Tackle Trade World - December 2023

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TRADE MEETS UP 

What did you miss at 

AFFTA’s Confluence event 

in the USA? 

PAGE 18 

TRADE WITH CANADA 

A big country with huge 

fishing and business 

opportunities. PAGE 30 

US FLY TRADE ON THE UP 

DESPITE APPEARANCES 

The American fly tackle 

trade showed a five per 

cent rise in product sales 

for the 12 months to August 

2023, although key areas like 

soft goods and waders were the 

main drivers. 

A state of the industry report 

at the recent Confluence event 

organised by the American 

Fly Fishing Trade Association 

(AFFTA) detailed how while 

some sectors – notably in areas 

like apparel, footwear, luggage 

and reels – had forged ahead, 

others were still down year on 

year. 

The insights were provided 

by AFFTA’s research and data 

analyst partner TrackFly, with 

initial information unveiled 

during the Confluence’s State of 

the Industry Breakfast. 

According to TrackFly – 

which analysed data from a 

string of speciality fly fishing 

retail outlets – the five per cent 

increase in top-line product sales 

for the last 12 months ending in 

August 2023 was not consistent 

across the board. 

As might be expected, the 

top revenue-driving categories 

of rods, reels, soft goods and 

waders all contributed to the 

steady growth of overall product 

sales. 

Although rod sales have 

remained flat, reels showed a 

growth of six per cent. But the 

big winners were the wading 

products category, including 

waders and wading boots, which 

was up 15 per cent while soft 

goods showed an impressive 36 

per cent growth with luggage 

and cases up 35 per cent. 

However, accessories, tools, 

watercraft, rod and reel combos 

and eyewear all showed marked 

declines, with tools faring worst, 

down 20 per cent year on year. 

• Continued on page 8 

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 

PROFESSIONALS IN OVER 120 COUNTRIES EVERY MONTH

DECEMBER 

2023 

TackleTrade 


EDITORIAL 

HOW WILL THE SHOW 

GO ON IN FUTURE? 

Editor: 

John Hunter 

04 

+44 7990 542958 

john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

A journalist all his life and with 20-plus years 

of international business magazine experience, 

John was the founding editor of TTW and has 

now returned to the helm. He has helped 

many brands launch and grow over the years 

through B2B publications and via his own 

consultancy business. 

ADVERTISING 

North America: 

Bart Manganiello 

+1 914 722 7601 

bartalm@optonline.net 

For over 38 years, Bart has been working with 

trade magazines, 34 in the tackle industry. 

Since 2001, he has been TTW’s North American 

Director, providing the best communication 

programs to companies, helping them connect 

with current and prospective trade partners 

around the world. 

Rest Of The World: 

Guido Knegt 

+39 3475036436 

guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk 

A born and bred Dutchman, he spent five 

years travelling the world as a scuba-diving 

instructor and English teacher before settling 

down in Sardinia. Guido previously worked for 

TTW between 2014 and 2017. 

China: Robert Li 

Li Ziwei 

+86 13451914155 

robert.li365@gmail.com 

Li Ziwei (Robert) has been working as news 

editor for over 20 years. He founded the most 

influential Chinese fishing forum in the Straits 

and successfully organised many industry 

events. His love for culture and tourism has led 

him to devote his entire life to the exchanges 

between China and southeast Asia. 

Magazine Manager 

Justin Fox 

+44 7813 327966 

justin.fox@dhpub.co.uk 

A hugely experienced communicator with 

more than 20 years at parent company DHP, 

Justin knows what it takes to grow brands 

and businesses across the tackle sector. 

Sub Editor: David Haynes 

Art Editor: Paul Evans 

Editorial Design: Brad Sharp 

DHP LTD 

Editorial, administration, subscriptions and 

accounts to: DHP Ltd, 1st Floor, Nene House, 

Sopwith Way, Daventry, NN11 8EA, UK 


In recent months in this column I 

have championed trade shows. But it 

appears my belief in these industry 

events is not necessarily shared by many in 

the trade. 

Despite claims that EFTTEX 2023 

was a success (although that phrase really 

needs massive clarification), the owners of 

the brand – the European Fishing Tackle 

Trade Association – have decided that 

those who organised it should not be doing 

so again next year. 

As you will have read in our main news 

story, the organising team – having initially 

said they had no interest in repeating 

the event for 2024 – had reconsidered 

following positive responses to their post- 

2023 show survey. 

However, their plan for EFTTEX 2024 

was rejected by the EFTTA board. It’s 

perhaps not surprising. After all, while 

those who attended loved the fact they 

were able to meet together in person once 

again, it was also clear that there really 

were not enough trade buyers and retailers 

to make the costs of hauling a trade booth 

to Budapest – not to mention staffing it – 

worthwhile. 

But EFTTEX 2023 was not alone in 

this scenario. Confluence, organised by 

its US fly fishing opposite number – the 

American Fly Fishing Trade Association – 

suffered a similar fate. 

There were few exhibitors at the 

Salt Palace Convention Center in late 

September and even fewer retailers. 

That said, those who did attend were 

largely pleased with the quality of buyers 

and many told me how they deemed the 

event a qualified success. 

However, with the majority of the big 

brands staying away – or paying to have 

a presence in the New Product Showcase 

without being present on the show floor – 

3,511 

6,466 

it was clear the industry no longer sees a 

benefit in a traditional trade show. 

The retailers seemed to agree. Even 

though the format was switched slightly 

to allow for a day outdoors in a relaxed 

parkland setting, the truth is that the 

exhibitors were competing amongst 

themselves in the Far Bank Casting 

Olympics rather than rubbing shoulders 

with potential purchasers of their goods. 

AFFTA has already said it is openly 

exploring an industry summit type event 

to enable those in the fly tackle trade 

to gather and discuss key issues rather 

than run a traditional trade show. It 

will be down to the AFFTA board and 

membership to agree exactly what that will 

look like. 

The American Sportfishing Association, 

meanwhile, will be hoping to mop up those 

in that sector still yearning for a trade 

show for ICAST 2024 and will be once 

again unveiling a dedicated fly fishing area 

at its July show. 

I wouldn’t mind betting that EFTTA 

will have similar discussions about trade 

gatherings. 

At present they are remaining 

understandably tight-lipped over the 

reasons for rejecting the EFTTEX 2023 

organisers’ proposal for a repeat next 

summer but a poorly attended event 

which made no profit has to be a cause for 

concern, no matter how much ‘goodwill’ 

there was among those who did make the 

trek to Hungary. 

There are no easy answers but I hope the 

various industry sectors agree on what they 

all want, going forward, and get the trade 

events or gatherings they need and want. 

John Hunter 

Editor

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DECEMBER 

2023 

24 

36 

28 

18 

Contents 

30 

34 

08 NEWS 

EFTTA directors stand down after their 

plans for EFTTEX 2024 are rejected by 

the board, while The Fly Company adds 

Cortland to its growing portfolio. 

18 CONFLUENCE IS FLY MEETING POINT 

How did the first Confluence event, run by 

the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, 

go? TTW was there and we bring you the 

lowdown on all that happened during the 

three-day show. 

24 SPOTLIGHT ON… SMALL BOATS 

Whether planning on fishing a lake, river 

or even inshore waters, a small boat helps 

you access more water and out-of-the 

way fishing spots. What should the smart 

retailer be looking to find space in store 

for? 

28 FISHING THROUGH THE LENS 

Why Westin’s Escape Cam – the world’s 

06 www.tackletradeworld.com 

smallest and lightest underwater fishing 

camera – could be a game-changer for 

anglers wanting to share their adventures. 

30 DOING BUSINESS WITH… CANADA 

What the world’s second largest 

country lacks in homegrown brands and 

manufacturers, it more than makes up for 

in fishing opportunities, not to mention 

retail outlets offering products from 

around the world. 

34 THE RETURN OF AN OLD FAVOURITE 

Apparel expert Simms’ Bulkley jacket was a 

beloved classic that disappeared from the 

catalogue but now it’s back and, thanks to 

the latest technology, is said to be better 

than ever. 

36 CHINA FISH 2024 – THE BEST TACKLE 

SOURCE? 

As China Fish 2024 returns to Beijing this 

February, how can you make sure you 

make the most of your time visiting and 

enjoy some significant benefits while you 

are there? 

38 MAKING CONTACT 

More great gear you should consider 

stocking from some key brands. Having the 

latest equipment can drive customers to 

your outlet. 

40 TACKLE STORAGE SORTED 

With so much tackle now out there, it’s 

harder than ever to keep track of it all. The 

Fishing Box system has been designed to 

keep everything in place and to hand at all 

times, when you are out on the bank. 

46 TELLING YOUR STORY FOR SALES 

Traditional ways of selling and marketing 

products still work but how do you get the 

edge on your competitors? Storytelling can 

be a powerful tool for your business sales 

and marketing efforts.

Super 

Heat Dissipation 

 

 

 

Super 

Low-Friction 

Super 

Hardness 

Super 

Lightness

US FLY TRADE ON THE UP 

DESPITE APPEARANCES 

• Continued from page 3 

Top brands across the sector 

included Simms, Patagonia, 

Sage, RIO, Scientific Anglers, 

Fishpond, Orvis and Costa del 

Mar. 

One interesting insight 

revealed that the economic 

events between 2020 and 2022 

created a surge of interest in 

outdoor activities, resulting in 

consumer demand never before 

seen by many retailers in the 

sector. 

But, while May 2021 

experienced a strong start to the 

season, instead of steady growth 

in product sales as would be 

predicted, there was a sudden 

drop followed by an even bigger 

surge in sales during the month 

of July. 

TrackFly attributed this 

anomaly to the supply chain 

constraints that many brands 

and retailers experienced that 

year while trying to keep up 

with an unexpected increase in 

product demand. 

TrackFly CEO Stephen 

Baird said: “Analysis of the core 

sales channel for fly fishing 

provides solid evidence of a 

healthy industry, despite the 

chaotic consumer demand and 

supply chain anomalies of 2021. 

“Fly fishers are spending 

discretionary dollars with 

speciality retailers to show 

slightly stronger year-over-year 

growth than in other outdoor 

segments, and TrackFly is 

building the data assets to 

further study those trends. 

Some evidence also suggests 

that new consumers have 

been contributing to some of 

the channel’s sales growth, 

particularly since Covid. 

“Our conclusion [is that] the 

core channel of our industry 

is healthy and strong, and we 

now have data and analytical 

tools that can help us all make 

more informed decisions going 

forward, to better serve our 

customer base, and to be more 

competitive and profitable as 

businesses.” 

To find out more, visit: affta. 

org/trackfly-partnership 

Board directors resign 

after EFTTEX 2024 

proposal is rejected 

Three of the EFTTA board have resigned 

their positions following the European 

trade association’s decision not to accept 

their bid to run the EFTTEX 2024 trade 

show. 

The trio – István Pál, Ciro Esposito 

and Rudi Heger – were a key part of the 

organising team for the 2023 event in 

Budapest this summer and had tabled a 

comprehensive plan for next year’s event. 

But when the European Fishing Tackle 

Trade Association board – which owns 

the EFTTEX name – unanimously threw 

the proposal out, the trio felt there was 

little option but to stand down. 

István, the CEO of Hungarian supplier 

Energofish, said he could no longer justify 

a board position when it did not back the 

efforts of the EFTTEX Trading (also 

known as EFTTEX Hungary) team, 

which had delivered what he described as 

a successful 2023 venture. 

He told TTW: “All of the work we did 

and invested in has been lost as a result of 

this decision. 

“It seems that EFTTA’s plan is to focus 

on lobbying activity in Brussels, although 

I am guessing it will not be the only 

activity they intend to run.” 


EFTTEX Trading released an official 

statement to the trade following the 

move: “We would like to express our 

sincere gratitude to you for attending 

EFTTEX 2023. 

”Your presence, support and 

engagement helped us to make it a 

success. 

“Without you, we couldn’t have had 

such a fantastic time in Budapest. 

“Hopefully you enjoyed the event and 

found it valuable for your business. 

“Based on EFTTA-AISBL’s decision, 

we would like to inform you that 

EFTTEX Trading Ltd. will no longer be 

the organiser of future EFTTEX shows. 

EFTTEX Trading Ltd. will hand over all 

relevant information to EFTTA-AISBL 

within a short time for further use. 

For more information about upcoming 

EFTTEX exhibitions, please contact 

EFTTA-AISBL. 

“On behalf of the organising team of 

EFTTEX 2023, we wish all the best to 

you and the entire industry.” 

Earlier in the year, EFTTA had 

distanced itself from the EFTTEX event, 

explaining it would focus solely on its 

work in Brussels, safeguarding the future 

István Pál 

of the sport and the industry through 

its lobbying work within the European 

parliament. 

However, it allowed the organisers to 

continue with the show at HungExpo 

in Budapest in June on the basis that it 

would benefit from the event’s profits. 

However, as was revealed in the 

November issue of TTW, the official 

records show that EFTTEX 2023 made 

no profits at all. 

TTW approached the EFTTA board 

for further comment but understands no 

official statement will be made at this 

time. Instead, an announcement will be 

made in due course.

SPRO will bring Japan’s 

Nories baits to USA 

Bass anglers and retailers across 

the US will now be able to more 

easily get their hands on the 

Japanese Nories bait line-up 

thanks to a distribution deal 

with SPRO USA. 

SPRO had been watching the 

trend of bass anglers searching 

for the brand following the 

success on the elite circuit of 

Japan’s Taku Ito, who worked 

with legendary bass rod and bait 

pioneer Norio Tanabe, the man 

behind the Nories name. 

