raptor-Z.<br />
The Raptor series has been designed<br />
with only one objective – to hook strong<br />
and aggressive “monster” fish and keep<br />
them hooked to the very end<br />
Featuring a lighter wire and also being<br />
available in very small sizes from 8 to<br />
3/0, the Raptor-X is also suitable to<br />
arm smaller lures without affecting their<br />
swimming action.<br />
The lightness of the hook structure is<br />
increased using the BKK hand-ground<br />
processing technology, through which the<br />
hook is manually sharpened by removing<br />
material around the point. The hook<br />
gap-shank proportions are maintained to<br />
equip the Raptor-X with excellent holding<br />
power, yet the hook point is slightly<br />
straightened to enhance the hook-up rate.<br />
The Bright-Tin coating of the hook is<br />
designed to maximise its performance in<br />
terms of saltwater corrosion resistance,<br />
making it suitable even for harsh saltwater<br />
environments.<br />
To date, BKK hooks has bagged a<br />
total of five Good Design Award Japan<br />
accolades including Lone Diablo, GT-<br />
Rex, Raptor-Z, Titan Series and now the<br />
Raptor-X.<br />
BKK product engineer and global brand<br />
director, Michele Gori, said: “We are<br />
honoured for this new recognition. We<br />
are proud anglers as well as hook makers.<br />
We live the purpose every day by focusing<br />
on our research and innovation, we strive<br />
to build quality hooks. We continue to<br />
focus on research and innovation, always<br />
concentrating on what our consumers<br />
want. We strive to build better hooks.<br />
Hooks that stand for stronger, sharper,<br />
and more reliable, which equivalent to<br />
tournaments level.”<br />
He added: “We want anglers who are<br />
chasing after<br />
the biggest,<br />
meanest,<br />
nastiest and<br />
hardestfighting<br />
fish,<br />
to rest assured<br />
about the<br />
hooks, the last<br />
thing most<br />
anglers worry<br />
about. It costs<br />
more and takes more time looking for<br />
better metals, sharpening the tips of hooks<br />
but it’s worth it to create hooks that are<br />
truly competitive and extraordinary.”<br />
The Good Design Award has been a<br />
sole comprehensive design evaluation<br />
and commendation system in Japan since<br />
1957. Commonly known together with<br />
the “G Mark”, the symbol of winning<br />
the award, the awards recognise various<br />
industries including consumer goods,<br />
architecture, software, systems and<br />
services.<br />
NEW PACBAY<br />
CHARONOSAURUS<br />
ROLLER GUIDES<br />
The world’s best-known saltwater anglers trust in PACBAY’s fishing tackle components and accessories for their<br />
reliable and faultless performance. With a view to preserving its valued reputation, PACBAY has maintained a strict<br />
program of quality control in the making of each and every product with the PACBAY name carved on it.<br />
In the same spirit as always, PACBAY has now launched its brand-new Charonosaurus roller guides.<br />
- Aluminum openwork construction reduces weight but doesn’t reduce strength - Deeply embedded roller design restricts line from cramming between<br />
roller and frame - Inbuilt Teflon tube bearing to diminish friction and heat - Tube bearing treated with TEFLON for performance and constant lubrication<br />
- Perfectly shaped guide feet to fit blanks with tip size - The structure of the arch-bridge design reduces weight as well as reducing the restrain between<br />
blank and guide - Structure designed to accommodate knots and connection of wind-on leader – line never gets stuck<br />
- PACBAY roller tip-tops (model # ERT,EMRT,EJRT) are an excellent match for these guides - All products patented.<br />
Build Great Fishing Rods<br />
info@fishpacbay.com<br />
www.fishpacbay.com
NEWS IN BRIEF<br />
IGFA grows<br />
awards<br />
The International Game Fish<br />
Association (IGFA) has added two<br />
awards to its current schedule of<br />
annual honours.<br />
The IGFA Joe Brooks Fly Fishing<br />
Award acknowledges anglers<br />
who have made significant and<br />
outstanding contributions to the<br />
world of fly fishing, while the<br />
IGFA Johnny Morris Freshwater<br />
Angling Award will honour those<br />
who have made significant and<br />
outstanding contributions to<br />
freshwater angling.<br />
$25m events<br />
praised<br />
Two major US 2022 events – the<br />
Academy Sports + Outdoors<br />
Bassmaster Classic presented<br />
by Huk and the Abu Garcia<br />
Bassmaster High School National<br />
Championship have been<br />
recognised for their important<br />
economic contribution.<br />
The 2022 Champions of<br />
Economic Impact in Sports<br />
Tourism cited the two events<br />
after they generated $25.5 million<br />
between them.<br />
B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson<br />
said “We are so proud to have<br />
the positive impact of the iconic<br />
Bassmaster Classic recognised<br />
again, but also to highlight the<br />
incredible draw of our High School<br />
National Championship.”<br />
Lucky 13 for media<br />
group<br />
13 Fishing has become the<br />
exclusive rod and reel sponsor<br />
for all In-Depth Outdoors media,<br />
beginning with the current ice<br />
season.<br />
13 Fishing’s marketing director<br />
Ben Alcocer said: “In-Depth<br />
Outdoors is a staple when it<br />
comes to fishing content in the<br />
ice belt.<br />
“The organisation’s robust<br />
knowledge of both fishing<br />
techniques and equipment<br />
combined with their outstanding<br />
ability to educate through highquality<br />
content makes IDO one of<br />
a kind.”<br />
CARLISLE HEADS TO<br />
CALCUTTA FOR TOP ROLE<br />
Highly experienced brand leader Chris<br />
Carlisle has become president and general<br />
manager of US-based fishing tackle and<br />
outdoor sports equipment manufacturer<br />
Calcutta Outdoors.<br />
He will handle the day-to-day<br />
management of the outdoor sporting<br />
goods, lifestyle and fishing brands<br />
company effective immediately at its head<br />
office in North Carolina.<br />
With more than two decades of brand<br />
leadership, Chris marries a comprehensive<br />
knowledge of brand and performance<br />
marketing to a deep dedication to people<br />
and purpose.<br />
An award-winning thought leader and<br />
conference presenter, Chris’ domestic<br />
and international expertise in marketing<br />
technology and lifestyle branding, applied<br />
in both retail and manufacturing settings,<br />
will accelerate the momentum behind the<br />
Calcutta Outdoors brand portfolio.<br />
He spent nearly 20 years on brands like<br />
Oscar Mayer, Scrubbing Bubbles and Ball<br />
Jars. Most recently, Chris led the marketing<br />
efforts for BraunAbility, the world’s largest<br />
transportation mobility company, supporting<br />
the growth of the company’s North<br />
American manufacturing and retail units<br />
plus its European manufacturing division.<br />
Ed Small, CEO of parent firm Peak<br />
Global Holdings, said; “We are thrilled to<br />
have Chris join the Calcutta Outdoors team.<br />
Mud Hole aids redfish release<br />
As part of its continued work<br />
to support the health of local<br />
fisheries and ecosystems,<br />
Mud Hole Custom <strong>Tackle</strong><br />
again joined Coastal<br />
Conservation Association<br />
(CCA) Florida and the Duke<br />
Energy Mariculture Center<br />
to release more than 15,000<br />
redfish<br />
The release, part of<br />
the East Coast Redfish<br />
Restocking Initiative<br />
‘Release the East’ was<br />
the culmination of years<br />
of planning and activities<br />
to re-establish and grow<br />
the redfish population<br />
in Florida’s Indian River<br />
Lagoon.<br />
Chris Carlisle<br />
Mud Hole Custom <strong>Tackle</strong><br />
president Brook Oliva<br />
explained: “The Indian<br />
River is such an important<br />
ecosystem to the east coast of<br />
Florida and we are proud to<br />
work with CCA Florida to<br />
help with its preservation.<br />
“It’s been amazing to work<br />
with the whole CCA team<br />
over the past two years on<br />
this program. From catching<br />
the brood stock to today’s<br />
release of thousands of<br />
redfish, it’s been a rewarding<br />
effort for the Mud Hole<br />
Custom <strong>Tackle</strong> team.”<br />
The release of juvenile fish<br />
in the lagoon was just the<br />
beginning, as at least 100,000<br />
His extensive experience and track record<br />
in building and developing strong consumer<br />
brands will be a tremendous asset that will<br />
help Calcutta continue to provide best-inclass<br />
service and value to its customers.”<br />
Among the brands under Calcutta<br />
Outdoors’ umbrella are Calcutta, Sea Striker,<br />
Got-cha, South Bend, Shoreline Marine,<br />
Danielson, Kunnan, Ready2Fish, Billfisher,<br />
Star Rods and more.<br />
redfish were planned to be<br />
released throughout the<br />
month.<br />
CCA Florida executive<br />
director Brian Gorski said:<br />
“Partnering with Mud<br />
Hole Custom <strong>Tackle</strong> really<br />
helped move the Release<br />
the East effort forward,<br />
with financial support and<br />
hands-on volunteerism.<br />
It was only fitting to<br />
have Brook personally<br />
release the first group of<br />
redfish on Friday. We look<br />
forward to continuing our<br />
partnership with Mud Hole<br />
and establishing a thriving<br />
redfish population on<br />
Florida’s East Coast.”<br />
12 www.tackletradeworld.com
Costa gifts $50,000 for<br />
Hurricane Ian relief<br />
Costa Sunglasses has continued its support of Hurricane Ian relief<br />
efforts with a $50,000 donation to its long-time conservation partner<br />
Captains For Clean Water. The money will go towards the organisation’s<br />
Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to help those impacted by the<br />
hurricane at the end of September to get back on their feet.<br />
The category four hurricane caused catastrophic damage to southwest<br />
Florida, home to many Costa partners and pros. Costa, Captains For<br />
Clean Water and the fishing community in Florida were some of the<br />
first responders to jump into action after the hurricane.<br />
Justin Cupps, senior vice-president at Costa, said: “Being in Florida<br />
for the past 40 years, Costa is no stranger to hurricanes and the effects<br />
they have on our communities. As soon as we learned the magnitude<br />
of this storm, we were in close communication with our friends at<br />
Captains For Clean Water, based in Fort Myers. It’s been incredible to<br />
see their response and how they immediately jumped into action to do<br />
whatever was necessary, despite many of them losing their own homes.<br />
As a trusted partner, we’re honoured to follow their lead and support<br />
our community and friends after the tremendous damage Hurricane Ian<br />
caused.”<br />
Captains For Clean Water co-founder Chris Wittman added:<br />
“Fishing guides don’t wait for someone else to take the lead on how to<br />
fix a problem, we get to work and do what needs to be done.<br />
“Hurricane relief isn’t what our organisation was created to do, but<br />
since this directly impacts the people that fight with us for clean water,<br />
it’s our turn to fight for them – and Costa gets that. Always a phone call<br />
away, Costa has been on the ground alongside us to help with emergency<br />
relief efforts since day one. We’re incredibly grateful for their ongoing<br />
support, and know that together, we will rebuild this devastated fishing<br />
community.”<br />
OZFISH BIDS FOR<br />
JUNIOR ANGLERS<br />
Young fisherfolk in Australia now<br />
have their very own exclusive club<br />
designed to help them secure the<br />
future of the sport.<br />
Junior OzFishers is the latest<br />
initiative from Australia’s own<br />
recreational fishing charity,<br />
OzFish, which aims to improve<br />
fishing habitats. The new club will<br />
cater for children aged between<br />
four and 14 and will focus on<br />
helping them restore healthy<br />
habitat, adopt sustainable fishing<br />
practices, support native fish and<br />
secure the future of recreational<br />
fishing.<br />
It incorporates 10 challenges<br />
designed to engage, entertain and<br />
educate youngsters in better ways<br />
to look after waterways and be<br />
their custodians in the future.<br />
Cassie Price, OzFish director<br />
of Habitat Programs, said: “Since<br />
launching in 2015, OzFish has<br />
had the clear goal of creating<br />
better habitat for better fishing.<br />
We’ve mobilised the Australian<br />
recreational fishing community,<br />
with the support of our major<br />
partner BCF, to give back to our<br />
waterways.<br />
“It’s something we are proud<br />
to have seen happening on an<br />
ever-growing scale and Junior<br />
OzFishers is the next step. It will<br />
ensure the latest generation of<br />
recreational fishers do their part<br />
for a sustainable and long-term<br />
future for recreational fishing.<br />
“We already have many children<br />
and young people engaged in our<br />
projects through our family and<br />
junior memberships. However, we<br />
realised we didn’t have anything<br />
dedicated solely to engaging our<br />
young members.”
