ICAST Exhibitors Stand Up for Stewardship
OutdoorHub 07.09.12
This week, the sportfishing industry convenes in Orlando for ICAST, and some companies will be making a statement with Recycled Fish: We Are Stewards.
These leaders know that we have an inherent responsibility to the fisheries upon which our industry relies, and they’re making it known by including a Recycled Fish display in their booths.
“Catch and release and taking kids fishing are important, but on their own they just can’t solve the problems facing our waters,” says Teeg Stouffer, Recycled Fish Executive Director. “Recycled Fish and its partners are creating a lifestyle of stewardship among anglers. It’s big picture thinking. All of our choices both on and off the water matter, because our lifestyle runs downstream.”
TTI Blakemore, Castalia Outdoors, Fishhound, Pure Fishing, Aqua Design, Bullet Weights, and Lucky Bug Lure Co all will feature a “We Are Stewards” display in their booths highlighting the Recycled Fish Stewardship Ethic. These brands also produce products that offer anglers environmentally conscious options.
TTI Blakemore supports a number of stewardship initiatives with Recycled Fish through products like their Daiichi Circle hooks, Team Catfish Circle hooks, and Tru-Turn Cam Action hooks. Their assortment of high-quality hooks supports effective catch and release and promotes excellent survival rates in released fish.
Castalia Outdoors has innovated the Flip Net series of folding nets, which are endorsed by Recycled Fish and feature rubberized mesh, which is easier on fish than cotton or nylon nets. Their lightweight, high quality, compact nets help anglers get a handle on trophy fish while better ensuring that released fish will live for another fight. This year at ICAST the company releases the Kayak Flip Net, a smaller portable addition to the two existing nets in the lineup.
Fishhound.com, the world’s largest online fishing community and leading provider of real-time fishing reports, also distributes stewardship education from Recycled Fish through its website. This year at ICAST, the company will highlight its “Gear Tester” Product Showcase program. The Product Showcase was created to help manufacturers showcase their brands to anglers and businesses in a way that leverages the change in consumer buying patterns. The program combines a heavy-dose of social media with hands-on product testing, user recommendations, feedback & ratings.
Pure Fishing needs no introduction in the fishing industry, and its Berkley Conservation Institute highlights critical issues facing fisheries such as preserving water quantity and quality, responsible energy development, strategic fisheries management, preventing the spread of invasive species, encouraging youth participation and more. Berkley is the title sponsor for the 2012 Recycled Fish 24 Hour Fish-A-Thon.
Aqua Design helps anglers fish smarter by wearing skyward camo fishing shirts, pants, hats, jackets, vests and more. Aqua Design water camo fishing apparel is comfortable as well as functional, and each comes with an educational hang-tag that reminds anglers that we are more than sportsmen – we are stewards.
Bullet Weights produces a non-toxic Ultra Steel and tungsten line of fishing weights, which are endorsed by Recycled Fish as part of the S.A.F.E. Angling program. Bullet Weights has the largest selection of environmentally friendly sinkers available in the marketplace.
Lucky Bug Lure Company produces innovative “Bingo Bug” lures that can be used by both fly and conventional tackle anglers. A cross between a crankbait and a fly, they feature natural feathers, phthalate-free plastic, and a single-hook design. From materials to catch-and-release friendly lures, they’re a S.A.F.E. Angling endorsed company.
For more on Recycled Fish and the We Are Stewards campaign, visit www.RecycledFish.org or contact Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director.
