February 3, 2010 - Alexandria, VA – In 2009 more anglers got out of the house and out on the water as fishing license sales rose by 4.7 percent in states that participate in the fishing license sales index released by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas, four of the 12 participating states, are among the top ten states in terms of the impact anglers have on the nation’s economy.

The 12-state index represents recreational fishing in the United States. Eight of those states recorded higher license sales increases from January through December of 2009 over the previous year, according to Southwick Associates, a research firm that monitored the license sales information.

“Although the RBFF/ASA Fishing License Sales Index is a strong indicator of fishing license sales, it isn’t an exact measure of all fishing license sales nationally. However, should the 4.7 percent rise hold true nationwide, it would represent one of the largest percentage increases in fishing license sales in over 30 years,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman.

“We feel confident that our national Take Me Fishing™ direct mail marketing program and other efforts designed to reach lapsed anglers contributed to the 2009 rise in fishing license sales,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson.

According to Southwick Associates, fishing license sales increased at a faster rate in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter. Increases of 20 percent or more were common in the first quarter. However, a larger volume of sales occurred in the second quarter – the peak period for license sales nationally – and had the greatest effect on 2009 sales. In general, more fishing licenses are sold during the second quarter (April, May, June) than any other time of the year. Although the growth rate for license sales eased slightly in the latter half of the year, sales were still up for a majority of states in the index.

State natural resource agencies reporting license sales numbers in 2009 include Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Utah. They were selected on their ability to provide consistent license sales data to illustrate both a national and regional perspective. As more states expand their data reporting capacity, the number of reporting states will increase. For participating coastal states, adjustments were made to account for new federal saltwater license requirements that went into effect in 2009.

“The typical angler spends $176 a year on just fishing tackle alone and contributes over $40 annually to conservation via license dollars and excise taxes. When the license sales index moves by just a tenth of a point, 40,000 anglers have entered or quit sportfishing. Even a small uptick in the index represents big changes in recreational fishing participation,” said Nussman.

“While more people fishing is good news, what’s key to growing the sport is keeping them coming back every year and introducing newcomers at the same time. RBFF’s Take Me Fishing Web site, our education outreach and other integrated marketing efforts will continue to work to accomplish this goal,” said Peterson.

Ultimately, anglers, and other sportsmen and women, are the most significant funding source for conservation in the United States. Through the purchase of fishing licenses and special excise taxes on gear and motorboat fuel, hundreds of millions of anglers’ dollars each year are collected or funneled to states for conservation and recreation. In 2008, $720 million of these excise taxes were distributed for fisheries management and recreational boating enhancement. In addition, fishing license sales generated $600 million in revenue for state fish and wildlife agencies.

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About the American Sportfishing Association

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also represents the interests of America’s 60 million anglers who generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.

About the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF helps people discover, share and protect the legacy of boating and fishing through national outreach programs including the Take Me Fishing™ campaign and Anglers’ Legacy™.

About Southwick Associates

Southwick Associates, located in Fernandina Beach, Fla., specializes in fish and wildlife economics and related business statistics.

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ASA Communications
American Sportfishing Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 519-9691 ex. 222
asacomm@asafishing.org

“Today’s young hikers, campers, climbers and paddlers are tomorrow’s adult outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists, but sadly fewer and fewer youth are heading outdoors each year,” said Christine Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation. “The United States is now facing an unprecedented public health and conservation problem. Reconnecting youth with the outdoors has become critical to the health of future generations and the health of our natural landscapes.”

With the vital new information detailed within the Special Report on Youth, The Outdoor Foundation seeks to provide youth organizations, public agencies, businesses and non-profits with insights needed to get youth outside. The report dives deep into youth participation in outdoor activities—from detailing the demographics and geography of youth outdoor participation to reporting the youth participation rate and median age of over 30 different outdoor activities.

The Special Report on Youth is based on extended analysis of data collected for the foundation’s Outdoor Recreation Participation Report, produced annually by The Outdoor Foundation. The report draws on the responses of over 40,000 Americans ages 6 and older captured in an online survey covering 114 different activities. The survey is the largest of its type examining participation in sports and outdoor activities.

A few of the key findings in this report include:

Total Participation — Nearly 60 percent of American youth ages 6–24 participate in outdoor recreation. In recent years, participation has fallen each year.

Frequency of Participation — American youth made an estimated 4.26 billion outdoor excursions in 2008.

Gender Disparities — Males of all ages participate at a higher rate than females. Fifty-six percent of youth outdoor participants ages 6–24 are male.

Ethnic Participation — Minority populations are underrepresented in outdoor recreation. Seventy-nine percent of youth outdoor participants are Caucasian.

Top Activities — Running, bicycling, fishing, camping and hiking are the most popular outdoor activities among youth.

Youngest Activities — Skateboarding, BMX bicycling, snowboarding, climbing and triathlon have the highest percentage of youth participants and lowest percentage of adults.

Motivations — Parents, friends and family introduce the most youth to the outdoors. Most youth enjoy the fun, relaxation and exercise of outdoor activities most.