SPRO said: “In the last two 

years, Taku Ito has not only 

shown us some of his tactics 

but he has also introduced 

American bass fishermen to a 

line-up of baits from Nories. 

This has sent American bass 

anglers to the internet searching 

for ways to order Nories baits to 

use in their fishing situations. 

“Paying attention to this 

trend, SPRO USA has acted 

and secured distributorship of 

the Nories baits line-up. SPRO 

will use its extensive distribution 

resources and retail partners to 

bring American bass anglers the 

baits Nories offers in the US.” 

spro.com 

THE FLY COMPANY SET TO 

DISTRIBUTE CORTLAND IN 

NORTHERN EUROPE 

Cortland Line Company has appointed Denmark-based The Fly 

Company as its new distributor for Scandinavia and Northern Europe. 

The US-based fly and fishing line manufacturer becomes the latest 

high-profile name to be added to The Fly Company’s portfolio of top 

fly fishing brands, which currently includes Renzetti, Winston, Bauer, 

Nautilus, Tiemco, Hareline, Wapsi and Temple Fork Outfitters, along 

with a recent deal for RaidZap and Lagartun. 

Simon Jefferies, Cortland’s international sales manager, said: “We are 

delighted to be working with The Fly Company to grow sales in Europe. 

The partnership will mean that retailers in Scandinavia and Northern 

Europe will have easy access to all of our existing products as well as new 

fly lines that we are developing jointly with The Fly Co to cover specific 

Nordic angling.” 

John Petermann, CEO and partner at The Fly Co, added: “We needed 

a fly line brand in our portfolio together with our rods and reels, and 

Cortland was a natural choice for us. Cortland is American-made and 

a very well-known brand for most fly fishermen around Europe. We 

are looking very much forward to working with Cortland around new 

products and supplying our dealers across Europe.” 

2023-24 

Over 1,400 New 

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14,600+ Products 

Available for your 

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Microflex Soft 

Hackle Chenille 

Available in 5 sizes and 

31 Great Colors! 

Zziplex rods make welcome return 

One of the most iconic sea 

fishing rods brands in the UK – 

Zziplex – which closed its doors 

last year, is now back in business 

thanks a deal with fellow rod 

manufacturer Century. 

Zziplex was set up by Terry 

and Barbara Carroll in 1987, 

building on Terry’s foundation 

as an experienced angler and 

competitive caster during the late 

1960s and 1970s to produce a 

legendary series of shore rods. 

Terry passed away in 2015 

and, although Zziplex carried 

on successfully under Barbara’s 

guidance, in 2022 she decided 

the time had come to retire and 

closed the company. 

But she was approached 

by Century director Michael 

Chilcott, who promised 

continuity and integrity 

regarding Terry’s legacy and his 

lifetime’s work, 

Michael said: “We regard this 

as a significant responsibility 

and Century will faithfully 

carry forward Terry’s designs, 

manufacturing process and 

production materials into the 

future.”

SIMMS’ PARENT DIVISION 

GETS HYBRID NAME 

Vista Outdoor, the parent company of 

41 outdoor lifestyle and sporting goods 

brands including Simms, has renamed its 

outdoor products segment Revelyst. 

The announcement follows the 

separation of the parent company’s two 

divisions – with its sporting products 

division housing ammunition and 

shooting brands among others – and a 

renaming to The Kinetic Group. 

The name Revelyst for the outdoor 

products sector is a blended word that 

combines “revel,” to experience with 

abandon, and “catalyst,” an unwavering 

source of transformation. 

The company says Revelyst captures 

its ethos of helping consumers become 

their best while serving as a catalyst 

for memorable experiences through 

performance gear and precision 

technologies. 

Brands in the Revelyst portfolio – 

including Simms Fishing Products – are 

known for their meticulous craftsmanship 

and a steadfast obsession with creating 

products and technologies that support 

consumers in a wide range of pursuits. 

Revelyst’s purpose is to harness 

this collective expertise and crosscollaboration 

to pursue new innovations 

that redefine what is humanly possible in 

the outdoors. 

Its logo is a dragonfly, which is said to 

unite its collective of makers and whose 

four powerful wings symbolise what it 

means to be a Revelyst – innovation, 

leadership, inclusivity and ecosystems. 

Revelyst CEO Eric Nyman said: 

“Revelyst is a collective of maker 

brands united by an obsession with 

craftsmanship, a consumer-first culture 

and helping people achieve their greatest 

outdoor aspirations. 

“We will leverage operational expertise, 

shared financial resources and crosscollaboration 

to deliver products and 

technologies that support consumers in 

wide ranges of pursuits. 

“While today we are best known by the 

innovations that we make, our journey to 

becoming the greatest house of brands 

in the outdoor industry is focused on the 

wildly human experiences that we make 

possible.” 

www.revelyst.com 

Vista’s Sporting Products division sold 

The Czechoslovak Group 

(“CSG”) is planning to acquire 

Vista Outdoor’s Sporting 

Products business for a $1.91 

billion. 

Vista’s Sporting 

Products arm is a leading 

ammunition manufacturer 

in the US commercial and 

law enforcement markets, 

employing around 4,000 staff 

across four US factories. 

The deal includes ammunition 

brands such as CCI, Federal, 

HEVI-Shot, Remington and 

Speer, which will come under 

ownership of CSG, based in 

Prague, Czech Republic. 

Vista’s outdoor division – just 

renamed as Revelyst – includes 

Simms Fishing products but 

this is not involved in the sale. 

The proposed transaction 

would be CSG’s largest 

acquisition to date after 

a long series of smaller 

acquisitions focused on the 

European market, including 

the acquisition of Fiocchi 

Munizioni in 2022. It 

also represents the largest 

acquisition in the history of the 

Czech defence industry. 

Jason Vanderbrink will 

remain CEO of the Sporting 

Products business and the US 

headquarters will remain in 

Anoka, Minnesota. 

“This is an important 

strategic step for our company 

in creating value through the 

separation of our Outdoor 

Products and Sporting 

Products segments,” said Gary 

McArthur, interim CEO of 

Vista Outdoor. 

“The previously announced 

plan to separate our businesses 

has positioned us to execute 

seamlessly on this transaction, 

which we believe is the best 

path to maximise value for all 

our stakeholders, while better 

positioning Sporting Products 

and Outdoor Products for 

future success.” 

10 www.tackletradeworld.com

Reel f irm ‘Abel’ to help 

FFI on learning 

Abel Reels and Fly Fishers 

International have unveiled a 

limited-edition reel designed 

for anglers who value 

high performance, share a 

commitment to future of fly 

fishing and appreciate gear with 

a creative flair. 

A portion of proceeds from 

each sale of the FFS Abel Rove 

reel, which features artwork 

by acclaimed artist Casey 

Underwood and is engraved 

by Abel, will support FFI’s 

mission to provide fly fishing 

education to youth and adult 

anglers. The original imagery 

depicts the spirit of mentoring 

the next generation fly fishing 

enthusiasts. 

Jeff Wagner, president and 

CEO of Mayfly Outdoors, the 

parent company of Abel Reels, 

Ross Reels and the North 

American distributor of Airflo 

fly lines, said: “FFI continues 

to deliver on their commitment 

to provide engaging learning 

opportunities for fly fishers 

of all skill levels, and this 

partnership underscores our 

shared commitment to the 

sport we love. 

“I’m delighted we can offer 

a custom reel that is designed 

to both elevate the fly fishing 

experience and support the 

future and growth of fly 

fishing.” 

Patrick Berry, president 

and CEO of Fly Fishers 

International, believes this 

partnership showcases a new 

dimension in the future of fly 

fishing education. 

“As we continue to expand 

our reach to inspire fly 

fishers around the world, 

FFI counts on the support 

of industry leaders like Abel 

and Mayfly Outdoors. Abel 

represents the gold standard 

for high-performance fly 

fishing reels and it is an honour 

to collaborate on our joint 

commitment to the future of 

our sport.” 

The limited-edition FFI 

Abel Rove is available in 

sizes 4 through to 12 and can 

be purchased through Abel 

dealers. 

www.abelreels.com 

PITMAN CREEK ADDS EXPERIENCE 

TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS 

US-based tackle 

supplier Pitman 

Creek Wholesale 

has appointed Jon 

Harris as director 

of vendor relations 

and procurement, 

bringing more than 

20 years of supply 

chain and related 

experience. 

James Coffey, 

owner of Pitman 

Creek Wholesale, 

explained: “I’ve 

known Jon many 

years. He brings 

years of experience, 

team approach, and a 

fantastic work ethic 

to Pitman Creek. He 

will help elevate the performance our 

entire vendor relations department.” 

Jon will be responsible for all Pitman 

Creek vendor relations as well as 

assisting in the procurement of product. 

Jon Harris (second from right) joins the Pitman Creek vendor relations team. 

He will be joining the existing vendor 

team of John Carman (director of dealer 

development), Matthew Mattingly 

(senior key accounts and assortment 

manager), Logan Smith (senior data 

analyst and vendor relations), and Ron 

Manrose (director of assortments). 

This team will support Pitman Creek’s 

superior customer service. 

jonharris@pitmancreek.com 


11

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Bassmaster is a 

classic 

The 2023 Academy Sports + 

Outdoors Bassmaster Classic 

has been hailed as the ‘Best 

Professional Event’ at the annual 

SportsTravel Awards. 

The awards recognise the best 

events, venue and host city in the 

industry. 

BASS CEO Chase Anderson 

said: “We’re thrilled to see the 

Bassmaster Classic mentioned 

alongside the Stanley Cup Finals, 

Super Bowl and World Cup, which 

have all won this same award 

previously.” 

Blackfin looks to 

pink 

Blackfin Rods, a manufacturer 

of high-quality fishing rods, is 

supporting United in Pink, an 

organisation dedicated to providing 

emotional, social and financial 

support for individuals and families 

impacted by breast cancer. 

It is donating 20 per cent of its 

October 2023 sales of its Pro Pink 

Rods to the body, whose mission is 

to be the foremost breast cancer 

family resource provider, offering a 

wide range of survivor and family 

support services. 

Obvious choice 

Obviouslee, a US-based full-service 

marketing and creative agency 

will partner with eco-friendly 

manufacturer Toadfish as its 

media relations and community 

marketing agency of record. 

The brand produces everything 

from coastal kitchen tools 

and innovative drinkware to 

performance angling products 

that replenish oyster beds and 

aid in cleaning coasts with each 

purchase. 

The partnership reflects 

Obviouslee’s continued dedication 

to the outdoor industry and its 

mission to partner with purposedriven 

brands. 

Toadfish founder Casey Davidson 

said: “Our shared focus on the 

outdoor category and creative 

innovation is an ideal foundation 

for this collaboration.” 

Custom rod expert honours 

Bass Fishing Hall of Famers 

September’s Bass Fishing Hall of Fame 

Induction Ceremony included some additional 

hardware for this year’s inductees, thanks to 

the custom rod building brands making up 

Foundation Outdoor Group 

The honorees – Glen Andrews, Bruce Holt 

and Michael Iaconelli – each received a oneof-a-kind, 

meticulously handcrafted, custom 

fishing rod to commemorate their lifetime 

achievements. 

Foundation’s own senior account specialist 

and professional rod builder Alex Funke 

designed and built each fishing rod specifically 

for the occasion. 

Alex explained: “The rod designs embody 

the spirit and passion of Mr Andrews, Mr Holt 

and Mr Iaconelli as well as the meaning of this 

monumental occasion. 

“As an avid bass angler, I have a true 

appreciation for what these men have brought 

to bass fishing and to our industry. It was an 

honour to pay homage to their remarkable 

achievements and to be part of the evening’s 

festivities in some small way.” 

Foundation Outdoor Group is a leader in 

fishing rod and tackle crafting components, 

supplies, equipment, and instruction with a 

line-up of brands including Mud Hole Custom 

Tackle, American Tackle, MHX, Custom Rod 

Builder (CRB), ProProducts, ThreadMaster 

and FishHawk, and offices in three continents. 

The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame has long 

been regarded as the premier institution 

honouring individuals who have revolutionised 

the sport. 

By recognising industry pioneers, superstars 

and leaders, the Hall of Fame plays a vital role 

in preserving and sharing the rich history of 

bass fishing with the world. 

In addition to the three rods given to the 

inductees, Alex also crafted a fourth rod that 

was donated to the Hall of Fame’s online 

auction, helping to generate funds to support 

this important, not-for-profit organisation. 

Foundation’s president and COO, Brook 

Oliva, added: “Not only was this an exciting 

project for our team but it also shone a light 

on the craft of custom rod building and the 

amazing work that Alex does.” 

foundationoutdoorgroup.com 


JaNNE WadES INto EmEa RolE at gRuNdÉNS 

Grundéns, producer of fishing 

apparel, waders and footwear, is 

planning for transformation and 

growth with the appointment of 

Janne Mahlamäki as its general 

manager for the Europe, Middle 

East, and Africa (EMEA) region. 

With a wealth of experience 

and a proven track record in 

the outdoor and fishing sectors, 

Mahlamäki will continue 

Grundéns’ increased presence 

throughout these key territories. 

In recent years, Grundéns says 

it has experienced remarkable 

growth and business evolution. 

With an expanded product 

portfolio, strengthened global 

presence and successful entries 

into new product categories 

and market segments, it has 

established itself as the trusted 

brand in the fishing and outdoor 

industry. 

Janne’s appointment is seen 

as the next decisive step towards 

securing successful business 

growth and profitability across 

both established and growing 

markets within the region. 

Fishbites ‘in the pink’ 

as it backs charity 

Nicolas Cederström 

Warchalowski, Grundéns’ 

recently appointed CEO, 

explained: “Mahlamäki’s deep 

understanding of the market, 

combined with his unbridled 

passion for Grundéns’ product 

categories, will be invaluable 

as we pursue our ambitious 

goals in the EMEA region. 