DEBUT TAIWAN TACKLE SHOW<br />
HAILED SUCCESS<br />
The first-ever Taiwan<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> Show at the start of<br />
October has been described<br />
as a resounding success by<br />
organisers, after attracting<br />
more than 10,000 visitors.<br />
The event, which took place<br />
between September 30th and<br />
October 2nd built on the<br />
growth of the Taiwanese tackle<br />
industry itself, which had an<br />
estimated market value of<br />
$US472 million last year with<br />
many respected Taiwanese<br />
fishing tackle brands increasing<br />
their global recognition.<br />
Charles Chang, president<br />
of the Taiwan Fishing<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> Association (TFTA),<br />
said: “This is a remarkable<br />
achievement with a vision<br />
looking for next international<br />
partnership.”<br />
Highlights included the<br />
introduction of recreational<br />
fishing in the island and<br />
marine sustainability.<br />
Demonstrations of fishing<br />
tackle recycling were also<br />
shown on-site during the<br />
event.<br />
The organisers explained<br />
they felt it was an event for<br />
family activities and also<br />
placed much emphasis on the<br />
protection of sea resources.<br />
The show was also supported<br />
by the government and<br />
academia such as Keelung<br />
Municipality and Taipei<br />
University of Marine<br />
Technology, with a mission to<br />
educate people how to know<br />
more about, to approach and to<br />
enjoy the ocean.<br />
The show organiser, under a<br />
public policy called “Respect<br />
Our Sea” by the Ocean<br />
Conservation Administration<br />
(OCA), has been helping<br />
Taiwanese people to better<br />
understand the spirit of<br />
sustainable leisure fishing and<br />
protection of sea resources.<br />
TFTA says it will continue<br />
to devote itself to the<br />
interaction and education of<br />
the industry and the promotion<br />
of sport fishing.<br />
A fishing carnival was also<br />
due to be held at Stone Park,<br />
Taichung on October 30th.<br />
St Croix backs veteran f ishing initiative<br />
US-based rod manufacturer St Croix has<br />
been giving back to veterans by supporting<br />
two concepts designed to back service<br />
members in their fishing endeavours.<br />
The firm opened up its facility in Park<br />
Falls, Wisconsin during one of eight<br />
fishing outings organised in 2022 by Take<br />
A Vet Fishing and Operation Healing<br />
Heroes Foundation.<br />
TAVF co-founder Jay Garstecki<br />
explained: “Our slogan is ‘A Day of Giving<br />
Back’ and our outings are at the core of our<br />
mission.<br />
“One of the highlights of our Eagle<br />
River event was a visit to St Croix Rod.<br />
St Croix has been a valuable long-time<br />
supporting partner of TAVF well<br />
as a corporate sponsor of OHHF.<br />
“They really rolled out the red<br />
carpet for our veterans, providing<br />
an in-depth, guided factory<br />
tour, a wonderful lunch with<br />
employees and they even gave<br />
them a handcrafted Premier rod<br />
with our TAVF logo.<br />
“They made our participating<br />
veterans not only feel appreciated<br />
but really made them feel a<br />
special part of the St Croix<br />
family.”<br />
St Croix vice-president of marketing,<br />
Jesse Simpkins, added: “Anyone who<br />
knows Jay and his organisations know that<br />
they don’t just take veterans fishing and<br />
send everyone home with fishing rods; they<br />
provide extensive service and support.”<br />
14 www.tackletradeworld.com
WORLD<br />
DESIGN - INNOVATION - EXCELLENCE<br />
CLASS<br />
Atomic tackle is a 100% Australian owned<br />
tackle company making rods, lures and line for<br />
a wide variety of fish species all over the world.<br />
With a guaranteed swimming action, and a<br />
huge choice, you can rely on Atomic when you<br />
absolutely have to catch fish.<br />
FISHING<br />
TACKLE<br />
WWW.ATOMICTACKLE.COM.AU
Fly line firm offers free<br />
recycling scheme<br />
Airflo, one of the world’s best-known fly<br />
line, leader and tippet manufacturers, is<br />
inviting consumers in the US to drop off<br />
any plastic-based fly lines, fishing lines<br />
and spools at participating retailers for<br />
free recycling.<br />
The company has partnered with<br />
TerraCycle, an innovative recycling<br />
company specialising in hard-to-recycle<br />
materials for its Airflo Free Fly Line<br />
Recycling Program, due to kick off early<br />
in <strong>2023</strong>.<br />
Jeff Wagner, president of Mayfly<br />
Outdoors and Airflo fly lines, explained:<br />
“Airflo and Mayfly Outdoors are<br />
committed to providing the best fly<br />
lines, leaders and tippet while protecting<br />
our natural environment through more<br />
sustainable solutions and reducing waste.<br />
“This presents one of our top priorities<br />
and commitments to our dedicated<br />
customers that share in this passion.<br />
Working together with fly shops and<br />
customers we can reduce our footprint<br />
and impact. This program combined<br />
with solar energy production (coming in<br />
<strong>2023</strong>), non-PVC lines, and giving back to<br />
conservation partners are a few ways we<br />
will continue to show this support.”<br />
The program aims to simultaneously<br />
provide a convenient recycling solution<br />
for items that do not belong in kerbside<br />
recycling bins while measurably reducing<br />
contamination levels in local waterways.<br />
According to the <strong>World</strong> Wildlife Fund,<br />
between 500,000 to 1 million tons of<br />
fishing gear are discarded or lost in the<br />
ocean yearly. Discarded nets, lines, and<br />
ropes make up about 46 per cent of the<br />
Great Pacific Garbage Patch.<br />
“At TerraCycle, our goal is to<br />
‘Eliminate the Idea of Waste’ on and<br />
off the land,” said Tom Szaky, founder<br />
and CEO of TerraCycle. “Through our<br />
partnership with Airflo, we are providing<br />
consumers a free and easy way to<br />
responsibly recycle their waste and enjoy<br />
a favourite pastime.”<br />
The scheme is in addition to other<br />
proactive sustainability measures<br />
implemented by the brand, including<br />
designing water contamination-causing<br />
plasticisers out of its fly lines.<br />
While the majority of fly lines are<br />
made with PVC – a naturally rigid<br />
plastic that requires plasticizer additives<br />
to increase plasticity – Airflo fly lines<br />
are made from polyurethane, an inert<br />
material that requires no plasticisers and<br />
lasts longer than PVC.<br />
Wiley X scoops fourth EFTTEX<br />
award in a row<br />
Eyewear manufacturer Wiley<br />
X is celebrating winning its<br />
fourth EFTTEX Best New<br />
Product Award in a row – the<br />
first time any brand has done<br />
this.<br />
The firm won Best New<br />
Sunglass Product once again<br />
– this time in a digital online<br />
showcase event (as the inperson<br />
EFTTEX 2022 show<br />
had been cancelled) for its WX<br />
Ozone with CAPTIVATE<br />
technology.<br />
Wiley X EMEA president<br />
Jan Mikkelsen said: “We are so<br />
honoured by this award – for<br />
the fourth time in a row, it’s<br />
terrific! It’s the first win with<br />
our CAPTIVATE technology<br />
and it’s nice to see that the<br />
independent judges are just as<br />
excited by the technology as<br />
we are.”<br />
The WX Ozone features<br />
CAPTIVATE polarised<br />
blue mirror lenses and the<br />
company’s new Click A.I.R<br />
gasket for easy, one-click<br />
ventilation to avoid fogging<br />
– a perfect combination of<br />
durability and technology.<br />
Jan added: “We are known<br />
for the extraordinary quality<br />
of our polarised lenses as well<br />
as an uncompromising, high<br />
level of protection and we<br />
are happy to have been given<br />
this acknowledgement for our<br />
amazing lens technology.”<br />
Its CAPTIVATE<br />
technology, which ensures<br />
contrast and colour<br />
enhancement, was launched in<br />
2020 and has since been a great<br />
success. Together with their<br />
polarised filter, which removes<br />
glare from reflective surfaces,<br />
the lenses are said to deliver the<br />
best possible optical conditions<br />
for anglers, who now can see<br />
the fish clearly in the water.<br />
Jan elaborated: “We try<br />
to constantly develop our<br />
materials, technology and<br />
designs. That is why we are so<br />
grateful for this recognition – it<br />
really demonstrates that our<br />
hard efforts are worthwhile.”<br />
It’s one thing to win but it’s<br />
something entirely different for<br />
a company to win four times in<br />
a row. It is a true achievement<br />
and it really underlines Wiley<br />
X’s strong reputation as one of<br />
the leading manufacturers of<br />
polarised, protective eyewear<br />
worldwide.<br />
16 www.tackletradeworld.com
STOPPIONI s.n.c. Firenze Italy Prod. Effevuemme s.r.l.<br />
Tel.+39 0558739615 -Fax +39 0558739648 stonfo@stonfo.com<br />
Art.687<br />
APICALE SOFTLINK<br />
The quickest and safest device to connect line<br />
and elastic. The Softlink elastic connector is<br />
composed of an highly resistant body with rubber<br />
knot cover. It is ideal for solid or hollow elastics up<br />
to 4 mm of diameter.<br />
rubber<br />
knot cover<br />
Art.694<br />
PTFE CURVED<br />
Bush in pure curved PTFE realized to facilitate<br />
the elastic retrieving outside the pole during the<br />
fight. It ensures the maximum smoothness of<br />
both solid and hollow elastics.<br />
Other features:<br />
small, lightweight, elegant design with reduced<br />
overhang. The mounting on the pole, thanks to an<br />
exclusive click system, is very easy, quick,<br />
secure and doesn't need the use of glue.<br />
Supplied with 2 useful elastic holders.<br />
