International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades
Western States Sportsman 07.27.11
ICAST. I had the privilege of attending the ICAST this year in Las Vegas, Nevada. July 13-15 seemed to be a perfect time of year to hold this amazing event. I have had a life of outdoor experiences and even though most of what I saw was familiar to me, I couldn’t help but feel like a kid in a candy store. We at the Western States Sportsman seemed to be the only organization that was there specifically to highlight the show and bring you the news about what was coming down the pipes for 2012. It was a chance to let you all see what the industry has to offer all of us. We all have our favorites that we choose when we need something and I believe that all of the manufacturers will reveal things that will hold your allegiance. Acres of booths, new products, a casting pond, media area with laptops for us, best products showcase, food and more. This was an all-out, no holds barred event that captured the intent. Las Vegas convention center continues to be the perfect venue for what still proves to be something I will not want to miss for years to come.
We all spend a lot of time using the things we are dedicated to, when we venture into the outdoors. We all think of how the things we use can be improved and changed, as we use them, and most of us only dream of someone thinking of the same idea so we can continue to be successful. Well, this year we will see some of these ideas coming to the shelves. Just when we can’t understand how a product that has been around for so long can be improved, it is. These manufacturers and companies have their “think tankers” working for us all year. When the ICAST comes around, we see how hard they have worked for us. They truly are searching for ways to make our days in the wild more successful and productive. Almost everything I saw was “new and improved” in some way or another. Every booth I saw was more than willing to expose and demonstrate what they have to offer us. Some even let me take their product home and try it out for myself, in hopes to get the word out. It worked. I couldn’t wait to get the word out, about a few that I saw as, truly demanding of our attention.
I had three days of shopping, basically, and could not believe how something as simple as a tackle box, could be improved and made easier to use. Boy was I surprised! This year’s show proved to be a show alright. There were companies that were steering their services and products into the new aged electronic capabilities, and setting us up for a much more productive and easier way to see what the future holds for all of us. I was truly impressed with how real people, with real lives, were behind the scenes getting ready for the coming season. Only to get their new products into play and let us, as everyday people, be the best we can be. I would suggest to all, if you think we have hit the end of an era with some products we use, think again. I saw the best of the best, get better. Hands down, one of the best show cases I have ever seen in the fishing industry. Just as we think to ourselves we couldn’t possibly see anything new, along comes the ICAST. I would suggest we all pay close attention to the shelves this coming season and look at what we see. I saw, and talked to some of the biggest names in the business about some of these things and they all put their stamp of approval on what we talked about. Not because they got paid for it, but because they work! If they did not believe in a product, they would not endorse them. This made me want to see everything I could as soon as possible.
As I think back on my time at the ICAST, I can only smile at what we all have in store for us. I implore you all to continue to be responisible and stewards of our waters and always remember that these services and products are working for us. They are average people, with average lives, have families and, they enjoy doing the same things we enjoy. They use the same things we use to get the job done too. They have children that have the same needs ours have. They take those kids to the outdoors and teach them to be ethical and conserve what this good earth has given us for millions of years. I can’t wait to see these products of hard work and deep thought hit the market this coming year. Keep your eyes peeled and watch for best of the best. It’s definitely on the way.
Captain Craig Mann
www.westernstatessportsman.com
Dave Langston is an outdoor writer for Fishing & Hunting News, Idaho State Journal, Game and Fish, Sports Illustrated, and more, and provides fishing and hunting seminars throughout Idaho. Western States Sportsman also covers all the major outdoor trade shows in America, including ICAST, SHOT Show, ISE, and more.