His impressive track record in 

business transformation will be 

instrumental in realising our 

growth plans in the coming 

years.” 

For his part, Janne brings a 

wealth of experience, with over 

15 years in leadership roles within 

the fishing apparel and outdoor 

industry. He has held leadership 

positions at well-respected 

companies such as Rapala and 

Jack Wolfskin. Most recently, he 

served as the general manager for 

the Northern European region at 

Rapala. 

Janne, who will be based in 

Helsinki and Gothenburg, said: 

“I am genuinely excited and 

deeply honoured to join the 

Grundéns family. As a fourthgeneration 

recreational fisherman, 

I’m not only impressed by the 

product line but also by the 

company’s dedication to longterm 

sustainable growth. 

“With an eye on continued 

expansion and enhanced 

profitability, I eagerly anticipate 

exploring new business 

opportunities and crafting a 

compelling brand narrative.” 

Fisbites, the US-based bait 

and lure manufacturer and 

tackle shop, has been adding 

a splash of colourful support 

for a local cancer fundraising 

venture. 

The Fishbites Trading 

Post tackle shop donated 

10 per cent of sales on any 

pink items either in-store or 

online during October to Pink 

Up The Pace breast cancer 

awareness, which staged its 

5lm walk/run earlier that 

month. 

The shop, which opened its 

doors on the manufacturing 

campus of Carr Specialty 

Baits in 2020, has been 

supporting local organisations 

since the beginning. Following 

the latest announcement, the 

Fishbites scented bait and lure 

manufacturer confirmed it 

would match all proceeds. 

This donation reinforces 

the importance of giving back 

and making an impact in 

the communities they serve. 

Both Fishbites and Fishbites 

Trading Post have been active 

in supporting St Augustine, 

Florida area organisations 

that make a difference in the 

community for years and 

look forward to getting more 

involved in the future. 

Teresa Carr Dillinger, 

vice-president of corporate 

and employee relations 

at Fishbites, who has 

experienced breast cancer 

herself, said: “We are so 

excited to announce this year’s 

PINK Give Back recipient is 

Pink Up The Pace to support 

their exceptional work. 

“We know first-hand how 

breast cancer affects families 

and are proud to support Pink 

Up The Pace to further their 

mission.” 

In 2005, Teresa found a 

lump in her breast that was 

quickly confirmed as cancer. 

After surgery, chemotherapy 

and 33 rounds of radiation, 

Teresa was cancer-free 

and today she credits early 

detection in saving her life. 

fishbites.com

THE 25TH WORLD CARP EVENT 

PROVES TO BE A CLASSIC 

The World Carp Classic celebrated its 25th 

anniversary with spectacular success at 

Lac de Madine, France, bringing together 

hundreds of competing anglers from 27 

countries, including the USA, South Africa, 

New Zealand, and representatives from all 

across Europe. 

The event also witnessed unprecedented 

backing from the trade, with renowned 

global brands like Shimano and Lowrance 

extending their substantial support. 

These industry giants recognised the 

event’s significance in the world of carp 

fishing and seized the opportunity to 

connect with enthusiasts and showcase their 

latest products. 

There were a wide range of other event 

sponsors including Reuben Heaton, which 

has provided the official event competition 

scales since 1998, alongside section sponsors, 

K-Way, Dynamite Baits, Meus, The Ultimate 

Products, PB Products, Specimen Baits, Nikl 

Carp Specialist and Shimano Tribal. 

With 27 countries represented, the event 

served as a truly international gathering of 

carp anglers. Teams from across the globe 

converged at Lac de Madine, creating an 

atmosphere of camaraderie and competition 

that transcended borders. This diversity 

highlighted the universal appeal of carp 

fishing and the sense of community it fosters. 

The World Carp Classic’s 25th-anniversary 

edition made a significant impact on social 

media platforms, amassing an astounding 

reach of over 1.5 million users over the event’s 

nine days. 

Thousands of hours of video footage 

were watched, showcasing the excitement 

The winning Czech team with 

event founder Ross Honey (kilted). 

and skill on display at Lac de Madine. This 

digital presence allowed fans and enthusiasts 

worldwide to immerse themselves in the 

event and experience the thrill of carp fishing. 

Trade partners capitalised on the event’s 

global audience by using it as a platform 

to showcase their latest products and 

innovations. Their presence added a dynamic 

dimension to the competition, providing 

attendees with first-hand experience of 

cutting-edge fishing gear and accessories. 

The event culminated in a nail-biting 

climax, with numerous teams vying for the 

title and a share of the impressive £70,000 

prize table. 

The competition remained intense until 

the very last minute, keeping spectators and 

participants on the edge of their seats. 

Ultimately, though, it was the team from 

the Czech Republic – Radek Bis, Karel Racak 

and Rostislav Masopust – who emerged 

victorious, securing the title and their place in 

the history of the World Carp Classic. 

Reflecting on this milestone, event founder 

Ross Honey said: “Twenty-five years of 

hard work from a great team of people has 

contributed to this amazing event. 

“To unite carp anglers from around the 

globe annually is something that I am very 

proud of. The event has come a long way 

from its humble beginnings and now rightly 

deserves its title as ‘classic‘. 

“I am extremely grateful to the participants, 

sponsors and fans for their unwavering 

support. We look forward to continuing the 

tradition of excellence and camaraderie that 

defines the World Carp Classic as we look 

ahead to the future.” 

LUCK ON THE SIDE OF BAIT FIRM 

Luck E Strike – the bait and 

tackle company acquired 

earlier this year by singer, 

entertainer and outdoorsman 

Toby Keith – appears to have 

turned a corner. 

Having fallen on hard 

times, the brand is now once 

again filling shelves across 

the USA and its Arkansas 

facility is brimming with 

activity. 

In a video update, general 

manager Jeff Williams said: 

“The wheel is starting to turn 

at Luck E Strike.” 

The company has a 

redesigned logo to go with its 

newly purchased production 

facility while Americanmade 

hard-bait lures are now 

available for purchase. 

Its resurgence follows 

Toby Keith’s surprise 

July promotional trip to 

ICAST – the world’s largest 

sportfishing trade show – 

which laid the groundwork 

for the relaunch with outdoor 

sports media and Luck E 

Strike’s current and future 

wholesale customers. 

Luck E Strike also offers a 

selection of apparel and other 

gear perfect for anglers and 

Toby Keith fans alike. 

Toby added: “Luck E 

Strike has a lot of history. 

It’s one of the earliest fishing 

brands that is universally 

stocked in national retailers. 

We have been working on 

a new focus and vision. It has 

been exciting to get things 

back at the level it deserves.” 

www.luckestrike.com 


Our Heartfelt Thanks for Being with China Fish All the Way 

Getting Back to Your Business at 

February 21-23, 2024 

New China International Exhibition Center 

Beijing, China 

Registration is Open 

On-line registration 

http://web.chinafishshow.org/chinafish_reg 

Any questions or more information 

LiJiang@chinafish.cn 

www.chinafishshow.org 

+86-13810708871 

WeChat Registration 

CHINAFISH1991

DATA, TRENDS AND AI UNDER 

DISCUSSION BY TRADE HEADS 

More than 200 sportfishing industry 

leaders from across the USA gathered 

in Florida to discuss the latest data, 

economic trends and projections while 

focusing on AI and honouring key 

players. 

The annual American Sportfishing 

Association Summit was also the 

venue for various board and committee 

meetings engaged on issues that impact 

the industry from conservation to the 

economy. 

Members and association partners 

heard information about emerging 

technologies such as: GenAI; a review of 

new sportfishing survey data; an analysis 

of the economy and its impact on our 

trade; what ASA’s Government Affairs 

team is doing to address fisheries policy 

issues and an overview of consumer 

spending. 

Phil Lillo, owner and CEO of the Don 

Coffey Company and board of directors 

chair, said: “I commend all our board of 

directors and committee members who 

are willing to give so much of their time 

and talent to work on our industry’s 

behalf. I also thank the sponsors for 

showing their support for ASA and the 

sportfishing industry’s annual business 

meeting.” 

ASA president Glenn Hughes added: 

“For one week each year, our industry’s 

leaders come together to discuss the 

business of the association and our 

industry’s collective future. 

“At the same time, it’s a tremendous 

opportunity to renew friendships, 

forge new ones and feel a part of the 

sportfishing community.” 

Those in attendance also celebrated 

two industry champions for their 

accomplishments over the past several 

decades. 

Glenn opened the annual awards dinner 

by honouring ASA communications 

director Mary Jane Williamson, who is 

retiring after 19 years of service to the 

association and the recreational fishing 

industry. 

Additionally, Kirk Immens, former 

ASA board chairman and president of 

Sportco Marketing, Inc., was presented 

with ASA’s Lifetime Achievement 

Award as well as being inducted into the 

Sportfishing Industry Hall of Fame for 

his many years of service to sportfishing 

and the community. 

The 2024 Sportfishing Summit will be 

held at the Catamaran Resort Hotel in 

San Diego, California from October 15th 

to 18th. 

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The result? Zero memory. 

This line is said to be so 

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this monofilament is said to 

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Plastools can also offer 

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Plastools CEO Moira Dal 

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plastools.it 


FEATURE 

CONFLUENCE MEET-UP 

CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE IN 

FLY FISHING INDUSTRY 

While it may not have been the biggest trade event ever held, the American Fly Fishing 

Trade Association’s first Confluence gathered the industry together for education and 

celebration in equal measure. 

The Salt Palace Convention 

Center in Salt Lake City played 

host to two September days of 

an indoor trade show before moving 

outside to nearby Pioneer Park for 

more networking and even some casting 

games. 

Alongside new products and awards, 

visitors enjoyed the popular Iron Fly 

tying competition and even the Far 

Bank-backed Casting Games. 

After voting had finished in the New 


Product Showcase – sponsored by Tackle 

Trade World – the attendees gathered to 

honour success in a string of categories, 

culminating in the Best of Show award, 

which went to Patagonia’s River Steward 

Wader. 

The remaining awards were shared 

between a number of big-name 

brands and smaller suppliers, who did 

themselves proud. 

AFFTA’s executive director, Lucas 

Bissett, said: “AFFTA’s 2023 Confluence 

not only had a new name but also 

had a sense of new beginnings. As we 

look to the future of our industry, we 

aim to reimagine our gatherings. This 

year’s trade event was meaningful and 

was packed with educational seminars, 

DEI discussions, policy roundtable 

discussions, and the TrackFly State of 

the Industry Report. 

“We will build off the successes of this 

show and forge an event in 2024 that 

represents the needs of our membership

Confluence 2023 

FEATURE 

and achieves the goal of giving our 

industry the competitive advantage it 

needs to expand to new heights.” 

In addition to the Best of Show 

awards, AFFTA again acknowledged 

remarkable individuals who have made 

significant contributions to the fly 

fishing community. 

The Lefty Kreh Industry Award went 

to Tom Rosenbauer, whose dedication 

to the industry and his passion for fly 

fishing have left an indelible mark. 

Tom’s tireless efforts and commitment to 

educating and inspiring fly anglers have 

enriched the sport and nurtured the next 

generation of enthusiasts. 

Meanwhile Steve Moyer’s outstanding 

conservation work and advocacy for 

our natural resources earned him the 

Jim Range Conservation Award. His 

dedication to protecting waters, fisheries, 

and ecosystems is a testament to his 

unwavering commitment to conservation 

and sustainability. 

Unique opportunity to back tackle innovation 

Fly tackle innovator ArcticSilver is planning 

for the international launch of its unique 

Switch-Flex Handle and is on the hunt for 

funding partners. 

The Norwegian-based brand travelled to 

AFFTA’s Confluence in Salt Lake City to 

unveil its clever handle system, designed to 

make swapping between different rods and 

lines for changing situations quick and easy. 

Switch-Flex has been more than two years 

in development and stemmed from a team 

meeting at its Trondheim headquarters at the 

start of 2021, when discussing how to improve 

on its hugely popular Free-Flex system. 

The Free-Flex system was designed to 

improve casting technique and make casting 

effortless and effective. 

The Switch-Flex handle concept quickly 

moved from drawing board and 3D model to 

reality and the team – including ArcticSilver 

International CEO Dr Katharina Fugger and 

ArcticSilver USA CEO Darren Cantlay – 

couldn’t wait to showcase it at Confluence. 

Katharina explained: “The whole concept 

of the Switch-Flex Handle is that you can 

exchange the fly rod blank inside the handle 

and exchange the back too. 

“For example, you might be fishing on a 

lake with a 4-wt rod and you move to a river 

and want to fish with a Spey rod. So you will 

need to change your blank. This system makes 

it super easy. 

“When you are travelling you will just take 

your fly rod handle with the different back 

parts in your backpack and store only the 

fly rod blanks in your rod tube – it saves you 

space, weight and money. Not only that, with 

only one handle for several blanks, it is also 

saving the environment.” 

Eager visitors were keen to try out the 

handle and the system for themselves and the 

innovative product created a real buzz on the 

casting pond and throughout the show. 

Now ArcticSilver is ready for the next 

major step – launching the Switch-Flex 

internationally – and is looking for funding 

partners to help. 