FUJI ® ULTRA-Poly ®<br />
Wrapping Thread<br />
it’s not just good, it’s FUJI ® good.<br />
Preferred by the best custom rod builders and<br />
factories worldwide. ULTRA-Poly ® is a colorfast<br />
polyester guide<br />
wrapping thread made<br />
exclusively for FUJI ®<br />
to wrap smooth,<br />
burnish without<br />
fuzzies and resist<br />
fading. You’ll enjoy<br />
intense color that<br />
gets better with<br />
every coat of finish.<br />
Contact info@<br />
anglersresource.<br />
net for more information.<br />
Carded<br />
product available<br />
for retail.<br />
US and International Patent# 10,349,643<br />
Photo courtesy of<br />
Scott Fly Rods<br />
Exclusive FUJI Agent North America<br />
Foley, Alabama USA • info@anglersresource.net<br />
www.anglersresource.net<br />
A ReputAtion You CAn Build on<br />
SinCe 1968<br />
www.REC.com | SALES@REC.COM | 1.860.749.3476 x202<br />
Thread ad for TTW.indd 1<br />
5/9/22 9:41 AM
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
BOAT<br />
ACCESSORIES<br />
SPOTLIGHT ON<br />
BOAT ACCESSORIES<br />
Any existing or new small boat owner (see last month’s feature!) will need a<br />
raft of essential items before setting sail to the fishing grounds.<br />
Safety, comfort, ease and success are<br />
all words that spring to mind when<br />
considering an angling boat trip, but<br />
what can a tackle store offer to facilitate<br />
these elements?<br />
From life preservers to waterproof<br />
luggage, from fishfinders to anchors, from<br />
seats to electric motors, there’s plenty<br />
to stock on your shelves to improve the<br />
experience and make it more comfortable<br />
for boat anglers when out trying to catch<br />
fish.<br />
Top of anyone’s list and without doubt<br />
the most important is safety, and no<br />
matter how strong a swimmer anyone<br />
claims to be, some form of life preserver,<br />
lifejacket or buoyancy aid is absolutely<br />
indispensable when out on the water.<br />
Conditions can change in an instant and<br />
capsizing into any water is dangerous, no<br />
matter how shallow, deep, warm or cold.<br />
From foam filled vests for kayaking and<br />
canoeing to more sophisticated inflatable<br />
life jackets, if you sell boats you should<br />
sell a range of these.<br />
Other safety items include lights and<br />
torches, flares, compasses, whistles; having<br />
a small selection for new owners to buy<br />
will enable them to set out on the water<br />
soon after leaving your shop… and safely.<br />
Then there’s the need to keep tackle, as<br />
well as belongings such as spare clothes,<br />
cameras and mobile phones dry in what<br />
can be a wet environment, so efficient<br />
waterproof luggage and storage boxes are<br />
a good choice. Water is unforgiving and<br />
relentless, and can penetrate even the<br />
smallest cracks or imperfect seals, so your<br />
storage solutions need to be watertight.<br />
Finding your camera or mobile phone<br />
sitting in a pool of water, or putting on<br />
an extra layer of clothing to warm up and<br />
finding it cold and damp is not going<br />
to cut it, so any bag or box needs to be<br />
impervious to water ingress.<br />
If the boat is to be used on inland<br />
waters a fishfinder or fishspotter will be<br />
a useful asset, with anything from a glass<br />
18 www.tackletradeworld.com
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
BOAT<br />
ACCESSORIES<br />
An electric outboard can<br />
make boat movement<br />
stealthy and easy.<br />
Fishfinders can be as high<br />
or low tech as you want.<br />
If a rainstorm moves in while you’re out<br />
on the water you may be stuck out there,<br />
so good waterproof gear is a must. It’s the<br />
same stuff that anglers use on the bank, but<br />
lightweight versions that can be screwed up<br />
and stowed in a stuff sack can be a popular<br />
choice. Also, brightly coloured or fluoro<br />
versions are best when afloat, to enable easy<br />
spotting by potential rescuers if in distress.<br />
The same goes for life preservers.<br />
If you have the space in store, other<br />
useful items might include paddles, anchors,<br />
gloves and boat seats. And if you sold them<br />
an inflatable, a pump to pump it up with!<br />
Don’t go afloat without one of these.<br />
bottomed bucket through to electronic<br />
sonar systems doing the job of finding out<br />
what lies beneath. These don’t have to cost<br />
the earth to be efficient, so having one or<br />
two on display is quite feasible.<br />
While it is unlikely many tackle<br />
stores will sell outboard engines, there is<br />
certainly scope for an electric outboard<br />
to power through the inland waterways.<br />
Electric trolling motors are best used on<br />
small boats on calmer freshwaters and can<br />
make life afloat much more pleasurable,<br />
as well as being cleaner, quieter and<br />
more affordable than many outboards. In<br />
keeping with small boats, they won’t take<br />
up too much room in the van or trailer<br />
and have forward and reverse gears to<br />
quickly and quietly manoeuvre yourself<br />
into the perfect position to make that vital<br />
cast, or perhaps carry a boatload of carp<br />
gear from one side of a large lake to an<br />
otherwise inaccessible island or far bank<br />
swim.<br />
… as do tackle boxes and<br />
… as do tackle boxes and<br />
storage.<br />
Bags and luggage<br />
need to be completely<br />
waterproof…<br />
Alternative seating<br />
arrangements are available.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
19
SPOTLIGHT ON...<br />
BOAT<br />
ACCESSORIES<br />
MILLENNIUM<br />
MARINE<br />
MONITOR MOUNTS<br />
These depth finder and<br />
fishfinder monitor<br />
mounts are constructed<br />
with corrosionresistant<br />
anodised<br />
aluminium that stands<br />
up to harsh elements. Designed<br />
to securely hold single or double monitors<br />
at the perfect angle, they offer a wide array<br />
of adjustments, including rotation, height<br />
and viewing angle. The mounts provide<br />
a 180-degree base rotation, a 180-degree<br />
tilting riser, and an adjustable telescopic riser<br />
from 18 to 24 inches.<br />
www.millenniumstands.com<br />
HUK<br />
ROGUE WAVE FISHING BOOT<br />
Huk’s Rogue Wave fishing boots are<br />
specifically designed for all-day comfort and<br />
engineered for optimal performance in any<br />
condition. The boots feature an 8mm thick<br />
moulded EVA footbed that provides plenty<br />
of underfoot cushioning and support so<br />
anglers can extend their time on the water.<br />
The GRIP-X outsoles deliver unbeatable<br />
traction to avoid slips and spills, no matter<br />
how slick the deck or dock may become.<br />
At 38oz per pair, the Rogue Wave delivers a<br />
lightweight and durable fishing boot that can<br />
conquer the most inclement weather.<br />
www.hukgear.com<br />
POWER-POLE<br />
CHARGE MARINE POWER MANAGEMENT<br />
STATION<br />
A battery charger, a charge-on-the-run, and<br />
emergency start system – all in one compact<br />
unit. Automatically devotes more power<br />
to the batteries that need it the most for<br />
maximum efficiency, whether it is the trolling<br />
motor, live wells or other devices, so boaters<br />
can enjoy more time on the water.<br />
Whether you are plugged in directly to a<br />
120V power outlet at the dock, at home or<br />
while using it to charge from your primary<br />
motor while on the run, the CHARGE system<br />
replenishes your entire battery bank,<br />
including the 12V cranking battery and up to<br />
three auxiliary batteries, all at once.<br />
power-pole.com<br />
HOBIE<br />
TRACK MOUNT MINI BIN<br />
Despite the name, the Track Mount Mini<br />
Bin packs serious utility. The oversized<br />
tension wheel and locking ab on the<br />
underside of the bin make for a very<br />
secure installation. Featuring a moulded<br />
tool holder, knife slot, braid scissor holder/<br />
pad eye, this bin holds it all. A snap-in floor<br />
makes cleaning easy, and the raised drain<br />
channels shed water and prevent pooling.<br />
www.hobie.com<br />
RAM<br />
DRILL-DOWN BALL MOUNT<br />
Designed specifically for the Humminbird<br />
Helix 8-15, Solix 10-15, and Apex 13 & 16, the<br />
RAM Drill-Down Ball Mount is the most<br />
premier solution for mounting marine<br />
electronics on boats. Made of powdercoated,<br />
marine-grade aluminium, the<br />
included RAM Hi-Torq Wrench provides<br />
extra leverage and even more security when<br />
you use it to tighten the knob on the socket<br />
arm.<br />
rammount.com<br />
PLANO<br />
STOWALL<br />
The transparent design and super-strong<br />
waterproof closures make it easy to<br />
identify and access contents in a flash.<br />
Store anything from fishing tackle to cell<br />
phone, wallets to soft plastics in one do-itall<br />
waterproof bag.<br />
planomolding.com<br />
TRUE<br />
SWIFT EDGE FILLET KIT<br />
True’s Swift Edge Fish Fillet Kit features a<br />
handle, three fillet blades, a moulded sheath,<br />
and a soft storage case. The knife handle is<br />
made from thermoplastic rubber and houses<br />
a lanyard/carabiner mount on the rear. This<br />
design and material are more useful in wet<br />
and slippery environments as it provides a<br />
better gripping surface.<br />
Pre-installed is a 7½in fillet blade. The kit<br />
also includes 6in and 9½in blades, which<br />
can quickly be changed by moving the<br />
toggle lock on the back of the handle and<br />
depressing the release tab. All blades are<br />
5Cr13 steel with a titanium nitrate coating for<br />
extra durability and hardness.<br />
www.true.acgbrands.com<br />
20 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
PLANO<br />
MEDIUM ABS WATERPROOF CASE<br />
A Dri-Loc O-ring seal turns the Medium ABS<br />
Waterproof Case into a waterproof, airtight<br />