Barriers — A lack of interest and a lack of time are the top barriers keeping youth non-participants in outdoor recreation indoors.

Adults with Children in Their Household — Adults 18 and older with children, s 1–17, in their household participate in outdoor recreation at higher levels than adults without children in their household.

To download a copy of the Special Report on Youth and other recent research reports from The Outdoor Foundation, visit www.outdoorfoundation.org/research.

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About The Outdoor Foundation

The Outdoor Foundation® is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through ground-breaking research, action-oriented convening and outreach and education programs, The Foundation is working with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. For more information visit www.outdoorfoundation.org.

®The Outdoor Foundation is a registered trademark of The Outdoor Foundation.

John Randolph, editor and publisher for more than 25 years, officially retired in Feb. 2008. He will continue as a freelance writer, penning his “Riffles & Runs” column each issue, and keeping readers apprised of important environmental issues, and the people who are working to make the sport better.

Ross Purnell, who has been on the FLY FISHERMAN staff since 1996, and editor since 2008, will continue to work with the writers and photographers who have made FLY FISHERMAN the industry standard for more than 40 years. Ben Hoffman, advertising manager, will assume responsibility for all advertising sales.

“We have the staff in place to move FLY FISHERMAN into the next decade,” said Publisher Steve Hoffman, who is also V.P./Group Publisher of InterMedia Outdoors Fishing. “FLY FISHERMAN has a unique position in this industry–not only is it the most widely read and authoritative source of fly-fishing information and entertainment in print; we also have an influential Fly Fisherman TV show and flyfisherman.com website to complement it.”

FLY FISHERMAN is the largest paid-circulation fly fishing magazine in North America and is the only ABC audited fresh- and saltwater fly-fishing magazine in the business, with a paid circulation of more than 100,000 and estimated total readership of 160,000 +.

FLY FISHERMAN recently expanded the print side of its business to include two special newsstand-only issues to support and grow the fly-fishing industry as a whole. Fly Fishing Made Easy [coming spring 2010] and Gear Guide 2010 [on sale now], both focusing on boosting fly-fishing participation and overall tackle sales.

About Fly Fisherman

Since 1967, Fly Fisherman has been the leading source of fly-fishing information teaching fly fishers how to get more enjoyment from their sport; how to conserve, protect, and enhance their local streams and waterways; and where to find the best fishing both locally and around the world. Fly Fisherman also produces two annuals; Gear Guide and Fly Fishing Made Easy, plus instructional fly fishing DVDs. Fly Fisherman Television airs April through September on Sportsman Channel and Wild TV. The Fly Fisherman website can be found at www.flyfisherman.com.

About InterMedia Outdoors

InterMedia Outdoors, Inc. is the largest media company in the outdoor-enthusiast category, exclusively serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts, with the largest network of websites dedicated to hunting, shooting and fishing; a portfolio of 15 magazines including powerful brands such as Petersen’s Hunting, North American Whitetail, Guns&Ammo, In-Fisherman, Fly Fisherman, and Florida Sportsman; syndicated radio programming; 23 market-leading television productions, the largest library of outdoors television programming, and Sportsman Channel, the only television network dedicated exclusively to hunting, shooting and fishing.

Contact: Patty Harrison, In-Fisherman, 218-824-2538, patty.harrison@imoutdoors.com

]]> http://www.anglingtrade.com/2010/01/28/trout-unlimited-announces-succession-plan/feed/ http://www.anglingtrade.com/2010/01/19/help-for-haiti-nautilus-reels-donating-100-of-profits-from-reels/ http://www.anglingtrade.com/2010/01/19/help-for-haiti-nautilus-reels-donating-100-of-profits-from-reels/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:41:38 +0000 admin http://www.anglingtrade.com/?p=208 1.19.2010

Nautilus Reels is listing 10 Nautilus fly reels, New In Box, and we are donating 100% of proceeds to UNICEF and the Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts in Haiti. Please bid generously. Reserve price is set at MSRP, so again, give what you can.

When winning this auction, please call us at 888.397.7335 and we will arrange shipping free of charge and we will also customize the reel to your liking. Any laser engravings: fish, names, backing lines, dial drag numbers, logos, etc. Just ask us and we will do our best to please you and make this the reel of a lifetime, and a donation that counts.

The average household income in Haiti is less than $600 per year! Your donation will make a big difference. Please give. A lot! We will absorb all listing fees and ebay fees. 100% of what we receive from you will be given to charity.

Thank you for your donation,

Kristen Mustad, President, Owner, Nautilus Reels, Miami USA.

For more information on the reels, call me and I will personally take your call.

Contact Info:

Kristen Mustad
Nautilus Reels
1549 NW 165th St
Miami, FL 33169
USA
P. 305.625.3437
F. 305.625.3427
www.nautilusreels.com

“We are excited to partner with Backbone because of their proven ability in PR and compelling approach to social media,” comments David Visnack, Director of Marketing for Far Bank. “Backbone will bring a new energy and focus to our messaging goals while speaking to our core consumers with complete authenticity.”