To get involved with this innovative 

concept, contact post@arcticsilver.no 

www.arcticsilvershop.com 


19

FEATURE 

NEW PRODUCT SHOWCASE AWARD WINNERS 

• Men’s Wader: Patagonia – River Steward Wader 

• Women’s Wader: Patagonia – Women’s Swiftcurrent 

Expedition Zip-Front Waders 

• Men’s Wading Boot: Patagonia – Forra Wading 

Boots 

• Women’s Wading Boot: Patagonia – Forra Wading 

Boots 

• Men’s Outerwear: Orvis – Men’s PRO Fishing Jacket 

• Women’s Outerwear: Orvis – Women’s PRO Fishing 

Jacket 

• Men’s Apparel: Patagonia – Men’s Tropic Comfort 

Natural UPF Hoody 

• Women’s Apparel: Patagonia – Women’s Tropic 

Comfort Natural UPF Shirt 

• Fly Rod – Freshwater: Redington, Wrangler Rod 

Family 

• Fly Rod – Saltwater: Sage, Salt R8 

• Fly Rod – Two Hand/Spey: Scott, Swing 

• Fly Reel – Freshwater: Sage, Arbr XL Tempest Blue 

• Fly Reel – Saltwater: Sage, Enforcer 

• Fly Line – Freshwater: Scientific Angler, Amplitude 

Smooth Infinity Plus 

• Fly Line – Saltwater: Scientific Angler, Amplitude 

Smooth Bonefish Plus 

• Leader/Tippet: Airflo USA , Airflo Standard 

Fluorocarbon 50m 

• Hooks: Daiichi (Ranger Outdoors), 1719-10-Matte 


Black Barbless 

• Chest Pack/Vest: Simms Fishing Products, Flyweight 

Vest Pack 

• Boxes/Storage System: C&F Design NA (Ranger 

Outdoors), 16 Grand Slam Guide Boat Box 

• Fly Pattern – Freshwater: RIO Products, Morrish Level 

Headed Damsel 

• Fly Pattern – Saltwater: RIO Products, Webster 

Crouser 

• Fly Tying Vices & Tools: Dyna King, Barracuda Deluxe 

• Fly Tying Materials: Semperfli, EggStatic Egg Fly 

Tying Collections 

• Eco Friendly Gear: Rio Products, Compostable Spool 

• Bags and Packs: Grundens, Wayward Roll Top 

Backpack 38L 

• Youth Product: Simms Fishing Products, Kid’s 

Tributary Wader 

• Accessory: Dr. Slick Company, Cyclone Nipper 

• Gift Items: RepYourWater, Rainbow Snacks Lowball 

Glass 

• New Product Showcase “Best of Show” winner: 

Patagonia - River Steward Wader 

FAR BANK CASTING GAMES COMPETITION WINNERS: 

Nick Treynor: Score of 498 

Heidi Lewis: Score of 331 

Iron Fly Winner: Brita Fordice 

Bájio gets aggressive 

with glasses 

Newly launched sunglasses 

brand Bájio had plenty to show 

off at AFFTA’s Confluence 

trade event, including a cool 

backpack and another range of 

glasses, this time boasting violet mirror lenses. 

Its Ozello Black Violet Mirror sunglasses, 

entered into the event‘s New Product Showcase, 

were well received by visitors to the booth. 

Named for one of the team’s favourite 

spots in Old Florida, where ‘Grouper Gary ’ 

braves hazardous wilderness waterways to help 

hook you up with big grouper creeping out of 

spring-fed crevices in the limestone, Ozello is 

an aggressive fishing style frame with extra wide 

sun blocking temples for long, exposed days out 

in Ozello Keys and beyond. 

The Violet Mirror is said to be Bájio’s lightest 

high contrast lens yet helps you see fish clearly 

in all conditions. From sunrise to sunset, this 

lens is more than an accessory, it’s a necessary 

instrument for spotting fish in any conditions 

whether you’re on rivers, lakes, or flats. 

With a red base and a violet mirror, you will 

spot fish under cover, read structure and see 

clearly under cloudy skies. 

bajiosunglasses.com

Confluence 2023 

FEATURE 

GRUNDENS WADES FURTHER INTO FISHING MARKET 

Outdoor specialist Grundens 

continues to grow its offerings 

in the recreational fishing sector 

with a string of releases for the 

coming season. 

Offering everything from 

waders to boots and hoodies to 

roll top packs and even sandals, 

there really is something for 

everyone. 

Many of the items were 

entered into the Tackle Trade 

World-sponsored New Product 

Showcase at the AFFTA 

Team Semperfli, the fly-tying materials 

expert is literally ‘eggstatic’ after scooping 

the prestigious AFFTA Best New Product 

fly tying award at the recent Confluence 

Show. 

The UK-based firm, with a strong US 

team, chose to launch its latest product, 

Eggstatic, as this event was seen as perfect 

forum to share its innovation. 

The range had been months of research 

and development in the making, prior to the 

release. 

Semperfli director Ann Kitchener 

explained: “Having studied fish eggs 

in minute detail, EggStatic is designed 

specifically to match the natural life cycle of 

fish eggs and its stunning range of resulting 

colours is thanks to our state-of-the-art 

Confluence event. 

Of particular note was the 

Lionfish sandal, with each pair 

said to help save 20,000 native 

reef fish. These premium, fullgrain 

leather sandals include an 

Inversa leather lateral strip panel 

made from invasive lionfish skin 

harvested by local fishermen. 

Among the gear that visitors 

had a first look at were the 

Vector stockingfoot waders 

for men – featuring Grundens’ 

wading mobility patterning for 

Semperfli ‘eggstatic’ over 

award win for product 

Fly tackle box and tying equipment manufacturer C&F Design 

consolidated its partnership with Ranger Outdoors for the US market 

during the AFFTA Confluence event. 

The companies announced exclusive North American distribution 

for the Japanese brand earlier this year and C&F Design vicepresident 

Hiroto Yonenoi was at the show to talk visitors through its 

latest product launches and outline the brand’s vision. 

Among the latest gear on show were its XL boat fly boxes, designed 

to accommodate all you could need for a day out afloat on the water. 

Like many C&F Design products, these boxes use its intelligent 

modular system of inserts, allowing anglers to customise their boxes 

according to each day’s requirements. 

The Universal Foam System means anglers can quickly switch 

foams between the system case, boat box, system fly patch and chest 

storage as needed, thanks to nine variations of foam in three different 

sizes, covering streamers, attractors, midges, threaders and various 

saltwater patterns. 

Over the past year, C&F Design has reimagined fly storage with 

ease of movement on and off the 

river plus anatomically shaped, 

size-specific stockingfeet and 

vertical zip-entry chest storage 

pockets. 

Meanwhile, its women’s 

Boundary stockingfoot 

wader boasts a fused contour 

suspension system, inspired 

premium climbing harnesses, to 

ensure great movement through 

casting and rowing motions, 

while the women’s specific 

Neoprene booties use two 

computerised dyeing 

machines. 

“Looking at the market, 

many fly fishermen used 

egg yarn to tie their egg 

flies, so we knew it could 

be made easier to tie egg 

flies. Looking at our own blob chenilles we 

decided we could create something much 

better to specifically match fish roe and 

developed specifications for EggStatic.” 

These include a continuous material 

making it easy to tie fibres which became 

translucent when wet to make them appear 

more roe-like, tintable irise sparkle tinsel 

embedded for extra attraction, a fully 

bonded core to stop the yarn breaking apart, 

while each is fully dyeable including core in 

www.rangeroutdoorsllc.com 

layers of 

titaniumalpha 

to 

increase 

heat retention 

back up the body 

by up to 40 per cent. 

Other items that drew 

attention on the stand included 

its Tough Sun hoodie, Portal 

Gore-Tex wading jacket and 

Bankside wading boot. 

a range of colours to match fish roe and hot 

spot attractor colours. 

Ann continued: “When the EggStatic 

fly hits the water, it is transformed as 

the material slushes together, creating 

a translucent effect and mimicking 

nature. Add to the effect a UV fleck in every 

variant in a range of natural and fluoro 

colours and there is a colour guaranteed to 

match eggs worldwide.” 

www.semperfli.net 

www.grundens.com 

C&F HAS DESIGNS ON GROWTH WITH RANGER OUTDOORS 

its all-new modular box system including the latest 

boxes carrying up to 16 large system foams; less 

hassle, more choices and more time to fish. 

C&F Design dates back to 1993 as part of Yonenoi 

Design, an industrial design firm in Japan, and offers high quality 

Japanese-made products which are unique in form and function. 

Hiroto said: “We are really pleased to be working with Ranger 

Outdoors once again and offering our range of fly boxes and 

accessories to the North American market through them.” 

When the deal was first announced earlier in the year, Dave 

Luzader, president and CEO of Ranger Outdoors, which trades as 

Angler Sport Group (ASG), said: “ASG has enjoyed a long-standing 

relationship with C&F Design. This past year afforded the opportunity 

to bring a new strategic vision to C&F Distribution within North 

America, and we are looking forward to an exciting future with an 

expanded product catalogue and industry opportunities.” 


21

FEATURE 

THE EVOLUTION OF 

EVOS BY ST. CROIX 

St. Croix Rod believes every angler deserves an elevated fishing 

experience so it is unveiling its EVOS and EVOS SALT ranges 

to provide fast-action performance for many modern fly fishing 

techniques. 

This premium, high-performance rod series has been three years 

in the making and is said to marry power with precision like never 

before. 

EVOS challenges the status quo of traditional fly rod design 

and sets the bar for multi-technique performance. Conceived and 

delivered for anglers who make life decisions based on hatch charts, 

gauge heights and migration timing, EVOS consists of 14 fourpiece 

models ranging from line sizes 4-wt to 8-wt. 

Similarly, EVOS SALT optimises angler ability by delivering 

critical control in any saltwater environment, whether driving a hero 

cast into a relentless headwind or delicately delivering a surgical 

strike in impossibly calm conditions. 

This range is available in seven four-piece models covering critical 

6-wt to 12-wt line sizes. 

Both series’ refined actions are said to be exceptionally responsive 

through a wide range of casting distances, offering accuracy and an 

unprecedented balance of punch and precision. 

Fast enough to deliver immense lifting capability, loop stability 

and maximum line speed for challenging conditions, EVOS and 

EVOS SALT complement their speed and power with intimate 

feel and feedback ideal for technical angling situations that demand 

perfect presentation. 

The fast-action tapers are both powered by a next-level carbon 

fibre matrix and exclusive MITO Graphene technology. 

A single-atom-thick layer of carbon, graphene is the stiffest and 

strongest material known to science. 

Unlike other fly rods built with pre-applied graphene in 

the carbon pre-preg, EVOS and EVOS SALT use a first-ever 

functionalised graphene applied in-house at St. Croix at total 

weight-loading accuracies within 0.01 per cent. 

The process fits within St. Croix’s vertical-control philosophy, 

affords extreme consistency, and ultimately delivers anglers with 

more of the benefits graphene can provide – namely, dramatically 

faster recovery, increased torsional rigidity, and significantly 

improved strength-to-weight ratios. 

stcroixrods.com 

CLEVER IDEAS TO 

HELP FLY TYERS 

Two well-known fly tying brands have released new products designed 

to help avid tyers be more efficient and save money. 

At AFFTA Confluence, Ben Gehrke showcased the latest Lagartun 

innovation, a bottle caddy designed to hold RaidZap resin bottles upside 

down to ensure the contents are always ready to use and prevent them 

settling. 

Meanwhile, Ben has added a value pack to the RaidZap portfolio, 

containing one medium bottle of UV environmentally friendly and 

biodegradable resin, a thin bottle of UV resin and a 395nm UV light. 

Ben explained: “We’re really excited about these products. The bottle 

caddy makes perfect sense for most tyers while the value pack will be 

available in time for Christmas.” 

John Petermann of European distributor The Fly Company was also 

on hand to give the items his seal of approval. 

www.raidzap.com www.lagartun.com www.flyco.dk 

Trxstle makes connections 

Trxstle, a leading name in outdoor gear solutions, used AFFTA’s 

Confluence as a unique opportunity to unveil groundbreaking products 

that are shaping the future of fly fishing. 

For Trxstle, the Salt Lake City event was a treasured occasion to 

connect with both new and familiar faces – buyers and partners integral 

to its success. 

Building meaningful in-person relationships was a highlight for 

the company, emphasising the vital role of personal connections in our 

industry. 

Amidst the buzz of product launches, Trxstle took great pride in 

revealing its latest innovations for 2023, including the all-new CRC 

System fly rod carrier v3.0, the Euro fly rod carrier and advanced locking 

T-slot mounting clamps. 

These meticulously crafted products, tailored for fly fishing 

enthusiasts, represent a new standard in secure, efficient and stylish gear 

transportation. 

Beyond the excitement of product introductions, Confluence offered 

a wealth of knowledge and insights. Engaging breakout sessions and 

industry breakfast events provided a platform to delve into the everevolving 

retail landscape of fly fishing. These experiences enabled Trxstle 

to stay at the forefront of the industry’s latest trends, ensuring that it 

continues to lead with innovative solutions. 

A spokesman for the brand said: “Confluence 2023 was not just a 

trade show for us; it was a celebration of innovation, connections, and the 

shared passion for the art of fly fishing. 

“We are enthusiastic about incorporating the lessons and connections 

from this event into our ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding 

outdoor gear solutions to our valued customers.” 

Trxstle.com 


STOPPIONI s.n.c. Firenze Italy 

Tel.+39 0558739615 -Fax +39 0558739648 stonfo@stonfo.com 

MEMBER 

Art.135 

BAIT ELASTIC BANDS 

Art.722 

BAIT BANDS TRIS 

Ø int 6 mm 

Ø int 4 mm 

Mis. 0 1 2 2,5 3 

Art.137 

BIG MODEL 


Mis. 0 1 2 

Art.596 

MAGNUM 


Art.139 

Mis. 1 2 

BAIT HOLDER 

Mis. 1 

mm 18 

Mis. 1 2 

Mis. 2 

mm 30 

www.stonfo.com

SPOTLIGHT ON... 