environment for all your valuables and<br />
electronics like cell phones, Go Pro cameras<br />
and memory cards.<br />
The interior features a TPR rubber lining<br />
so contents won’t slide around or scratch.<br />
Supplied with a carry strap that secures<br />
around the wrist.<br />
planomolding.com<br />
AQUAGLIDE<br />
FRAME SEAT<br />
The AG Frame Seat can be added to<br />
most Aquaglide SUP models for a unique<br />
paddling experience. With a sturdy<br />
aluminium frame, supporting padded air<br />
mesh seat and seat back, fully adjustable<br />
back angle and two seat height settings.<br />
The AG Frame Seat is also compatible on<br />
other paddleboards that have tie-down<br />
points to create a Hybrid SUP/Kayak.<br />
www.aquaglide.com
UNI PRODUCTS J.G. Cote Inc.<br />
1004 Principale<br />
Ste-Melanie, QC. Canada JOK 3AO<br />
Tel: 450-889-8054<br />
Toll-Free: 1-877-889-8054<br />
Fax: 450-889-5887<br />
Email: info@uniproducts.com<br />
NEW FOR <strong>2023</strong><br />
UNI-MYLAR TINSEL WHITE AND BLACK THREE SIZES<br />
UNI-FLAT BRAID 8 PLIES<br />
SMALL HOLOGRAPHIC GOLD<br />
UNI-THREAD 8/0 PUMPKIN<br />
WAXED OR UNWAXED<br />
Look to UNI for the best in spooled fly-tying materials!<br />
www.uniproducts.com
DBW...<br />
the UK<br />
d O i n G B U S i n e S S W i t h . . .<br />
THE UK<br />
A union of four countries that even together is smaller than<br />
some US states, the UK remains a big player in the global<br />
tackle market.<br />
T<br />
he United Kingdom is made<br />
up of four geographic and<br />
historical parts – England,<br />
Scotland, Wales and Northern<br />
Ireland. Together England,<br />
Wales and Scotland constitute<br />
Great Britain, the larger of the<br />
two principal islands, while<br />
Northern Ireland and the<br />
republic of Ireland constitute<br />
the second largest island,<br />
Ireland.<br />
Apart from the land border<br />
with the Irish republic, the<br />
UK is surrounded by seas<br />
including the English Channel,<br />
the North Sea, the Irish Sea<br />
and the Atlantic Ocean. At its<br />
widest the United Kingdom<br />
is 300 miles across. From the<br />
northern tip of Scotland to the<br />
southern coast of England, it<br />
is about 600 miles. No part is<br />
more than 75 miles from the<br />
sea.<br />
On a global scale, the UK<br />
covers a small area about the<br />
same size as the US state of<br />
Oregon or the African country<br />
of Guinea. The UK’s islands<br />
only rank 78th in the world,<br />
and are easily surpassed by<br />
countries like Germany, France<br />
and Spain. The US states that<br />
are bigger than the UK include<br />
Alaska, Texas, Montana and<br />
New Mexico.<br />
And although the UK can<br />
fit into Australia’s Queensland<br />
state seven times and North<br />
Queensland alone is the size<br />
of Scotland, the UK still plays<br />
an important role on the world<br />
stage. What it lacks in size,<br />
the UK makes up for with its<br />
population, especially when<br />
compared to its European<br />
neighbours. The UK has a<br />
population surpassing that of<br />
the much larger France and<br />
Spain and is number three<br />
24 www.tackletradeworld.com
DBW...<br />
the UK<br />
eCOnOMy FOCUS<br />
$3.187 trillion GDP (USD)<br />
$47,334.46 GDP per capita (USD)<br />
7.4% GDP growth rate (average)<br />
3.5% Unemployment rate<br />
Top export partners:<br />
– USA $59.5 billion<br />
– Switzerland $39.5 billion<br />
– Germany $38.8 billion<br />
– netherlands $34.4 billion<br />
– France $25.6 billion<br />
The<br />
UK is<br />
greater<br />
than the<br />
sum of<br />
its parts.<br />
Top import partners:<br />
– China $91.16 billion<br />
– Germany $75.51 billion<br />
– USA $59.69 billion<br />
– netherlands $41.62 billion<br />
– norway $35.97 billion<br />
FACt FiLe<br />
Capital: London<br />
Dialling code: +44<br />
Population: 68,714,493<br />
Prime Minister: Rishi Sunak<br />
Official languages: English<br />
Time zones: GMT<br />
Currency: Pound<br />
Internet domain: .co.uk<br />
on the list of Europe’s most<br />
populated countries, only<br />
surpassed by Turkey, Germany<br />
and Russia.<br />
the FiShinG tACKLe SeCtOr<br />
According to government<br />
figures around four million<br />
people in Britain take part in<br />
some form of fishing activity,<br />
making it one of the nation’s<br />
biggest participation sports,<br />
although membership of<br />
angling clubs has seen a slight<br />
decline in recent years. Pre-<br />
Covid rod licence sales fell<br />
to about 1.19 million sales in<br />
2016/17, but since lockdown<br />
restrictions eased and angling<br />
was one of the few activities<br />
allowed, licence sales and<br />
tackle sales have been on the<br />
increase.<br />
There are between 2,000<br />
and 2,500 fishing tackle<br />
retailers in the UK, typically<br />
owner-managed businesses.<br />
It is estimated that the total<br />
annual market for fishing<br />
tackle is worth about £600<br />
million. Traditionally, British<br />
fishing stores are local,<br />
independent and smaller<br />
family run businesses and<br />
have an important place in<br />
the community as a place to<br />
go for advice and information.<br />
The UK tackle shop industry<br />
has been likened to a cottage<br />
industry where many of the<br />
retailers are anglers who turned<br />
their hobby into a job rather<br />
than savvy businessmen with<br />
heads for retail. Over the<br />
last decade or so, things have<br />
started to change, in part down<br />
to the growth of some of the<br />
bigger retailers and the gradual<br />
introduction of some chain<br />
stores, and in part down to an<br />
increase in professionalism<br />
among retailers. Now the UK<br />
has the likes of Angling Direct<br />
and Fishing Republic and also<br />
the increasing involvement<br />
of general outdoor retailers<br />
such as Go Outdoors and<br />
Decathlon, with a huge range<br />
of stock and mail order sales,<br />
although the number of smaller<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
25
DBW...<br />
the UK<br />
retailers has been falling.<br />
Since Covid, angling clubs<br />
have been overwhelmed with<br />
new recruits and fishing tackle<br />
retailer Angling Direct said its<br />
annual sales had risen 27 per<br />
cent to almost £68m despite its<br />
stores being closed for months,<br />
while Argos reported its sales<br />
of fishing kit were up 300 per<br />
cent. Farlows, the upmarket<br />
tackle store that sells online<br />
and from a flagship store in<br />
London, said web sales rose<br />
by 70 per cent, with sales<br />
of beginner kits more than<br />
doubling, and the demand is<br />
still there.<br />
Retailers of fishing tackle<br />
struggled to keep up with<br />
demand as thousands of people<br />
took up angling as a pandemic<br />
pastime and a physically<br />
distanced way to enjoy the<br />
outdoors and the number of<br />
annual rod licence applications<br />
in England and Wales surged<br />
by more than 120,000 in 2020.<br />
The two dominant styles<br />
of fishing in the UK are carp<br />
fishing and general coarse<br />
fishing. Modern carp fishing<br />
was pioneered in the UK<br />
and the country remains the<br />
trendsetter for this style and<br />
the culture around it. There are<br />
many retailers who specialise<br />
only in carp fishing and often<br />
take larger units to be able to<br />
properly display some of the<br />
larger products involved in<br />
carp fishing such as bivvies,<br />
bedchairs, rod rests, barrows<br />
to carry tackle to your peg and<br />
so on. Carp fishing is the main<br />
discipline attracting young<br />
anglers to the sport, who see it<br />
as cool and edgy.<br />
Coarse fishing includes most<br />
kinds of freshwater fishing for<br />
species including roach, bream,<br />
rudd, tench and perch to name<br />
a few. Using bait, whether<br />
natural or man-made, is the<br />
most common way to fish like<br />
this, which means many tackle<br />
shops must have fridges and<br />
cold storage to keep things like<br />
maggots and worms in good<br />
condition. A sub-division of<br />
this type of fishing is match<br />
fishing, with the winner being<br />
the one who catches the<br />
biggest overall weight of fish.<br />
26 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
Carp fishing is<br />
a popular entry<br />
point for the sport.<br />
Feeder fishing is booming in the UK.<br />
Most fishing retailers will sell<br />
some tackle for coarse fishing<br />
of some type. A recent trend<br />
is the surge in feeder fishing<br />
gear as this method has taken<br />
off in popularity, with many<br />
feeder-only competitions<br />
now, including <strong>World</strong><br />
Championships.<br />
Other types of fishing<br />
common in the UK include<br />
fly fishing and lure fishing. Fly<br />
fishing has many of its own<br />
dedicated retail stores, whereas<br />
lure fishing items tend to be<br />
sold by general tackle stores or<br />
by carp stores in the winter as<br />
carp anglers often turn their<br />
attention to predator species<br />
like pike, perch and zander in<br />
the colder months.<br />
UK fishing tackle stores are<br />
very varied and anglers like a<br />
bargain – they will often opt<br />
for the lower end of the price<br />
spectrum in many cases. There<br />
are of course those who spend<br />
a lot on their fishing tackle,<br />
but these are fewer and fewer.<br />
In 2021, UK manufacturers<br />
sold over £63 million worth of<br />
fishing rods, line fishing tackle,<br />
and other fishing or hunting<br />
articles.<br />
Given the onset of the latest<br />
cost of living crisis it will be<br />
interesting to see how this<br />
affects tackle sales.<br />
Match fishing has always been<br />
popular and can set new trends.
