FEATURE | ASA
34 www.tackletradeworld.com
Great Fly Fishing
Today’s fl y angler is a world traveller pursuing his or her sport everywhere, from tiny spring
creeks to tidal fl ats and to the deep sea. That’s just one of many reasons for fl y tackle
retailers to att end ICAST, the largest, most international of all sportfishing trade shows.
Now is the time to make plans
to attend ICAST 2019, set to
take place from July 9th to 12th
next year at the Orange County
Convention Centre in Orlando, Florida.
As always, along with all recreational
fi shing gear, tackle and accessories,
ICAST will again host a broad spectrum
of fl y fi shing tackle, accessories and
apparel from leading brands.
The American
Sportfi shing Association
(ASA) vice president
of Trade Show and
Membership, Blake
Swango, said, “From the
very beginning fl y fi shing
has been a big part of
ICAST and it will remain
that way. Many of the
top names in our industry span both
fl y and conventional fi shing. Those
exhibitors typically bring their entire
product lines to ICAST, so it’s a unique
opportunity to see everything in a
single venue.”
Blake continued, “Just because the
fl y fi shing trade show isn’t co-locating
with us this year doesn’t mean the
fl y tackle manufacturers won’t be
here. There is nowhere on the globe
that offers a one-stop experience for
everything in recreational fi shing
except ICAST.”
ICAST means new products, new
connections and new business
possibilities for everyone who attends.
The show’s growing global stature
can be especially benefi cial to the
fl y-focused retailer. ICAST 2018 drew
more than 15,000 individuals from
71 countries. ICAST 2019 will again
offer retailers a chance to experience
a variety of product lines from around
the world, and to network with their
peers from other countries.
ICAST means new products, new connections
and new business possibilities for everyone who
attends. The show’s growing global stature can
be especially benefi cial to the fl y-focused retailer
In addition to tackle, retailers can
see and purchase all the essentials
for stocking a well-rounded fl y shop
that has broad customer appeal.
Apparel – including performance
clothing designed for the fl y angler – is
the fastest growing product category
at ICAST. The top manufacturers of
sunglasses, waders, rain gear and more
will also be exhibiting.
“It’s one-stop shopping,” said Blake.
“Both well-known brands and new
entrants will have the latest in fl y
tackle for both fresh and saltwater.
Beyond that, ICAST lets retailers
see fi rst-hand the opportunities for
business expansion into product lines
beyond their fl y-fi shing core.”
There’s more to ICAST than just the
exhibitors, though. The very popular
casting pool will be on the show fl oor,
where attendees can test the latest
rods, reels and lines. It’s a chance to
get a feel for and compare innovative
technologies and rods at different
price-points.
Innovation in fl y tackle
and accessories will once
again be recognised in
the popular ICAST New
Product Showcase. The
showcase rewards the
sportfi shing industry’s
ingenuity through the
new product awards
competition.
Many retailers are also in the
market for boating accessories, like
those featured in the ICAST Marine
Accessories Pavilion. Presented by
the National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA), the pavilion
showcases everything from electronics
to propellers.
Attendee registration opens in
February 2019 at www.ICASTfi shing.org
/www.tackletradeworld.com
/www.ICASTfi
/shing.org