SMALL BOATS 

SPOTLIGHT ON 

SMALL BOATS 

No matter if you are planning on fishing a lake, river or even inshore waters, a small 

boat helps you access more water and out-of-the way fishing spots. But there is a huge 

choice of craft available so what should you be looking to stock? 

There’s no doubt about it; when 

it comes to accessing out-ofthe-way 

fishing spots or simply 

covering more water, a boat is a great way 

to do it. 

And, thanks to developments in 

technology, not to mention crossovers 

from other sectors, anglers no longer need 

a massive bank balance or a large storage 

space or mooring to enjoy this opportunity. 

There is a wide choice now on offer for 

the discerning boat angler, from kayaks 

and inflatables to small aluminium boats, 

propelled either by oars or paddles nor 

even a small outboard. 

Alternatively, some boats are designed to 

drift with the current, although you’ll still 

need a way to ultimately control them. 

ALL ABOARD 

Selling fishing boats is all about understanding your customer and 

their requirements. 

This will likely start with establishing a budget while also learning 

where they intend to use it, where it will be stored it and how long 

they will use it per outing. 

The ideal small fishing boat is probably no more than 20 feet long, 

often much smaller, with no cabin or pilothouse but with ample space 

to cast from, whether sitting down in a kayak or standing on a deck. 

Some rowboats are explicitly designed for fishing, such as the drift 

boat. It’s perfect for river fishing over either shallow or deep water. 

Modern rowboats range from simple inflatable rubber flat-bottomed 

boats to fibreglass V-shaped hulls. 

The kayak is quickly moving up the ranks as a go-to fishing 

platform. Fishing kayaks are generally between 9ft to 13ft. A decent 

one will also provide a spot to install a trolling motor, which takes 

away the issue of having to paddle and fish simultaneously. 

Kayaks are great for rivers, lakes, ponds and even the ocean, but 

bear in mind they are typically built for calmer waters so care should 

be exercised in their use, especially when the angler will be focused 

on the fishing rather than the water around them. 

Another area where there is strong growth right now is with 

rigid hull inflatable boats, or RHIBs. These are a great choice for 

fishing and are generally made from either wood or fibreglass or a 

combination of both, with either a V shape, modified V, or a flat hull 

design. 

By far the most popular boats in the fishing category are what 

are known as ‘Jon’ boats. These flat-bottomed utility boats probably 

earned this name as they were originally built from jack pine timber; 

John or Jon being a similar name to Jack, although there are other 

theories around the word ‘yawn’ (meaning something with no 

designated purpose) or the originators from Scandinavia, often called 

Jon. 

Whatever the truth, these simple boats are typically made of 

aluminium nowadays and, as a result, weigh next to nothing. Some 

models are fibreglass or polyethylene, seating is typically two benches, 

and maintenance is almost non-existent. Jon boats are great for lakes, 

ponds, and bigger rivers. 

At the top end of our market we find bass boats, built and designed 

specifically for efficient fishing. They are perfect for ponds, lakes, 

larger rivers and bays although some models can handle offshore 

conditions too. Beloved of competition anglers, these are big-ticket 

items so it may pay to have one generic example and allow the buyer 

to customise as required. 

The slight V shape to the hull allows them to gain speed and get 

you out to the fish fast, while the flat design aids ultra-shallow water 

accessibility. 

Inflatables, meanwhile, are incredibly portable, take up a reasonably 

small amount of space when deflated and not in use and don’t require 

a trailer. 

In fact, there are some smaller models that will fit into a backpack 

and are easily and quickly enough inflated with a small pump at the 

water’s edge. Inflatable fishing boats are generally much cheaper than 

a wooden, metal or plastic boat, so if the budget is tight then these 

are a good option. 

The challenge for the retailer is to work out where to display – and 

stock – such items in their shop. Of course, you’ll also need some 

knowledge about the options available. 

Check out the handy guide below for an at-a-glance overview of 

the various types of boat available. 


CENTRE CONSOLE 

It ever there was a boat built with fishing 

to the fore, this is it. Ideal for all types of 

fishing, from freshwater and inshore to 

offshore, these offer a great blend of control 

and visibility from the centre of the boat 

while also freeing up plenty of space to walk 

all the way around, with plenty of areas to 

fish from and reasonable options for rod 

and other storage. 


SMALL BOATS 

SKIFFS 

Also sometimes called flatboats, as the 

name implies these have hardly any hull, 

making them ideal for shallow water. 

However these don’t tend to have loads of 

storage so are better suited to short trips. 

BAY BOATS 

Another great fishing options, these have 

loads of comfortable fishing platforms 

and are great in shallow water but can also 

handle deeper, choppier waters if required, 

although they’re not really designed to go 

too far offshore. You will, however, find 

plenty of storage aboard one of these. 

FISH-AND-SKI 

A great choice if you have family trips 

in mind as well as fishing. Versatile, with 

storage and speed, many are built for 

freshwater use with storage and space to 

move around. They come in many formats, 

from bowrider or deck boats to bass boats. 

One boat – loads of options. 

BASS BOAT 

Fast and comfortable, the archetypal bass 

boat offers a large and stable platform for 

fishing and casting from, with plenty of 

storage, live wells and more. 

Aimed at the pro, semi-pro or regular 

angler, these are typically on the expensive 

side but are often kitted out with the latest 

high-tech electronics to maximise each trip. 

PONTOON 

Acres of space and really stable, thanks to 

their twin-tube hull, they are just the job as 

fishing platforms for you and your mates. 

Perhaps the main issue is that they can be 

harder to manoeuvre than some others but 

are handy if your family wants a 

good day out too. 

INFLATABLE 

If you lack storage space for a boat at 

home or don’t fancy owning a tailer 

or hiring a marina berth, then an 

inflatable might be what you are after. 

They’re usually quick to set up and 

can be surprisingly stable but many can lack 

adequate space, especially if you like to take 

plenty of kit with you. Another big bonus is 

that they are a cost-effective option, especially 

for those on a budget. 

ACCESSORISE WELL 

But simply selling a boat is just the start. The 

range of accessories is also bewildering but 

these also mean you can upsell fairly easily 

and keep your customer coming back. 

Really useful items to get a grasp of 

include rod mounts, buoyancy aids or 

personal flotation devices, storage boxes, 

boat bags, fish finders (another big ticket 

item), shallow water anchors and various 

motors, not to mention paddles or oars. 

FIVE USEFUL FISHING BOAT 

FEATURES 

1. Good visibility while piloting, helping 

you spot those fish-holding areas. 

2. Lockers and internal storage space 

plus rod mount areas. 

3. A wide, open deck for easy casting. 

4. Good stability, enabling more secure 

casting. 

5. Undercover shelter for protection 

from wind, rain or sun. 


25


SMALL BOATS 

Looking for some easy-to-sell 

and display watercraft for anglers? 

Here are a couple of ideas… 

NRS 

RIFFLE FISHING PACKRAFT 

With over five decades of designing and building rafts, NRS 

used its expertise to expand its line of personal watercraft 

purpose-built for anglers and will introduce the Riffle 

Fishing Packraft in 2024. 

The first packraft designed specifically for fishing, the Riffle 

gives anglers a new, better tool for pursuing fish off the beaten path. 

Hike it in to access remote waters, cross the river to fish the far bank or 

stalk the alpine lakes – the ultra-lightweight Riffle inflates and deflates 

quickly, making it easier than ever to ‘Catch the Adventure’. 

Rather than sticking with the conventional method of butting and 

sewing seams together, NRS engineers chose overlapping, heat-welded 

seams that are further sealed with interior taping, to create an incredibly 

strong mechanical bond for fail-proof air retention. 

NRS doubles the insurance against leaks by applying a waterproof 

TPU coating to both sides of the PVC-free nylon material. 

Anglers will love the Riffle’s fishing-specific features including 

integrated reel slots in the floor and attachment points for rigging rods, 

rod tubes, packs and a day bag. Reinforcements 

inside the bow protect from wading boots, while a waterproof 

storage compartment with TIZIP closure gives anglers a dry 

space for storing extra layers and gear. 

A full-length, rigid inflatable floor provides additional 

stability in more dynamic water and is self-bailing for increased 

manoeuvrability. The detachable seat and backrest give anglers 

the ability to customise their comfort and set-up. 

www.nrs.com 

SEA EAGLE 

FISHSKIFF 16 

When you need a boat that is roomy, easy 

to set up and at home on the water no 

matter what the season, then Sea Eagle 

Boats’ inflatable FishSkiff16 provides the 

solution. 

This revolutionary, patent-pending, 

inflatable FishSkiff16 is designed for yearround 

use. A lightweight fishing skiff, it 

has plenty of room for three anglers and 

all their gear and is ready in minutes for 

fishing lakes, bays, marshes, anywhere 

there’s water. 

Recently updated with double-layer, 

high-pressure, all-drop-stitch, fusion 

technology, the FishSkiff is lighter by 20lb 

and stronger than the previous version. 

The fusion welding process also makes it 

easier to fold and pack up. 

At 16ft long and 54in wide, it has 

maximum stability plus it weighs in at only 

92lb with the removable transom – much 

lighter than most fishing boats. 

Because the three separate air chambers 

of the FishSkiff are made completely of 

drop-stitch material, the gunwales are low, 

providing unprecedented access to the 

water, which in turn makes it easier to land 

fish, catch and release, not to mention the 

ease with which you can re-enter the boat 

from the water. 

The patent pending drop-stitch 

design also creates the long, elegant, 

hydrodynamic shape that allows the 

FishSkiff to reach speeds up to 18 mph 

with two to three people and a whopping 

21.5mph with one person, with just a 10hp 

motor. 

The fuel efficient, lightweight, roll-out 

and go FishSkiff16 holds up to three people 

or 1,765lb. Yet, it folds down to just 60in x 

24in x 12in for easy transport in any SUV, 

truck, camper or small plane. 

Adding to its versatility further, the Sea 

Eagle FishSkiff16 is available in no less than 

10 different packages. 

www.seaeagle.com 


The Ultimate 

Roll-Up Fishing Skiff 

Sea Eagle ® FishSkiff 16 

This is the only fishing skiff in the world that can 

roll up & fit in a car trunk. 16’ long, it comfortably 

holds 1, 2, or 3 anglers & goes up to 22 mph with 

a 10 hp outboard. Featuring a patented outside 

keel for precise steering & great motoring 

performance in all sea conditions, this skiff can 

be taken on lakes, bays & seas. Made for anglers 

with low gunwales, built-in fishing rulers, Scotty® 

mounts, removable transom. See more at: 

Dealer Info: Wholesale@SeaEagle.com 

To Order: SeaEagle.com • Dept. TT014B

FEATURE 

Westin 

WESTIN’S ESCAPE 

FISHING CAMERA IS 

A GAME-CHANGER 

FOR ANGLERS 

Westin has proudly unveiled the world’s smallest and lightest underwater 

fishing camera, a revolutionary device that transforms the way anglers 

capture and share their underwater adventures. 

Weighing a mere 1.4oz 

(40g), the Escape Cam 

is incredibly lightweight, 

making it easy to carry and 

cast, even during extended fishing excursions. 

Despite its diminutive size, it delivers highquality 

videos at up to 60 frames per second, 

capturing vibrant colors and the true beauty 

of the underwater world. 

LEADING THE WAY 

One of the most remarkable features of 

this underwater camera is its adaptability. It 

remains submerged during retrieval without 

adding any significant weight, thanks to the 

innovative Dive Lip. 

This feature allows anglers to focus on 

their fishing techniques while the camera 

does the work. The Y-fin ensures steady and 

smooth video recordings, even when using 

lures with aggressive actions, ensuring that no 

underwater action is missed. 

As the fishing world continues to embrace 

cutting-edge technology, the Westin Escape 

Cam stands out as a pioneer in the field. 

It’s not just a fishing camera; it’s a gateway 

to a whole new level of angling excitement. 

One of the standout features that sets the 

Westin Escape Cam apart is the integration 

of OTG (On-The-Go) technology. 

“The integration of OTG technology into 

the Westin Escape Cam heralds a new era 

of underwater fishing experiences,” Michael 


Trøst, Westin product developer explains. 

“This innovative combination allows 

anglers to effortlessly connect their fishing 

camera to a range of devices on the go. 

Whether you’re sharing your underwater 

adventures with friends or quickly 

transferring your stunning footage to your 

smartphone, the Westin Escape Cam with 

OTG technology ensures that your fishing 

memories are easily accessible, shareable, and 

truly unforgettable.” 

SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE 

Operating this camera is a breeze. Users 

can effortlessly start and stop recordings by 

simply turning the end cap, ensuring the 

camera is always waterproof. 

This user-friendly design ensures 

that anglers maintain their focus on the 

excitement of fishing without struggling to 

operate the camera. 

Durability is a key hallmark of this 

underwater fishing camera. It can withstand 

depths of up to 650ft (200m), ensuring 

it remains operational in challenging 

underwater conditions, no matter where your 

fishing adventures take you. 

Arguably one of the most exciting features 

of the camera is its automatic white balance 

correction (UW-AWB). 

Say farewell to green or blue-tinted videos, 

as this camera ensures that your footage 

remains true to life, preserving the vibrancy 

and authenticity of your fishing memories. 

In a world of constant technological 

advancements, the Westin Escape 

Underwater Fishing Camera stands out 

as a game-changer for anglers who seek 

to capture and share their underwater 

adventures in unprecedented ways. 

Its small size, adaptability, durability and 

user-friendly design make it a must-have for 

any fishing enthusiast. 

www.westin-fishing.com/en/westin-cam 

WESTIN 

www.westin-fishing.com

DBW... 