DBW...<br />
the UK<br />
i n d u s t r y V I E W s<br />
Ann Kitchener, CEO Semperfli Fly Tying Materials Ltd, established 2010<br />
Semperfli is a UK based<br />
manufacturer of fly tying<br />
materials selling trade only<br />
to a global market. Winner of<br />
the Queen’s Award for Export<br />
due to the high amounts of<br />
international trade we do,<br />
we absolutely value our home<br />
market most highly.<br />
With all of our products being<br />
produced at our Yorkshire base<br />
in the north of England, with<br />
our own staff we are passionate<br />
about what we do.<br />
Our social media analysis<br />
shows that internationally<br />
the age of our end user is<br />
predominantly 35 to 44 and<br />
based outside of the UK.<br />
Whereas our British market<br />
age range is mainly 60 plus.<br />
Consequently we see huge<br />
differences between our<br />
markets.<br />
We do see that the UK market<br />
does seems to lag behind the<br />
international markets in<br />
adoption of new products by<br />
one to two years.<br />
With Covid we have seen<br />
a lot of change in the market.<br />
During lockdown people were<br />
at home and spent their money<br />
on their hobbies so fly tying<br />
grew massively. Our dealers<br />
in the UK were doing massive<br />
sales at that time and have<br />
continued to do so. There were<br />
also supply issues from a lot of<br />
overseas manufacturers so a lot<br />
of stores converted to Semperfli<br />
as our factory didn’t close<br />
and we had stock to delivery<br />
promptly.<br />
As the economic climate is<br />
biting, feedback we are getting<br />
from our dealers is that less<br />
spend is happening on capital<br />
gear such as rods but still<br />
consumable fly tying materials<br />
is strong. People appear<br />
understandably timid of the<br />
oncoming recession but want<br />
to maintain contact with their<br />
hobbies where they can do so at<br />
a low cost. Tying materials are<br />
affordable. Tying is a relaxing<br />
pastime that people can enjoy<br />
at home.<br />
The past years we have seen<br />
a decrease in the materials in<br />
the UK for salmon flies for<br />
example, possibly related to the<br />
Scottish salmon farm issues<br />
and decreases in natural stock.<br />
Simultaneously we are seeing<br />
increases in trout, predator<br />
and saltwater materials.<br />
What is most interesting is<br />
these trends are not reflected<br />
in our international markets.<br />
The climate change affecting<br />
fishing and sewerage problems<br />
appear to be driving fly tyers<br />
to stocked reservoirs and new<br />
species, for example pike and<br />
saltwater. These are trends that<br />
we see less of in our USA and<br />
Canadian markets probably<br />
due to the highly diverse nature<br />
of species targeted and the fact<br />
these countries are so vast. Here<br />
fishing is much more accessible<br />
without the restrictions we see<br />
in the UK with private waters<br />
etc.<br />
Patrick MacInnes, Marketing Manager, Leeda UK, established 1980s<br />
Leeda is one of the longestrunning<br />
companies in the<br />
UK angling sector, with own<br />
brands such as MAP, Wychwood<br />
and ICON sitting alongside<br />
wholesale distribution brands<br />
such as Mustad, Maxima, Petzl,<br />
and Lowrance.<br />
We have a long history in<br />
servicing the many sectors of<br />
angling in the UK and are one of<br />
the few companies who still cover<br />
all disciplines under one portfolio.<br />
Since the 1980s, Leeda has<br />
always had a place in UK tackle<br />
shops, with an increasing export<br />
business that now accounts for<br />
a significant proportion of its<br />
turnover. However, we have<br />
always focused on our local<br />
market first and foremost, which<br />
has given us the opportunity to<br />
really fine-tune what our inhouse<br />
brands are all about.<br />
MAP is our key matchoriented<br />
brand and continues<br />
to go from strength to strength;<br />
pole sales continue to be a major<br />
part of the brand’s appeal – our<br />
TKS series is one of the most<br />
popular in Europe – but we are<br />
really biting into the popularity<br />
of feeder fishing both here in the<br />
UK, and abroad with ranges such<br />
as Parabolix and DUAL.<br />
Wychwood is our specimen/<br />
carp/game brand and again, is<br />
firmly established. Carp sales are<br />
predictably strong because of the<br />
bias towards carping here in the<br />
UK, but we continue to offer an<br />
extensive game fishing portfolio<br />
and are investing in it. We’re<br />
also expanding our predator<br />
range – Agitator – which we feel<br />
will be a huge growth area for<br />
us in <strong>2023</strong>. Specimen fishing (ie<br />
non-carp) is also an area we are<br />
aiming to target once again.<br />
The UK is a hugely varied<br />
market; carp fishing dominates<br />
but in certain regions, match<br />
fishing is very strong. With<br />
thousands of miles of coastline,<br />
sea fishing is still a large market<br />
but one that is not the focus for<br />
many companies.<br />
Brexit was a major hurdle<br />
for the whole industry and the<br />
pandemic further highlighted<br />
to us the importance of having<br />
really strong relationships with<br />
our manufacturing partners to<br />
ensure throughput of product<br />
remained fluid; the uncertainty<br />
of Covid threw the industry into<br />
turmoil but we have ridden the<br />
storm well because we have been<br />
able to react quickly to events as<br />
they unfolded. Retailers have<br />
had confidence in working with<br />
us not only because we offer such<br />
a wide portfolio, but also because<br />
our ability to warehouse on<br />
behalf of retailers is received well<br />
by the trade – we’re not about<br />
forcing high levels of stock into<br />
our retailers via extended credit.<br />
The future is really bright<br />
for our brands; our wholesale<br />
business is as strong and focused<br />
as ever, thanks to having really<br />
trusted, popular brands on board.<br />
Our in-house brands are also<br />
well cemented into retailers and<br />
over the next two years we will<br />
be working hard to diversify<br />
both MAP and Wychwood to not<br />
only keep offering really unique,<br />
innovative products, but also to<br />
stay ahead of trends and cater<br />
for a wider variety of end user<br />
types as budgets and angling<br />
preferences evolve.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
27
FEATURE<br />
Icast<br />
ICAST <strong>2023</strong> SET TO BE<br />
BETTER THAN EVER<br />
The best place to see innovative products is ramping up with new features and returning<br />
favourites this year as ICAST <strong>2023</strong> starts taking shape.<br />
ICAST, the annual recreational fishing<br />
industry’s trade show produced by the<br />
American Sportfishing Association,<br />
has become a gathering place not<br />
only for US-based buyers and media<br />
but for a global array of businesses from<br />
Europe, South America, Australia, Africa<br />
and Asia too.<br />
International attendees fish the rolling<br />
rivers of the Scottish highlands, the<br />
tropical reefs of the Queensland coastline<br />
and the swirling depths of the Peruvian<br />
rainforest. They know where to fish for bass<br />
in Spain, Italy, Japan and South Africa.<br />
In 2022, businesses from 73 countries<br />
made their way to Florida, USA, to join<br />
a crowd of more than 12,000 attendees<br />
at an event that serves as the signature<br />
experience of the summer for people who<br />
live and breathe the business of fishing.<br />
“ICAST is the number one destination<br />
for everything an angler would need for<br />
their ultimate, on-the-water experience,”<br />
said trade show and membership director<br />
Blake Swango.<br />
Last year, 585 exhibitors set up shop<br />
inside the spacious halls of Orlando’s<br />
Orange County Convention Center. From<br />
elaborate, double-decker booths with<br />
cocktail bars and meeting rooms to simple<br />
10x10 setups with a trifold, exhibitors<br />
showcased an astounding array of products.<br />
The latest fishing lures were on tap but<br />
so too were shoes, raincoats, nets, coolers,<br />
sunglasses, weights, hooks, paddles, rods,<br />
28 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
reels, lines, tackle boxes and sonar units.<br />
“Fishing tackle is at the core of ICAST,<br />
but ICAST is so much more than fishing<br />
tackle,” added Blake. “Each year, we<br />
look for opportunities to add events and<br />
activities that help showcase everything our<br />
exhibitors have to offer. And add some fun<br />
to make it even more memorable.”<br />
NEW FOR <strong>2023</strong><br />
To emphasise that point, the <strong>2023</strong> show<br />
will return to Orlando from July 11th<br />
to 14th with an expanded New Product<br />
Showcase that ushers in more categories<br />
for manufacturers.<br />
The show will feature six new fly<br />
fishing categories ranging from clothing<br />
to rods and reels and two new categories<br />
for boating accessories.<br />