CANADA 

D O i N G B u s i N E s s W i t H . . . 

CANADA 

Fishing is second nature to many in the world’s second largest country, 

thanks to a myriad of diverse opportunities in rivers, lakes and the sea. 

What it lacks in homegrown brands and manufacturers, it more than 

makes up for with retail outlets offering products from around the world. 

S 

altwater and freshwater fish 

abound in the lakes, streams, 

and shores of Canada and, 

as a result, over three million 

people each year enjoy fishing 

in its waters, with as many as 

200 different species of fish 

thriving here. 

With fishing charters, 

fishing lodges, numerous 

campgrounds and large and 

knowledgeable retail outlets, 

Canada is an excellent place 

for anglers – both resident and 

visiting, 

Chinook, pink, and sockeye 

salmon are plentiful in the 

rivers of Canada as well as 

along the western coastline 

of British Colombia, while 

walleye are arguably the most 

popular species to target 

thanks to their sheer size and 

strength. 

Fly fishing is a great way 

to get among the salmon and 

trout not to mention artic char, 

pike and even walleye. 

Carp fishing is also done 

here, with venues as diverse 

as the St Lawrence River 

in Quebec through to Lake 

Ontario and Georgian Bay. 

KEy FiGurEs 

Canada’s 10 provinces and 

three territories extend from 

the Atlantic to the Pacific 

and northward into the Arctic 

Ocean, covering 9.98 million 

sq km, making it the world’s 

second-largest country by total 

area. 

According to recent surveys, 

there were 3.6 million active 

anglers in Canada; 2.9 million 

were resident Canadians and 

over 774,000 were visiting 


DBW... 

CANADA 

ECONOMy FOCus 

$2.378 trillion GDP (USD) 

$53,246 GDP per capita (USD) 

5.5% Unemployment rate 

Top export partners: 

– usA 

– China 

– uK 

– Japan 

– Mexico 

Top import partners: 

– usA 

– China 

– Mexico 

– Germany 

– Japan 

FACt FiLE 

Capital: Ottowa 

Dialling code: +1 

Population: 40.09 million (2023 estimate) 

Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau 

Official languages: English and French 

Time zones: Newfoundland Time Zone, Atlantic Time Zone, Eastern Time, Central Time 

Zone, Mountain Time Zone, and Pacific Time Zone 

Currency: Canadian dollar 

Internet domain: .ca 

anglers, primarily from the 

United States. Canadians 

fished over 41 million days 

and visiting anglers over 5.2 

million days. 

Many fish ‘for the pot’ 

thanks to the large numbers 

of trout and salmon but, out 

of 233 million fish caught, 

around 84.6 million were kept. 

Recent estimates put 

the value of the Canadian 

sportfishing industry at around 

$10 billion, supporting around 

58,000 jobs and generating 

$5.8 billion in labour income. 

Canada is one of the world’s 

richest nations, with a highly 

sophisticated economy among 

the largest in the world, 

ranking 15th in terms of GDP 

(PPP) in 2014. 

Until the early 20th century 

Canada had a predominantly 

agricultural economy. Even 

after World War II, a quarter 

of the workforce was still 

engaged in agriculture. 

Today, it is highly 

industrialised with one 

of the world’s highest 

per capita income rates. 

Economic links 

with the USA were 

cemented by the Free 

Trade Agreement 

of 1989. This was 

subsequently enlarged 

to include Mexico 

under the North 

American Free Trade 

Agreement (NAFTA). 


31

DBW... 

CANADA 

H O W D O t H E y F i s H ? 

Recreational fishing is nothing short of a 

heritage tradition here. 

According to the national Canadian 

Nature Survey, men and women fishing (over 

18) averaged 27 days a year on the water 

per person with 21 per cent of the adult 

population participating in the preceding 12 

months. 

Traditionally, anglers use lure, bait and fly, 

but gear and methods vary by species, season, 

place and preference, ranging from the most 

primitive gear to boats outfitted with the 

most modern electronic equipment and 

conveniences. 

When the cold weather takes hold on 

Canada’s lakes, thoughts turn to ice fishing, 

which is arguably the best in the world. 

Depending on the location, expect to 

catch anything from pike, perch and walleye 

to trout, whitefish, burbot, while in some 

areas avid anglers will be drilling ice holes 

for plentiful smallmouth bass. 

sALMON & stEELHEAD 

Fly fishing in Canada will give you the 

opportunity to catch world record fish, 

with the season staring in April and 

running through to early November. 

Spring brings fresh runs of 

steelhead, trout and early Chinook 

salmon into the rivers. Steelhead 

and salmon fly fishing continues 

through the summer season and, by 

early September, the tributaries are 

filling up with Coho (silver salmon) 

and steelhead, providing excellent 

fishing as well as incredible wilderness 

scenery. 


WHitE sturGEON 

Sturgeon are one of the world’s biggest and hardest 

fighting freshwater fish, found in places such as 

the Fraser River system in Canada. They fight 

long and hard with acrobatic displays and long 

runs, requiring the use of reliable, quality tackle. 

Sturgeon feed primarily on salmon eggs most of 

the year, but when the salmon run they switch to 

eating whole fish. 

Fishing for sturgeon is best done from a boat, 

using up-tide tackle and static fish baits. The 

primary method is with a zip slider lead and a long 

hooklength leading down to your bait. Bait varies 

throughout the year and will always depend on 

what is running the river at the time.

DBW... 

CANADA 

i n d u s t r y V I E W 

Ben Gehrke, owner of RaidZap and Lagartun fly brands 

We have just about every type 

of fishery, with the exception of 

warm water for bonefish, tarpon 

and permit. But we do have 

countless lakes, rivers, streams 

and the ocean on three sides! 

Along with selling herring 

and flashers for saltwater 

spinning rods and combos for 

dads that want to fish with 

their kids, most shops have a 

pretty decent selection of fly tying 

materials to cater for all and a 

handful even have some really 

nice high-end stuff that is hard 

to find. 

The gear fisherman in British 

Columbia is fine spending some 

of their cash but fly anglers are 

far more obsessed and spend a 

lot more on gear, materials and 

trips. 

Especially now that Covid has 

settled down, people are getting 

on planes and spending between 

$5k and $40k for a week of 

fishing in some absolutely 

stunning places. 

It might be best explained as a 

typical year… 

Boxing Day is the official start 

to winter steelhead season in 

British Columbia. In most other 

parts of the country ice fishing is 

a fairly popular pastime on the 

weekends. 

At the same time, you can find 

a number of anglers out in the 

ocean trolling for winter spring 

salmon. 

Gradually, as the snow and 

the rain stops, and the days start 

to get longer and warmer in 

Vancouver, there is an early run 

of coho that come into at least 

one river. 

At the same time, depending 

on the elevation, some lakes 

are starting to ice off and some 

anglers for the first time are able 

to get in their boats and head out 

on to their favourite lakes. 

After this early run of salmon 

arrives freshet shows up and 

it makes things interesting. 

Freshet is when all the snow 

melts and the spring runoff hits 

and swells all the creeks and 

rivers. Freshet is mother nature’s 

raw power at its best and it 

continues to sculpt the rivers 

every year. 

Once freshet is over, and the 

rivers start to drop, the salmon 

start showing up in decent 

numbers and they start piling 

up at the river mouths in the 

saltwater waiting for enough 

rain to go back home to spawn. 

At the same time, the vast 

majority of lakes really start 

to turn on and anglers start 

heading out to get their fix. 

During the summer, you will 

see countless boats trolling the 

ocean, looking for spring and 

coho salmon and depending on 

geographically where you are 

pink salmon can show up as well. 

Sockeye can also be found out 

there along with chum salmon. 

There’s also some excellent 

opportunities to fish for salmon 

from some of the local beaches. 

Some of the lake fishing 

during this time will turn off 

or slow due to the hot summer 

conditions, and rising water 

temperatures. 

Once we get into September, 

things really start to change. The 

days get shorter, and for the most 

part the rains return to British 

Columbia. That first really good 

rainfall brings the river levels 

up and that sounds the trumpet 

for the salmon to charge to their 

native waters to spawn. 

Salmon season on some of 

the local rivers can be crazy – 

everybody and their dog comes 

out to the river to take their 

stab at putting a few fish in the 

freezer to enjoy over the winter. 

For some rivers, like the 

Vedder, it can be shoulder to 

shoulder in places. Some refer to 

it as ‘full contact fishing’ because 

everybody is so close but, for the 

most part, people are respectful 

and will give you space to fish as 

long as you’re not an idiot. 

With the cooler temperatures 

of the fall, the lakes will turn 

on yet again with some of the 

fishing off the charts! 

Depending on the estimated 

returns according to the 

Department of Fisheries and 

Oceans, they do occasionally open 

up the Fraser River to salmon 

fishing. 

This can be a very tricky thing 

for some tackle shops to navigate, 

because if DFO decides to have 

a sockeye opening they typically 

announce it days before, not 

weeks and definitely not months. 

So the tackle shops have an 

impossible task. If it does open, 

they have to have all of the gear 

associated with that fishery, and 

for some shops this can be worth 

tens of thousands of dollars. 

This year, the DFO did not 

have a sockeye opening and 

many tackle shops that were left 

with tens of thousands of dollars 

of equipment that literally will 

be collecting dust until next year. 

The winter months are the 

biggest months for the fly and 

tackle shops because this is when 

everybody decides to fill their 

boxes and tie up all their leaders 

and get stocked up for the coming 

season. 

Most of shops are very quiet in 

September and October because 

everybody is out on the rivers, 

lakes and oceans, fishing. So 

the industry here is very much 

cyclical, and for the shops that 

have been in business a little bit 

longer they have noticed certain 

trends when people are coming 

in and purchasing things, 

and they do their best to make 

sure that they have the correct 

inventory in stock for each fishery 

or fly tying season. 

I would say that there’s a 

fairly good trend of more people, 

especially women, who are 

starting to fly fish. A lot of the 

shops in the lower mainland 

offer courses for beginners, 

including some on tying flies. 

Others offer casting, with some 

using a classroom session to talk 

about your rod and reel and how 

to rig all of your terminal tackle 

before taking you out on the 

river for a guided outing where 

you learn how to read water and 

locate fish. 

There’s also a number of 

anglers starting to broaden their 

horizons with warm water trips 

to Christmas Island, Mexico and 

other destinations to try their 

hand at fishing for bonefish, 

tarpon, permit, and even giant 

trevally. 

If you venture to the Skeena 

and its tributaries in the fall, you 

will see all kinds of people lining 

the banks, looking for their first 

or maybe their 100th summerrun 

steelhead. 

Other than a handful of locals, 

this fishery is 99 per cent fly 

fishermen. I have shaken hands 

with people from Germany, Italy 

and France to name a few. Lots 

of other anglers come from all 

over Canada and the United 

States to fish what we consider to 

be sacred water. 

The Skeena is definitely a 

destination worth making the 

effort to go and fish. It’s just 

beautiful there. 

There are some towns like 

Houston and Smithers that very 

much rely on this massive wave 

of tourists that come to fish every 

fall. Not only are they spending 

money on guides and filling their 

waiters with all kinds of goodies 

from the local shops but they’re 

also using all of the restaurants 

and hotels. So when you look 

at the overall impact of people 

travelling over an ocean and 

living there for a week or two 

it’s a massive boost to the local 

economy. 


33

FEATURE 

Simms 

A WARM 

WELCOME 

BACK FOR 

SIMMS’ 

BULKLEY 

JACKET 

A beloved classic from fishing apparel expert Simms is making 

a long-awaited return for cold or wet weather enthusiasts. 

Sometimes, the best fishing takes 

place amidst the most challenging 

weather. Specifically, low 

temperatures, rain, sleet, snow and 

wind. 

These elements (especially when 

combined) can very quickly sway the 

minds of anglers away from the task at 

hand. Instead of focusing on their drift, or 

re-evaluating their rig, or taking the time to 

swap out flies, or move to more productive 

water, they’re focused on getting warm and 

dry. 

BEATING THE ELEMENTS 

Over 10 years ago, Simms introduced the 

Bulkley jacket, named after the renowned 

steelhead river. And as we all know, often the 

best steelheading comes with its fair share of 

inclement weather. 

Combining the waterproof/breathable 

protection of Gore-Tex with the incredible 

warming capabilities of PrimaLoft Silver 

Insulation, the original Bulkley jacket offered 

anglers a way to embrace the elements 

and focus on fishing in a single piece of 

outerwear. 

The Bulkley was an immediate hit, 

specifically for anglers that consistently fish 

in cold/wet environments. However, for 

some reason, the Bulkley disappeared from 

the Simms collection for a number of years. 


In the Bulkley’s absence, Simms 

continued offering premium outerwear and 

layering options. It also introduced several 

waterproof/insulated pieces but the wading 

jacket hole left by the Bulkley remained until 

August of this year. 

Back by popular demand, Simms’ beloved 

Bulkley jacket has re-emerged as part of its 

Fall 2023 product collection. 

SETTING THE STANDARD 

When you’re ready to chase the biggest 

and brightest through the season’s coldest 

and harshest, the all-new Bulkley sets the 

insulated-jacket standard for premium 

warmth and unwavering wet and windy 

weather protection. 

Constructed with a two-layer waterproof/ 

breathable Gore-Tex exterior, the Bulkley is 

also powered by PrimaLoft Silver insulation. 

A comfortable, breathable liner allows easy 

on/off and a three-panel hood with threepoint 

adjustable stretch cords gives anglers the 

ability to lock warmth in and keep water out. 

An exposed YKK centre front waterproof 

zipper is backed by an internal storm placket 

and the pocket array includes two handwarmer 

pockets, positioned high for deep 

wading, two vertical chest pockets all with 

integrated drain holes, and an interior mesh 

dump pocket. 

There is also a waterproof zippered pocket 

on the upper right arm to store smaller onwater 

essentials. 

Sleeves built with articulation allow 

enhanced mobility and cuffs have interior 

stretch neoprene to seal in heat and cinch 

closed to keep water out. 

The much-needed new Bulkley fills a hole 

in the Simms collection for anglers that want 

to remain warm, dry and in the moment 

while fishing in the harshest conditions. 

www.simmsfishing.com/collections/mensouterwear/products/ms-bulkley-insulated-jacket 

SIMMS 

www.simmsfishing.com

FEATURE 

CHINA FISH 2024 

THE BIGGEST SHOW FOR 

SOURCING NEW TACKLE 

China Fish 2024 is back and heading to the New China International Exhibition Center, 

Beijing, from February 21st to 23rd, 2024 as the whole tackle industry gathers once again. 

At China Fish 2024, you 

are going to meet over 

600 exhibitors and your 

international buying 

colleagues from close to 80 countries and 

regions in this 39,300 sq m exhibition 

centre, with the event being staged for 

the 30th time. 

Some of the faces will be familiar to 

you, some are new. You will see tens of 

thousands of products in the booths 

and over 200 items at the Best Product 

Showcase, selected by the exhibitors to be 

voted by all the international buyers for 

the Best of China Fish 2024. 

In addition, you can get the best room 

prices for China Fish hotels over the 

past 20 years, thanks to favourable global 

exchange rates with China’s RMB – plus 

the excellent discounts secured for all 

China Fish attendees. 

What’s more, you might get one free 

night at the official China Fish 2024 

hotels, such as Crowne Plaza, Hilton, 

CITIC, Ramada by Wyndham, Lido 

and Holiday Inn, for your company if 

you register and book your room before 

December 31st, 2023. But the number of 

the free rooms provided by the sponsors 

of China Fish 2024 are limited, you have 

to scramble for them now. 


China Fish 

FEATURE 

Helpful advice 

• Don’t forget to register for a FREE 

three-day badge before January 31st, 

2024. Otherwise you will find yourself 

paying US$55 for your onsite registration 

per person for the three days. 

• If you are a past visitor to China Fish or 

CGC (Weihai) Expo, you can register by 

sending your name to Lijiang@chinafish. 

cn, or if you are a first-time visitor, you 

can register on its official website: www. 

chinafishshow.org . It’s quick and easy. 

• Apply for your visa to China as early as 

possible. If you are travelling to the show 

from a country whose citizens require 

a visa for China, you can request a visa 

invitation letter to be emailed to you by 

the organiser to help you get your visa at 

the Chinese Embassy in your area. 

• Make a hotel reservation for China Fish 

2024 as early as possible. The prices of 

China Fish hotels are at group rate, and 

it’s easy to reserve and flexible to change. 

You can even get a free room and have 

more choices for your booking if you act 

quickly, before December 31st, 2023. 

• Although almost all China Fish 

exhibitors can speak English, if you 

would like to speak your own language 

at the show, you can book an interpreter 

speaking your own language from the 

organiser – for example English, French, 

German, Italian, Spanish, and more. 

• Make a visiting plan according to the 

Exhibitor Listings and Floorplan on the 

website, after all, it’s a great challenge to 

source over 600 exhibitors onsite. 

• You can get your badge in your hotel 

one day prior to the opening day of the 

show, if you have pre-registered and 

booked the hotel from China Fish. It may 

take you more time to get your badge at 

the Badge-Holder-Pick-Up Desk at the 

show in a queue on the opening day. 

• Most of the China Fish Hotels provide 

complimentary show shuttle buses 

between the hotels and the exhibition 

centre, while free airport shuttle buses 

will pick up and drop off guests at Beijing 

International Capital Airport. 

• Don’t forget to visit the Best Product 

Showcase (in Hall E3), which gathers 

over 200 products recommended by the 

exhibitors and vote for the Best of China 

Fish 2024 of each category. As usual, 

there will be some excellent products to 

view. The winners will be announced at 

the Best Product Awards Banquet on the 

second evening of the show at Crowne 

Plaza. And you will be invited to join the 

banquet, and be the first to get to know 

the results, then enjoy the gourmet buffet 

with your industry friends and partners. 

• If you have walked too much or need a 

space to talk with your friend at the show, 

take a rest at the Visitor Lounge, situated 

within the Best Product Showcase. It 

serves coffee, tea, soft drinks, cookies, 

chocolates and fruit for all visitors. 

After all that, do you feel a three-day 

show is not enough for your business? 

Once you have registered for China 

Fish 2024, you will get a China Fish All- 

In-One Membership for a whole year. 

Log in to the China Fish All-in-One 

platform with the ID and PIN sent to 

you and you can visit 580 suppliers’ online 

stores with more than 7,300 products. 

You can also chat with suppliers directly 

on the platform and there is always a 

China Fish coordinator for you to assist 

you to find products and suppliers online 

and offline in China, for one year. 

CHINA FISH 

+86 10 58203101/02/03 

Lijiang@chinafish.cn 

www.chinafishshow.org 


37

MAKING 

CONTACT 

Making Contact 

1 

2 

Want your products to 

be seen by thousands of 

potential buyers… FREE 

of charge? Then get in 

touch, we’d love to hear 

from you. 

3 

1 FLYING FISHERMAN 

RAFTER FLOATING SUNGLASSES 

2 Z-MAN 

GREMLIN 

3 DAIWA 

SOL AGS SPINNING RODS 

JOHN HUNTER 

+44 7990 542958 

john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

Contact John directly for details of 

how to send your product and a 

short description to Tackle Trade 

World’s office. 

The Rafter – new for 2024 and 

boasting floating frame technology 

– features wraparound styling 

with eight base curve lenses for 

generous polarised coverage, wide 

temples to block side glare and 

wind, non-slip nose and temple 

padding, and mirrored lenses 

treated for saltwater resistance. 

The eco-friendly frames are 

made with TPX, the lowest density 

polymer available, making them 

lighter than water so they float in 

either fresh or saltwater. 

Available in matte black frames 

with smoke lenses, matte black 

with silver mirror, matte black with 

green mirror, or matte tortoise 

with blue mirror lenses. 

www.flyingfisherman.com 

Designed by Z-Man pro Brian 

‘B.Lat’ Latimer, the Gremlin 

presents bass with a bulky, 

creature bait profile with radical 

action-driven anatomy. 

A ribbed body increases water 

displacement and palatable 

texture, while trapping and 

exuding air bubbles for visual 

enticement. Twin curly tails and 

unique side appendages activate 

effortlessly, producing ceaseless 

movement and subtle quivering 

action. 

Constructed from specialised 

ElaZtech ‘flipping’ formulation, the 

Gremlin offers enhanced durability 

with easier hook penetration. Its 

polygonal body core holds hook 

point securely, even when dragged 

through heavy cover and rises off 

the bottom at rest. 

This six-rod line-up is designed 

to target everything from redfish, 

sea trout, snook, permit and even 

tarpon. The one-piece, fast action 

rods are offered in three 7ft models 

in medium-light and mediumheavy 

powers, and three 7ft 6in 

rods in medium-light, mediumheavy 

and heavy action. 

HVF NANOPLUS carbon 

technology reinforces the blank 

through a micro-level arrangement 

of material in the plastic resin, 

while the Braiding X and X-45 

Bias construction add better hoop 

strength for pulling on fish. Daiwa’s 

exclusive carbon-framed Air Guide 

System (AGS) guides provide 

more rigidity and sensitivity by 

intensifying vibrations during the 

cast for a quicker response and feel 

for increased lure action sensitivity. 

zmanfishing.com 

daiwa.us 


C O N N E C T I N G S E L L E R S A N D B U Y E R S G L O B A L L Y 

Postbox, Inbox… 

or both? 

UNI PRODUCTS J.G. Cote Inc. 

1004 Principale 

Ste-Melanie, QC. Canada JOK 3AO 

Tel: 450-889-8054 

Toll-Free: 1-877-889-8054 

Fax: 450-889-5887 

Email: info@uniproducts.com 

NEW FROM UNI 

TTW prints and mails thousands of 

copies across the globe every month. 

We also publish the magazine digitally, 

allowing subscribers to receive the magazine 

at the push of a button. 

If you haven’t done so already, sign up to 

this service by visiting the website and 

clicking on the ‘subscribe’ tab. 

The printed magazine isn’t going anywhere 

but to keep your finger on the pulse, sign up to 

our digital database today at: 


TAKE CONTROL OF SPOOLED WIRE 

WITH THE NEW UNI-STRAP 

Look to UNI for the best in spooled fly-tying materials! 

www.uniproducts.com 

A GROUNDBREAKING SERIES OF GUIDES AND TOPS, 

TONY ENGINEERING, PATENT PENDING! 

TONY HUANG 

PACBAY MINIMA - X offers an unparalleled level of durability, solving the problems commonly associated with inner rings 

popping out or getting crushed. Through extensive reform and innovation, PACBAY MINIMA - X is constructed using highstrength 

, one-piece stainless steel. Both the guides and tops utilize mirror polishing, multi-layer Hard Chrome plating, and 

Titanium plating processes, resulting in corrosion resistance, low friction, and high thermal conductivity. As a result , the friction 

force during long-distance casting or retrieving is significantly reduced. 

If you’ve ever experienced the nightmare of losing or breaking your inner ring while battling a tough fish, you’ll appreciate the superiority of PACBAY 

MINIMA - X. Currently, we offer sizes ranging from #05 to #20, with plans to expand up to #50. More sizes and models will be available soon. We believe 

these guides are ideal for lure anglers, particularly carp anglers who often face issues with the #50 stripper guide getting damaged during transportation. 

With PACBAY MINIMA - X, this problem has been entirely eliminated. 

In summary, PACBAY MINIMA - X guides and tops are renowned for their exceptional durability and ability to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions. 

This innovation in the fishing world, through the abandonment of ceramic and stainless-steel rings, allows fishermen to bid farewell to the nightmares of 

ring breakages, crushing, and detachment. 

Build Great Fishing Rods 

www.fishpacbay.com 

info@fishpacbay.com

FEATURE 

Energofish 

TACKLE STORAGE 

SORTED, THANKS TO 

FISHING BOX 

With so much tackle now out there, it’s harder than ever to 

keep track of all your kit, especially when out on the bank. 

Thankfully, Fishing Box’s system keeps everything in place 

and to hand at all times. 

It’s fair to say that, nowadays, the range 

of accessories and small items used for 

fishing is almost inexhaustible. 

With all sorts of fishing methods, 

such as spinning, carp, catfish or even 

competitive feeder fishing styles, there is a 

huge selection of terminal tackle and other 

bits and bobs available to anglers. 

This vast selection across a myriad of 

product ranges is especially worth storing in 

an orderly manner, as you never know what 

you will need while fishing! 

Who wouldn’t have had enough of the 

plethora of boxes and bags, the messy 

cavalcade of gear that is held in a fisherman’s 

holdall, carryall or backpack? 

Perhaps the most valuable thing on your 

fishing adventure is nothing less than the 

time that a well-designed box can save 

you, meaning you don’t have to spend long 

minutes searching for a particular item when 

the fish are biting. 

BOXING CLEVER 

Hard, resistant materials, durable design and 

waterproofness are key advantages for any 

products made to enhance your time on the 

bank. 

These, combined with a practical design 

and tidy internal storage spaces guarantee 

transparency in the box, so everything is at 

hand, making your fishing faster and more 

efficient. 

The Fishing Box series – one of the key 

ranges from Hungarian manufacturer 

Energofish – offers a great solution for all 

these previously mentioned issues. 

With a variety of sizes and designs, it can 

be an ideal choice for anglers no matter what 

method of fishing they prefer. 

From simpler spinning lure boxes to really 

large feeder boxes, Energofish’s range offers 

solutions for storing fishing accessories, with 

options that give anglers enough excellent, 

durable alternatives. 

Look for FishingBox products and series 

on the Energofish website to find out more: 

energofish.com/brand/Fishing-Box_76.html 

ENERGOFISH 

www. energofish.com 


Classifieds 

SPLIT RING 

PLIERS 

CLASSIFIEDS 

UNIQUELY DIFFERENT (NEW-PATENTED) 

The EASIEST... The FASTEST... 

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for changing hooks or spinner blades 

visit www.TexasTackle.com for demo video 

WHOLESALE ONLY 

4 Sizes 

www.TexasTackle.com 

RIGS !!!! 

TO BOOK THIS SPACE CONTACT: 

NORTH AMERICA 

BART MANGANIELLO 

T: +1 914 722 7601 

E: bartalm@optonline.net 

REST of WORLD 

GUIDO KNEGT 

T: +39 347 503 6436 

E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk 

COMING UP… 

FEBRUARY 2024 

CHINA FISH 2024 PREVIEW 

Ad Copy: December 15th, 2023 

Mailed: January 3rd, 2024 

Special issue: Bass Fishing 

Spotlight: Reels 

Doing Business With: Great Lakes 

MARCH 2024 

Ad Copy: January 26th, 2024 

Mailed: February 14th, 2024 

Special issue: Fly Fishing 

Spotlight: Rods 

Doing Business With: Scandinavia 

APRIL 2024 

Ad Copy: February 23rd, 2024 

Mailed: March 13th, 2024 

Special issue: Saltwater Fishing 

Spotlight: Lures 

Doing Business With: Africa 

To submit news or editorial for 

any of these issues, contact: 

To advertise or discuss a marketing campaign in any of these editions, 

contact our business development team: 

EDITOR 

JOHN HUNTER 

T: + 44 (0)7990 542958 

E: john.hunter@dhpub.co.uk 

NORTH AMERICA 

BART MANGANIELLO 

T: +1 914 722 7601 

E: bartalm@optonline.net 

REST of WORLD 

GUIDO KNEGT 

T: +39 347 503 6436 

E: guido.knegt@dhpub.co.uk

Rock fishing competition held in Keelung, Taiwan 

From October 14th to 15th, 2023, Keelung, Taiwan 

held a major event in the rock fishing industry, 

that is, the "2023 Keelung Island International 

Rock Fishing Competition". On the 14th, the 

team competition and individual competition 

preliminary rounds were held. The team 

competition of the event adopted a competition 

system. , the finals of the individual competition 

were held on the 15th. Mayor Xie Guoliang also 

paid great attention to it and participated in the 

contestant night and awards ceremony for two 

consecutive days. 