“Fly fishing has always been a part<br />
of ICAST,” Blake explained. “This year,<br />
we are creating even more ways for the<br />
fly fishing community to be a part of<br />
the show and elevating their presence<br />
in the New Product Showcase. That<br />
goes alongside new lifestyle categories<br />
that allow more of the innovative, less<br />
traditional products that have been<br />
making appearances at the show to<br />
shine.”<br />
Outdoors, attendees will once again<br />
have the opportunity to investigate<br />
products at ICAST On The Water<br />
Demo Day. There, tackle dealers can cast,<br />
retrieve and paddle new products while<br />
networking with the manufacturers who<br />
designed them. And buyers and media<br />
have the option of participating in a<br />
professional bass fishing tournament on<br />
Lake Toho with Major League Fishing.<br />
Daily Lunch & Learn business<br />
seminars are set to return to the show<br />
floor, with topics covering the gamut<br />
from marketing your business in an<br />
evolving economy to managing your<br />
social media with a limited staff.<br />
Seminars are led by industry veterans,<br />
agency insiders and passionate activists<br />
that are helping to shape the landscape of<br />
recreational fishing today.<br />
Meanwhile, after-hours networking<br />
events help keep attendees brimming<br />
with ideas that can help push their<br />
businesses to grow.<br />
Blake concluded: “But, as always, the<br />
star of the show will be the products<br />
themselves. In July, buyers and will come<br />
from all corners of the globe to convene<br />
at an unmissable affair that sets the tone<br />
for the future of fishing every year.”<br />
Registration for ICAST <strong>2023</strong> opens<br />
during the second week of February at<br />
ICASTFishing.org . There, tackle dealers<br />
can browse through more information<br />
about events during show week, the New<br />
Product Showcase itself and a gallery of<br />
videos from last year’s event.<br />
ICAST<br />
ICASTFishing.org
Welcome to the world of<br />
&<br />
This is where passion, clever design and<br />
practical knowledge results in award<br />
winning quality fly fishing gear, and<br />
now also spin fishing gear, for the most<br />
dedicated, demanding and price/margin<br />
oriented customers.<br />
Following a year where we expanded<br />
into spin fishing with a very positive<br />
response and growth we’re now seeking<br />
new partners globally (distributors,sales<br />
agents and/or retailers), but especially<br />
in Australia, New Zealand, Germany,<br />
UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Canada, USA,<br />
Poland, Austria, Norway, Finland, Iceland<br />
and Spain.<br />
Interested? Contact: A.Jensen Fly Fishing - Denmark<br />
info@AJensenFlyFishing.com www.AJensenFlyFishing.com Tel: 45 48264547
FEATURE<br />
SIMMS PUTS BEST FOOT<br />
FORWARD TO <strong>2023</strong><br />
With a long-standing history and reputation of delivering the most performance driven,<br />
reliable, fishing focused gear on the planet, each year, Bozeman-based Simms Fishing<br />
Products faces a recurring self-imposed challenge – raising the industry bar they continually<br />
set season after season, year after year.<br />
Thirty years ago, Simms<br />
introduced the first ever<br />
waterproof/breathable wader<br />
– after its release, everything<br />
changed. Not only did this wader launch<br />
Simms on its current trajectory, it also<br />
set a new standard for the entire fishing<br />
industry. It’s also a wader that’s served<br />
as a baseline that Simms has been<br />
innovating against ever since.<br />
For Simms, though, innovation doesn’t<br />
begin and end with waders. Now that<br />
2022 has come and gone, its spring <strong>2023</strong><br />
collection has arrived and, true to form,<br />
game-changing innovations can be found<br />
across all categories.<br />
WADING ON<br />
The popular Freestone and Tributary<br />
wader collections have been reimagined<br />
and are both prime examples of Simms<br />
utilising innovations found in other<br />
award-winning models such as G3 and<br />
G4.<br />
Built with an incredibly durable,<br />
waterproof/breathable four-layer Toray<br />
Quadralam fabric package, the men’s,<br />
women’s and Freestone pant offer more<br />
comfort, mobility and performance than<br />
ever before. Simms has incorporated<br />
its patented front and back leg seams<br />
for enhanced range of motion and has<br />
also eliminated the previous self-fabric,<br />
gathered elastic bottom hem in exchange<br />
for built-in neoprene gravel guards.<br />
For anglers just getting into fly fishing,<br />
the all-new Tributary collection (men’s,<br />
women’s and kids’) provides waterproof/<br />
breathability in a feature-rich wader<br />
equipped with tons of Simms DNA. Built Men’s Freestone Wader Men’s Tributary Wader<br />
30 www.tackletradeworld.com
Simms<br />
FEATURE<br />
SolarFlex Guide Hoody<br />
Challenger Jacket<br />
SolarFlex Wind Hoody<br />
with a four-layer lower and a threelayer<br />
upper, the Tributaries come with a<br />
reach-through fleece lined hand warming<br />
pocket, zippered top stash pocket, built-in<br />
Tippet Tender pockets and built-in gravel<br />
guards.<br />
PROTECTION FACTOR<br />
Another noteworthy aspect of Simms’<br />
spring <strong>2023</strong> product collection is just<br />
how many new and exciting pieces of sun<br />
protective gear it is bringing to market.<br />
For many years, SolarFlex has<br />
become the norm for anglers fishing<br />
in hot, humid environments where sun<br />
protection is a must. The latest SolarFlex<br />
collection utilises the highest-performing<br />
solar protective knit fabric that’s smooth<br />
to the touch, stretches for comfort,<br />
dries fast and keeps anglers odour free<br />
with HeiQ Fresh and HeiQ stain away<br />
technology.<br />
Fan favourites such as the men’s and<br />
women’s SolarFlex Crew, SolarFlex<br />
and Bugstopper Hoodies use this new<br />
upgraded fabric but there are also<br />
some additions to the family such as<br />
the SolarFlex Wind Hoody and Guide<br />
Hoody, that anglers can add to their<br />
UPF50 arsenal.<br />
On the outerwear front, the men’s<br />
and women’s Challenger Jacket and Bib<br />
have also been retooled for enhanced<br />
comfort and performance. The latest<br />
iteration of both Challenger Suits are<br />
now constructed from a recycled polyester<br />
two-layer Toray fabric for all-day<br />
waterproof/breathable protection.<br />
Equipped with reflective logos for<br />
safety, both feature stashable and<br />
adjustable storm hoods, adjustable cuffs<br />
to lock water out, and a pocket array<br />
that allows ample on-body storage. In<br />
addition, the chest pockets include a<br />
built-in sunglass chamois and the bibs<br />
incorporate rugged overlays in high<br />
abrasion zones for unmatched durability.<br />
STEPPING OUT<br />
Of all of the innovations for spring<br />
<strong>2023</strong>, the most significant revolution<br />
lands in the footwear category – the G4<br />
PowerLock Boot.<br />
While G4 has been part of the Simms<br />
family for many years, it’s not a badge<br />
that gets put on just anything. Instead,<br />
G4 is reserved for its most rugged,<br />
durable and innovative offerings.<br />
Designed from the ground up, the<br />
G4 PowerLock Boot offers the perfect<br />
balance of durability, weight, grip,<br />
support, and stability. Featuring a<br />
Vibram Idrogrip outsole for<br />
slip-resistance, dualdensity<br />
EVA midsole<br />
for comfort, and an<br />
integrated TPU heal<br />
clip and moulded<br />
heal cap for support<br />
and stability, the boot<br />
itself is constructed<br />
from highly abrasion<br />
G4<br />
PowerLock<br />
resistant textile, scratch rubber, and<br />
synthetic rubber.<br />
In order to source a better cleat<br />
retention system that also allowed for<br />
easy removal and replaceability, Simms<br />
leaned into a technology found in the<br />
golf and rugby cleat industry.<br />
The PowerLock system allows anglers<br />
to quickly and easily remove and/or<br />
replace aluminium or TPR cleats (both of<br />
which come with the boot) on the spot.<br />
The disc-shaped soft aluminium cleats<br />
offer improved bite and 360 degrees of<br />
stability while the spider-like TPR cleats<br />
provide a grippy option that won’t scratch<br />
when worn in a drift boat.<br />
All in all, the G4 PowerLock Boot<br />
has undergone more field testing than<br />
any other Simms boot to date. To<br />
be exact, these boots have over<br />
8,500 hours of in-field<br />
testing, spanning over<br />
1,000 miles. Based on<br />
this extensive testing,<br />
the cleat performance<br />
and retention results<br />
have proven that<br />
the PowerLock<br />
system is not only<br />
the most innovative<br />
cleat system the<br />
fishing world has ever<br />
seen, it’s also unbelievably<br />
reliable.<br />
Innovation is far from a new<br />
concept for Simms – it has been doing<br />
just that for the past 30 years. In<br />