This year, 84 fishing experts from all over the world 

gathered together. Three of them were from Hong 

Kong. This was the first time since Keelung held the 

fifth session that Hong Kong players participated. 

However, due to limited fishing venues, the number 

of places is limited. Online Registration opened and 

was sold out within 20 minutes. Picture Keelung 

Island has always been a dream fishing spot for 

rock fishing friends. It is blessed with volcanic rock 

geology and abundant fish sources gathered by 

ocean currents. It can be called a very high-quality 

fishing spot in Asia. Keelung Island’s main island 

sightseeing tour will be temporarily closed on 10/31 

for recuperation. The city government also took 

advantage of the arrival of the fishing season in the 

northeast corner to hold competitions to warm up 

the players. 

This year, the Keelung City Government's Industrial 

Development Department has been advocating the 

concept of marine conservation and environmental 

sustainability since the beginning of the year. 

This time, it also brought such concepts into the 

competition, such as releasing small fish, keeping 

garbage from falling into the sea, and fishing reward 

mechanisms. Build up fishing friends to jointly 

create a sustainable environment and a friendly 

fishing attitude. Picture This event has also received 

strong support and sponsorship products from 

many manufacturers. Many fishing tackle brand 

companies have provided sponsorship products for 

the event to cheer for the players. 

The Keelung City Government will also participate 

in the second Fishing Tackle Expo organized by the 

Taiwan Fishing Tackle Industry Association at the 

Huashan Cultural and Creative Park from October 

27th to 29th. Everyone is welcome to participate in 

the event.

Fishermen transform into fishing services 

Assist referees to maintain order, distribute bait to players, arrange mineral water, deliver lunches, assist with 

weighing, clean fishing gear and fish baskets... At the fishing competition of the 11th National Fitness Games 

in Wuhan, the husband and wife team Zou Zhiming and Yang Hongzhen This is the fourth time that they have 

participated in fishing competition services as fishing guide volunteers. Although every fishing guide is too 

busy, they feel very fulfilled. 

In order to restore the ecology of the Yangtze River, China launched a ten-year fishing ban plan in 2020. The 

fishermen who have retired from fishing have come ashore and are in urgent need of changing their jobs. 

Fishing guide is an emerging profession that emerged under the background of the "ten-year fishing ban". 

The main job content is to guide fishermen to standardize recreational fishing behaviors in natural waters 

or artificial fishing grounds. The existence of fishing guides and the improvement of their working abilities 

are of great significance in promoting the implementation of laws and regulations, promoting the healthy 

development of recreational fishing, maintaining the ecological environment, improving safety management 

levels, and promoting the employment transformation of fishermen. 

When it comes to the Wuhan couple’s dedicated fishing guide career, we have to start with their determination 

to go ashore to make a living. 

In fact, fishing guides were not a livelihood for Zou Zhiming and Yang Hongzhen at the beginning. They were 

born in Qingshan District, Wuhan City. They have been fishing on the Yangtze River for decades, and fishing 

boats are their home. Their fishing footprints are all over the Hubei section of the Yangtze River, and have 

been as far as Jiayu County, Xianning City, 100 kilometers away from Wuhan. 

Fishing is also a business where the income is huge. Sometimes you return with a full harvest, and sometimes 

you get very little. Although they thought about changing to a more relaxed and higher-paying profession, Zou 

Zhiming, whose ancestors have been fishermen for generations, has followed his fathers fishing since he was 

a child and has not acquired other skills and can only make a living with this. Regardless of whether it was 

windy or rainy, the couple had to go fishing on the boat to support their family, which was a very hard life. 

Originally, it was fine for the two young people to suffer a little, but after having children, they could no longer 

float on the water. The two applied for affordable housing from the government and settled down in Qingshan. 

As the children grew older and needed more help with their studies, Yang Hongzhen gradually took care of her 

children at home, leaving Zou Zhiming alone to fish and support the family. 

After the ban on fishing in the Yangtze River, under the arrangements of the Qingshan District Government 

and Hongwei Street Street, the couple changed from fishermen to fishermen, and became the patrolmen of the 

Erqi Bridge River Section in Qingshan District - the Construction Eighth Road River Section. In addition to 

the basic salary, there are also five insurances and one housing fund. Compared with fishing, at least the most

asic life guarantee is provided. 

Although they both work on the water, fishing 

protection and fishing are two very different types 

of work, which are still full of challenges for the 

couple. The main reason is that there is currently a 

general lack of flexible management concepts, and 

it is easy to cause conflicts and easy communication 

with fishing friends. Cause social conflicts. "In this 

year's fishing guide training class, the instructor 

specifically told us about communication methods 

and methods, and played videos of their on-site 

duties for us to learn from. We learned a lot, from 

policies and regulations to personal safety, from 

thinking about ourselves Communicate from their 

perspective, and now these ‘old fishing friends’ are 

very cooperative.” 

Not only the couple Zou Zhiming and Yang 

Hongzhen, "the transition of fishermen to other 

industries" has always been the core problem of 

the Yangtze River's comprehensive fishing ban 

system, which determines the effect of the fishing ban. Since most of the fishermen on the river are older, have 

low education levels, and have limited skills, they have affection for natural waters and aquatic life, and it is 

difficult for them to stay away from the waters. It is not easy for fishermen to quit fishing in the Yangtze River 

and switch to other industries. Therefore, after the Yangtze River banned fishing and stopped fishing, they 

lost a lot of money. With long-term sources of income and government financial subsidies, some fishermen 

who have retired from fishing have been absorbed into the fishery administration assistance patrol team, but 

there are still many part-time or short-term labor relationships, which require system innovation and model 

innovation to ensure long-term protection. 

Based on this, in order to improve the professional skills of retired fishermen and rangers, help them adapt to 

the new social and economic environment of the "ten-year fishing ban", find new career development paths, 

and increase sources of income. In October 2022, with the support of HSBC Bank (China) Co., Ltd., the 

Hubei Yangtze River Ecological Protection Foundation launched the Yangtze River Ten-year Fishing Ban and 

Retirement Fishermen Alternative Livelihood Project, and established a project in Wuhan with the Wuhan 

Fishing Association The demonstration site has opened up the exploration of new paths for fishermen who 

have retired from fishing to switch to other industries. 

Zou Zhiming and Yang Hongzhen also joined the project training for the first time in April this year. During 

the training, they learned knowledge about fishing ban management laws and regulations, patrol assistance 

work specifications, emergency safety measures, and guidance on civilized fishing. Precisely because of the 

improvement of their knowledge and skills, in addition to daily patrolling, the couple is often invited to serve 

as volunteers in fishing competitions. While showing off their talents, they also achieve an increase in income. 

"After these several events, our family's income has not only increased, but we have also accumulated rich 

experience in refereeing. Next, we plan to continue to strengthen our studies with the help of the project and 

strive to take the National Level 2 Referee Examination in October. , I can participate in fishing guide services 

as a referee next year." Zou Zhiming is full of confidence.

The 2023 Luya Hero Challenge China Finals 

concluded successfully 

On September 16-17, the 2023 Luya Hero 

Challenge National Finals concluded successfully 

in Shanghai! This event is directed by CRAA. At 

6:30 in the morning, following the referee’s order, 

the contestants entered the fishing positions one 

by one according to the order of the draw, and the 

scene was spectacular. During the competition, 

contestants showed off their special skills and 

focused on controlling the fishing rod, striving 

to catch the most target fish within the limited 

time. Throwing, reeling in, controlling bait, and 

stabbing fish were performed skillfully and in one 

go. The contestants showed their extraordinary 

fishing skills. Everyone made friends with each 

other through "fishing" and had fun. 

The champion Gao Peng participated in the Dalian 

station this season and won the championship 

in Dalian. He advanced to the national finals as 

the champion of the Dalian station. He has been 

fishing for more than 10 years, mainly freshwater 

bass. This time he participated in the finals and experienced sea bass as the target species for the first time. The 

equipment he brought was all freshwater bass fishing equipment. He used a small gram throughout the whole 

process. With the heavy lead head hook and T-tail, he failed to seize the opportunity many times. In addition, 

the lottery number was relatively late, so there were not many points for him to choose when entering. He only 

tried to change the punctuation point within 100 meters. Under such a situation where neither the right time nor 

the right place was advantageous, the fishing idea was clear and precise, and he stuck to his position. In the end, 

he won the championship in the national finals with a total score of 13 tails!

FEATURE 

Marketing 

WHY STORYTELLING CAN WORK 

FOR YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY 

Traditional ways of selling and marketing products still work but how do 

you get the edge on your competitors? Storytelling can be a powerful tool 

for your business sales and marketing efforts. 

By crafting compelling narratives, 

you can connect with your 

audience on a deeper level, build 

brand loyalty and differentiate your 

products and services from competitors. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use 

storytelling effectively in your marketing 

strategy… 

IDENTIFY YOUR BRAND STORY 

Start by defining your brand’s unique story. 

What inspired you to enter the industry and 

what products do you understand or use/sell? 

What are your core values? How do you relate 

to the fishing community and what sets your 

business apart? 

UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE 

To create engaging stories, you must know 

your target audience. Are they professional 

anglers, beginners or recreational fishers? 

What are their pain points, needs and 

aspirations related to their sport? Tailor your 

stories to resonate with their interests. 

HIGHLIGHT CUSTOMER 

EXPERIENCES 

Collect and share customer testimonials 

and success stories. Show how your 

tackle has helped people catch more fish, 

have memorable fishing adventures or 

win competitions. Personal stories from 

real customers can be very relatable and 

persuasive. 

SHOWCASE PRODUCT 

DEVELOPMENT: 


Share the journey of how your tackle 

products are designed, tested and improved. 

Highlight the dedication and passion of 

your team in creating high-quality gear. 

Emphasise the craftsmanship and innovation 

that goes into each item. 

EDUCATE AND INFORM 

Develop informative and educational content 

about fishing techniques, tackle maintenance 

or fishing destinations. You can use blog 

posts, videos and social media to provide 

valuable information to your audience. 

Stories that impart knowledge can position 

your brand as an expert in the field. 

TELL ENVIRONMENTAL AND 

CONSERVATION STORIES 

Given the importance of sustainability in 

the fishing industry, share stories about 

your commitment to preserving natural 

ecosystems. Highlight efforts to reduce the 

environmental impact of your products and 

promote responsible fishing practices. 

USE VISUAL CONTENT 

Visual elements, such as high-quality 

images and videos, are essential for 

storytelling. Showcasing the beauty of 

fishing destinations, the excitement of the 

catch and the effectiveness of your products 

through visual storytelling can captivate your 

audience. 

LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA 

Social media platforms like Instagram, 

Facebook, and YouTube are ideal for sharing 

short, engaging stories. Use hashtags and 

user-generated content to build a community 

around your brand. 

COLLABORATE WITH INFLUENCERS 

Partner with fishing influencers and 

experts to co-create content and share 

their experiences with your products. Their 

authenticity and reach can help amplify your 

brand’s message. 

ENGAGE IN INTERACTIVE 

STORYTELLING 

Encourage user-generated content and 

participation. Run contests, ask for fishing 

stories or create interactive quizzes and polls 

related to fishing. This involvement helps 

foster a sense of community and engagement. 

MONITOR AND ADAPT 

Continuously monitor the performance of 

your storytelling efforts. Analyse metrics like 

engagement, website traffic and conversion 

rates. Adjust your strategy based on what’s 

working and what isn’t. 

In sectors like the outdoors where 

experiences are key, using storytelling 

effectively can help your brand connect with 

anglers, showcase the value of your products, 

and contribute to the growth of your 

business. Remember that authenticity and a 

genuine passion for fishing and tackle will 

resonate most with your audience. 

•John Hunter is director of PR, marketing 

and events expert HunterMedia. 

john@hunter-media.co.uk

CATMAGNET - Design by Ramón Nieto 

1 2 

3 4 

5 6 

click 

0.30 - 0.35 mm monofil 

0.25 - 0.30 mm monofil 

0.20 - 0.25 mm monofil 

7 8 

A revolutionary new Hungarian invention 

that makes catfish fishing easier! 

The structure consists of two units, which are connected by a magnet. 

The white floating part can be fixed or running on the main line, and the other, 

blue component, contains the braid necessary for fastening, with which the 

structure can be attached to a landmark near the searched location. As a result 

of a bite, these two parts release and the fight with the fish can begin. 

Partners Wanted! 

Energofish Ltd. is looking for new Partners 

all over the World. Free delivery on orders 

over €300. Registration and other details: 

NETHERLANDS GERMANY SWEDEN POLAND FRANCE ITALY 

INFO@ENERGOFISH.COM 

WWW.ENERGOFISH.COM

Tackle Trade World - December 2023

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