terms of spring <strong>2023</strong>, these are only a<br />
few standouts amongst an amazingly<br />
innovative line.<br />
SIMMS<br />
www.simmsfishing.com<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
31
MAKING<br />
CONTACT<br />
Making Contact<br />
1<br />
Want your products to<br />
be seen by thousands of<br />
potential buyers… FREE<br />
of charge? Then get in<br />
touch, we’d love to hear<br />
from you.<br />
2<br />
3<br />
1 FLYING FISHERMAN<br />
SOLSTICE SUNGLASSES<br />
2 THE WORTH COMPANY<br />
CLEVISES<br />
3 ST CROIX<br />
SKANDIC ICE RODS<br />
JOHN HUNTER<br />
+44 7990 542958<br />
john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
DAVID HAYNES<br />
david.haynes@dhpub.co.uk<br />
Contact John or David directly<br />
for details of how to send your<br />
product and a short description to<br />
<strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> <strong>World</strong>’s office.<br />
New for <strong>2023</strong>, these glasses are<br />
built for the water, featuring a<br />
large-fit, vented frame that helps<br />
to prevent sunglass fogging. Made<br />
from Grilamid TR-90, a lightweight<br />
thermoplastic known for its<br />
comfort, flexibility, and durability,<br />
they offer non-slip nose and<br />
temple pads and shatterproof,<br />
RhinoLens lenses for superior eye<br />
protection from flying lures, hooks<br />
and other objects anglers can<br />
encounter. They also block glare<br />
reflecting off the water and other<br />
flat surfaces and provide 100 per<br />
cent UV protection.<br />
The Solstice is available in matte<br />
black frames with amber, smoke,<br />
amber green-mirror or smoke<br />
blue-mirror lenses.<br />
www.flyingfisherman.com<br />
The Worth Company has provided<br />
fishermen with the world’s<br />
finest clevises since 1941. As the<br />
only American manufacturer<br />
of clevises, the company<br />
manufactures five different styles,<br />
all of which are produced from<br />
high quality brass and stainless<br />
steel material.<br />
All are available in bulk<br />
quantities, and offered in polished<br />
brass, nickel plated brass or<br />
stainless steel finishes. Visit the<br />
website to see all the components<br />
available for your needs.<br />
worthco.com<br />
Consisting of 12 models from 24in<br />
to 36in long and covering the<br />
gamut between ultralight and<br />
heavy power, Skandic Ice Series<br />
rods support precise presentations<br />
while offering extreme durability.<br />
Combining custom looks with<br />
high-quality components and<br />
angler-preferred ergonomics,<br />
these hit the sweet spot for<br />
premium performance and valueminded<br />
ice anglers, looking, feeling<br />
and performing well beyond their<br />
price tag.<br />
Handcrafted on St Croix’s<br />
proven, precision-taper solid<br />
carbon (SC) blanks, they boast<br />
precise, sensitive tips, powerful<br />
backbones, the most durable<br />
cork material and custom handle<br />
configurations.<br />
stcroixrods.com<br />
32 www.tackletradeworld.com
MAKING<br />
CONTACT<br />
5<br />
4<br />
6<br />
7<br />
4 ADAMSBUILT FISHING<br />
WATERPROOF/PAGE FLY BOXES<br />
Made from strong, durable ABS<br />
material with quality stainless<br />
steel hinges, these fly boxes are<br />
perfect when you need to swap<br />
out flies either in advance of or<br />
during your session.<br />
Each box boasts double-sided<br />
clear or grey lids with triangle or<br />
dry fly slots for easy placement<br />
and removal of your flies.<br />
The key, though, is the<br />
removable pages, which will boost<br />
your box’s capacity and increase<br />
the storage options.<br />
To protect your flies further,<br />
each also incorporates a<br />
360-degree gasket to ensure a<br />
waterproof seal.<br />
www.adamsbuiltfishing.com<br />
5 WESTIN FISHING<br />
DANNY THE DUCK HOLLOWBODY<br />
LURE<br />
The perfect weapon for big, mean<br />
bass, this baby duckling has a super<br />
weedless design for fishing in<br />
heavy cover.<br />
Twitch him and Danny will<br />
swing out 180 degrees in tight<br />
short swings and stays long on the<br />
hotspot. Whether you fish him fast<br />
or slow, either way you can create<br />
that hopping action with a unique<br />
bubble trail just like a fleeing<br />
duckling, the beak will also add a<br />
unique front splash. The small soft<br />
feet add extra attraction, fluttering<br />
below the surface.<br />
Offered in a selection of handpainted,<br />
detailed colours, it weighs<br />
18g.<br />
www.westin-fishing.com/en<br />
6 A JENSEN<br />
NEWTON REELS<br />
Built for battling the fish of your<br />
dreams, this powerhouse is named<br />
after the famous mathematician<br />
and scientist who understood the<br />
physical laws of motion.<br />
Tested in both fresh- and<br />
saltwater on hard-fighting species<br />
the reel is CNC cut from high-grade<br />
6061 aircraft aluminium, which<br />
ensures the highest strength<br />
combined with low weight.<br />
Meanwhile, the housing is a<br />
combination of high-strength<br />
woven carbon fibre and<br />
aluminium, making it lightweight,<br />
saltwater-proof and strong. The<br />
spool is “V” cut, to make space for<br />
extra backing when targeting some<br />
of the torpedoes of the saltwater<br />
and freshwater world.<br />
Available in a choice of colours<br />
and sizes.<br />
7 SEMPERFLI<br />
DUBBING DISPENSERS<br />
Semperfli offers a host of different<br />
dubbing ranging from the<br />
traditional to the unique. They<br />
include the reliable Superfine,<br />
Ice, Semperseal (seals fur sub),<br />
Sparkle and, of course, the very<br />
special Kapok.<br />
They come in individual colour<br />
sachets or in these modern and<br />
very handy slimline dispensers<br />
that contain a very generous<br />
amount of dubbing.<br />
All Semperfli dubbing is<br />
professionally dyed in its<br />
dedicated dye labs and is of the<br />
high quality we have all come<br />
to expect from this dedicated<br />
manufacturer.<br />
www.semperfli.net<br />
ajensenflyfishing.com<br />
34 www.tackletradeworld.com
JANUARY<br />
<strong>2023</strong><br />
WAVEARMY / FORUM<br />
Wave Army News and Updates<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
ACC Crappie Stix Leads The Way<br />
WAVE ARMY<br />
ACC Crappie Stix, a Wave Army member, continues to receive glowing reviews from industry professionals on the quality<br />
and design of their rods. From the unique color to the incredible balance, the ACC Crappie Stix GS08M is the ultimate<br />
in crappie rods. Jason Sealock of Wired2Fish says, “The rod has great balance and is incredibly sensitive even on a<br />
long cast. I worked over the crappie this fall and winter with this rod and had much fun doing it.” Find out more about<br />
this fantastic rod at ACCCrappieStix.com<br />
Visit ACC at www.acccrappiestix.com<br />
VICTORY<br />
YakRods Angler Wins Big!<br />
Derek Brundle, a sponsored angler from YakRods, has had a tough<br />
year but ended on a high by becoming the KBF Challenger Series<br />
Angler of the Year. Utilizing his YakRods, he was able to overcome<br />
adversity throughout this year. He is also a lead designer<br />
for the RIP rod, a new jerk bait rod from YakRod. YakRods is not<br />
only an innovator but a leader in rods designed for the ever-growing<br />
kayak sector of fishing, and with win after win, YakRods is the<br />
company to be using!<br />
Visit YakRods at<br />
www.yakrods.com<br />
The “Wave Army” is comprised of users and enthusiasts of the MicroWave Line Control System, the world’s only award-winning guide system.<br />
SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WAVE ARMY AND THE MICROWAVE LINE CONTROL SYSTEM!
<strong>2023</strong> FISH TALES CUP<br />
THE LURE MASTER CHALLENGE<br />
Start registration, welcome to sponsor us<br />
Dates: 18-22 August <strong>2023</strong><br />
Location: Yunbing, Pahang, Malaysia<br />
VENUE:Kuala Rompin,Pahang,Malaysia<br />
consultation:robert.li365@gmail.com
CRAA Holds Industry Development Forum in<br />
Hainan<br />
The 2022 China (Hainan) International<br />
Marine Industry Expo will be held in Hainan<br />
International Convention and Exhibition Center<br />
from November 24 to 27 with the theme of<br />
"sharing the ocean and seeking cooperative<br />
development". The exhibition covers an<br />
area of 25000 square meters. It is divided<br />
into exhibition areas such as deep-sea self<br />
fishing products, marine ranching and deepsea<br />
aquaculture equipment, and Hainan City<br />
County Exhibition. Digital fishery technologies<br />
represented by 5G, Internet of Things, big data,<br />
and artificial intelligence will be displayed, New<br />
leisure yachts, international advanced breeding<br />
boats and other innovative products.<br />
During the exhibition, a number of<br />
supporting activities will also be held, including<br />
the International Marine Industry Development<br />
Summit Forum, the Forum on the Construction<br />
and Development of Marine Forests in the<br />
Free <strong>Trade</strong> Port, and the Hainan Free <strong>Trade</strong><br />
Port Marine Industry Investment Promotion<br />
Conference.
The 2022 China Sea Fishing Festival and Sea<br />
Fishing Elite Invitational Tournament ended<br />
successfully<br />
On November 20, 2022, the 2022 China Sea Fishing<br />
Festival and China Sea Fishing Elite Invitational<br />
Tournament held a grand closing ceremony in Qingshui<br />
Bay, Lingshui Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province.<br />
Jingzhou, Wuzhou, Qixin Pavilion, Diaopin Pavilion,<br />
Chengsheng, Eight clubs, including Yuxianzi, Taiyi<br />
Moxibustion Roast, and Deep Sea Hunter, and 32 players<br />
have gained and joyed after two days of yacht fishing<br />
competition experience.<br />
At 6:00 a.m. on the 19th, at the Clear Water Bay<br />
International Yacht Wharf, following the command of<br />
the chief referee, the contestants set sail on time in four<br />
yachts.<br />
In this sea fishing competition, the ranking is based on the total weight caught by the four athletes of each team in two<br />
days. In the end, the Sanya Wuzhou team won the first place in the team's total weight, the Sanya Jingzhou team and the<br />
Sanya Qixinge team won the second and third place respectively in the team's total weight; the Hainan Diaopinge Sea<br />
Fishing Club team won the first place in the single-tail heavy<br />
weight.<br />
This event is not only a sea fishing competition, but also a<br />
holiday feast for sea fishing enthusiasts. While the competition<br />
provides fishing friends from all over the country with an<br />
opportunity to communicate, it also injects new elements<br />
and new vitality into the sea fishing competition. Vigorous<br />
development injects new strength.<br />
The holding of this sea fishing festival and elite competition<br />
is an effective attempt to the yacht sea fishing competition and<br />
the sea fishing industry culture. The healthy and sustainable<br />
development of China's sea fishing industry.<br />
In order to protect the ecological environment and implement<br />
green fishing, this Sea Fishing Elite Invitational Tournament<br />
releases all the catches caught in the competition into the sea.<br />
ecology.<br />
It is hoped that more fishermen will always adhere to the<br />
concept of green ecological development while picking up fishing<br />
rods, colliding with and communicating with the depth of the<br />
sea, and integrate "ecological +" thinking into sea fishing. I also<br />
hope that every sea fishing enthusiast can become a volunteer for<br />
the promotion of green fishing, contribute to China's green sea<br />
fishing, and inject fresh vitality into competitive sea fishing.<br />
The 2022 China Sea Fishing Festival and China Sea Fishing<br />
Elite Invitational Tournament is hosted by the China Fishing<br />
Sports Association, the Hainan Provincial Department of<br />
Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, and the People's<br />
Government of Lingshui Li Autonomous County. Co-organized<br />
by Beijing) Culture Co., Ltd., with strong support from China
Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China Diaojuli (Beijing) Sports Culture Co., Ltd., Hainan Agile Ling<br />
Shuiqingshuiwan Yacht Club Branch. Thanks to Beijing X7, COFCO Great Wall Sanggan Winery, Kuaishou Fishing<br />
and other brands for sponsoring and supporting this event.
FEATURE<br />
Marketing<br />
WHY YOU<br />
SHOULD BE<br />
AN ONLINE<br />
EXPERT<br />
In this day and age, most people turn to the internet for information or advice.<br />
So it makes sense to not only be visible but to be seen as an expert in your field.<br />
Consultant John Hunter explains how you can find own your niche…<br />
Imagine you want information on<br />
tackle, advice on a specific fishing<br />
technique or even tips on how to catch<br />
that next big fish.<br />
Where do you turn for that helpful data?<br />
The internet of course and, more often than<br />
not, good old Google.<br />
And if you are doing it then you can bet<br />
your bottom dollar your customers are too.<br />
So, while they are searching, wouldn’t it be<br />
great – and help boost your sales – if they<br />
came across you, your brand or your store?<br />
Even better – how about if they not only<br />
saw what you do but started reading about<br />
it and gleaning knowledge as a direct result?<br />
Now you have become the expert and,<br />
because they have gathered that information<br />
from you, they are more likely to trust your<br />
brand or retail outlet as something that<br />
knows what it’s talking about it.<br />
TALKING THE TALK<br />
Of course, this doesn’t just happen by<br />
accident. You need to engineer this scenario<br />
but it’s easier than you think and could keep<br />
you a step ahead of your competitors, unless<br />
they are reading this column too, of course!<br />
Step one – naturally enough – is to<br />
ensure you actually have a decent amount of<br />
40 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
knowledge of the topic in question. So if you<br />
are a competent lure angler, then read round<br />
the subject and stay up to date with the latest<br />
trends and product lines.<br />
If you’re into carp, then knowing the<br />
must-have or fashionable brands, favoured<br />
setups, winning baits and more are all useful<br />
pieces of information.<br />
If you know how to catch a certain species<br />
of fish and you or one of your team can offer<br />
examples of how you have done it, then that<br />
will stand you in good stead.<br />
CONTENT CREATION<br />
Now you can start demonstrating that<br />
knowledge.<br />
Write blog posts for your website and<br />
research how to use keywords to attract<br />
further attention, direct relevant traffic and<br />
potentially boost your ranking in search<br />
engines.<br />
Post your latest captures and a few hints<br />
or tips about how you achieved them on<br />
your social media feeds. Again, hashtags and<br />
keywords are crucial to reaching a larger<br />
audience as people will find you through<br />
them.<br />
But don’t make it hard sell – most of your<br />
readers are looking for help. But do drop in<br />
some suggested tackle or bait to make their<br />
choice easier.<br />
ANSWER THE QUESTION<br />
Get involved with forums, follow key social<br />
media groups and pages and monitor them<br />
for questions or relevant comments.<br />
Responding with a helpful answer from<br />
time to time will enhance your reputation<br />
as an expert to be trusted and, when they<br />
need to find the right gear, lure or bait, they<br />
will come looking for yours.<br />
Of course, it won’t happen overnight but,<br />
in time, you will start to see the fruits of<br />
your labours as you gain a wider audience<br />
and more potential customers, ultimately<br />
leading to more sales.<br />
• John Hunter is the director of<br />
HunterMedia, a global PR, marketing<br />
and events consultancy with more than 25<br />
years of tackle industry experience.<br />
Hunter Media<br />
john@hunter-media.co.uk<br />
wwwhuntermedia.co.uk
Advertise Here<br />
NORTH AMERICA BART MANGANIELLO T: +1 914 722 7601 E: bartalm@optonline.net<br />
REST of WORLD GUIDO KNEGT T: +39 347 503 6436 E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk<br />
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COMING UP…<br />
MARCH <strong>2023</strong> ISSUE<br />
Ad Copy: Jan 27th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Mailed: Feb 15th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Special issue: Fly Fishing<br />
Spotlight: Rods<br />
Doing Business With: California<br />
APRIL <strong>2023</strong> ISSUE<br />
Ad Copy: Feb 24th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Mailed: March 15th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Special issue: Saltwater Fishing<br />
Spotlight: Lures<br />
Doing Business With: Denmark<br />
MAY <strong>2023</strong> ISSUE<br />
Ad Copy: March 24th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Mailed: April 13th, <strong>2023</strong><br />
Special issue: Inshore Fishing<br />
Spotlight: Eyewear<br />
Doing Business With: Texas<br />
To submit news or editorial for<br />
any of these issues, contact:<br />
To advertise or discuss a marketing campaign in any of these editions,<br />
contact our business development team:<br />
EDITOR<br />
JOHN HUNTER<br />
T: + 44 (0)7990 542958<br />
E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk<br />
NORTH AMERICA<br />
BART MANGANIELLO<br />
T: +1 914 722 7601<br />
E: bartalm@optonline.net<br />
REST of WORLD<br />
GUIDO KNEGT<br />
T: +39 347 503 6436<br />
E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk
ADVERTORIAL<br />
GET BACK TOGETHER<br />
AND CONNECT!<br />
If you want to do business in a great environment and showcase all your latest products<br />
then there’s nothing quite like the European Fishing <strong>Tackle</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> Exhibition (EFTTEX), which<br />
returns this summer.<br />
After almost four years,<br />
EFTTEX – the industry’s<br />
only European fishing tackle<br />
trade show – will be making a<br />
welcome return this June in the stunning<br />
location of Budapest, Hungary.<br />
The event – taking place at the<br />
HungExpo exhibition centre from June<br />
15th to 17th – is a vital connection point<br />
for everyone within the industry.<br />
It’s a great opportunity to get<br />
back together under one roof, giving<br />
manufacturers and brands the chance to<br />
meet and connect with old customers<br />
and meet potential new ones.<br />
Being together also means you can<br />
gather more knowledge and information<br />
about all the latest trends in the tackle<br />
industry while also learning from others.<br />
Exhibitor registration is now open<br />
and not only gives you access to early<br />
choice of space on the floorplan but all<br />
exhibitors will get additional support,<br />
including packing and logistics help, IT,<br />
marketing and app development help.<br />
Gain maximum exposure for your<br />
brand and your latest tackle and<br />
42 www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
equipment through the <strong>2023</strong> Best<br />
New Product Showcase. Entrants<br />
can nominate up to 14 products to be<br />
included in the judging process, with<br />
prestigious awards up for grabs once<br />
more.<br />
Not only will the popular Gala Dinner<br />
be making a welcome return but it will<br />
be free for exhibitors. The organisers are<br />
The EFTTEX BNP judging team.<br />
promising a real party to celebrate this<br />
long-awaited reunion.<br />
REaCh OUT TO ThE WORLD<br />
In addition to the huge benefits of<br />
being able to meet in person once again,<br />
exhibitors will also benefit from costeffective<br />
marketing that will be available<br />
not just to fellow industry buyers but
EFTTEX <strong>2023</strong><br />
ADVERTORIAL<br />
to the tackle-buying public too, making<br />
EFTTEX not just a tackle exhibition<br />
but a vital marketing tool to help your<br />
brand and products reach more people<br />
than ever before.<br />
You could reach up to one million<br />
anglers across Europe not to mention<br />
sending out weekly messages to<br />
registered visitors, helping you reconnect<br />
and find new ways of doing<br />
business.<br />
In addition, exhibitors will also be able<br />
to take advantage of half-price meeting<br />
rooms, perfect for private gatherings<br />
with coffee and soft drinks available to<br />
ensure a relaxed and inviting business<br />
environment.<br />
EFTTEX<br />
www.efttex.com<br />
Why exhibit at EFTTEX <strong>2023</strong>?<br />
1. Meet and connect with potential<br />
clients.<br />
2. Increase your brand awareness in<br />
the Best New Product Showcase <strong>2023</strong><br />
3. Gain more industry knowledge,<br />
close deals and learn from others.<br />
4. Join the free Gala Dinner and<br />
celebrate the EFTTEX reunion<br />
5. Benefit from cost-effective<br />
marketing<br />
6. First time exhibitor’s package is<br />
available (for European companies<br />
only)<br />
7. Free lunch voucher package,<br />
according to your booth’s size.<br />
www.tackletradeworld.com<br />
43
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