In 2005, Far Bank Enterprises was created to serve as the holding company for three businesses at the forefront of the fly fishing market; Sage Manufacturing, Redington and RIO Products International. Sage is recognized as the world leader in high-end performance fly rods, reels and accessories. Redington is a leading supplier of value-driven fishing tackle and apparel. RIO manufactures and distributes industry leading fly lines, leaders and tippet material.

“Our team is honored to be chosen by such prestigious brands in the fishing industry, says Nate Simmons, Backbone Media partner. “Sage, Redington and RIO are brands with strong reputations and pinnacle products, so we look forward to further developing each brands’ unique story.”

Backbone Media is a full service public relations firm with its roots in the outdoor industry. Backbone specializes in PR, product placement, social media, media buying, joint marketing and marketing consulting. For more information visit www.backbonemedia.net.

The group’s trade show had been organized for years by a third-party company that specialized in such events.

The trade group ended its affiliation with this trade show organizer, amid considerable concern and criticism.

Many manufacturers urged the group to integrate its trade show with a larger, well-established event.

Instead, the trade group coordinated its own expo in a city that was centrally located among a high concentration of manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in this sport.

As a result, the group doubled its trade show revenue, which it now uses to promote the sport as a whole.

Fly fishing? No… Archery.

But the Archery Trade Association took several bold steps to make that happen……specifically coordinating support among manufacturers, and creating solid financial incentives to attract retailers.

Angling Trade is on this story, and we’ll tell you how it happened. We will also continue to be the unfiltered source for reporting on the fly tackle industry as it wrestles with its own identity and plans for a trade event in 2010.
By announcing plans for the International Fly Tackle Dealer show, AFFTA has, in effect, gone “all in.” The next few months will see a mandate on the trade organization itself, and to a broader degree, a mandate on the relevance of the specialty fly retailer in the eyes of many manufacturers.

Now, more than ever, is the time to tune into these issues. Angling Trade is a great place to do just that. We’re gearing up for our most provocative issue yet–the March “Media” Issue will include editorial commentary and case histories from expert sources, not only on the topic of trade shows, but also on the evolving media paradigm. Please take a few minutes to consider supporting this forum, and contact us with your input.

Best regards,

Kirk Deeter and Tim Romano

Nervous Water Apps introduces the next generation of iPhone / iPod touch Fishing Applications titled “FishHead”

FishHead is the ultimate on the water and planning fishing application.

Track Weather, Stream Flows, Tides and Lunar tables all from the palm of your hand.  FishHead organizes the information by location so that you see all of the pertinent fishing data to make on the water decisions.   It’s also equally effective at your home or at work.  Track the flows of your favorite stream.  Plan your trip around the best tides and look at the latest weather forecasts.  This app is designed for both the fresh water and saltwater United States anglers in mind.

The App has an advanced search engine which allows you to track your current location with the GPS chip in the iPhone or iPod touch; it will tell you the closest streams or tide stations.  Once your tide or river station has been selected it will align that information with the nearest weather station.  In your favorites view you can now view weather, tide or river flows and the lunar table.  If a weather station is down or providing inaccurate data it will automatically find the nearest station that is providing accurate data.  You can also search by current location, station name, city or zip code.

The favorites view gives you a snap shot of all of the pertinent weather, tide/river and lunar information all displayed on one view.  Each of the different categories can be viewed in greater detail by clicking the detail view which will now give you tide and river graphs and forecasts for weather and future and past tides events.  Turn the phone for a horizontal view and the graph appears showing either the tide chart or river chart. You can hold up to 20 of your favorite tide stations and 20 of your favorite river locations.  Like many other iPhone Apps you can swipe from one favorite to the next.

While there are many other Apps that have weather, tides, and river flows.  There is nothing out there that compiles ALL of the relevant fishing information and organizes it for quick and easy detailed info.

Fish Head is now available on the iTunes Apps store at the introductory rate of $6.99.

You can learn more at www.fishheadapp.com

For more information you can contact:
John Sherman
Sales Director
Nervous Water Apps
2587 Cherry Hill Drive
Discovery Bay, CA 94505
Office: 925-513-3846
Cell: 530-412-2528
john@nervouswaterapps.com

BOULDER, CO, January 13, 2010 - Following the earthquakes and tsunamis in Southeast Asia and the attacks on 9/11, the members of Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) responded with an amazing demonstration of support and provided critical supplies for emergency disaster relief.

Outdoor Industry Association, working with AmeriCares (http://www.americares.org/), is once again calling on members to dig deep to support those areas devastated by earthquakes in Haiti.

AmeriCares has disaster workers on scene and is planning immediate relief flights from their HQ in Connecticut. Their immediate product needs are:

Due to the amazing response from the nation, AmeriCares is having trouble replying to everyone in a timely manner, but they will respond.

OIA will continue to publish updated equipment needs throughout the relief effort and is working with the Department of Commerce to explore opportunities to supply outdoor companies incentives to help rebuild Haiti through preferred sourcing and manufacturing programs.

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About Outdoor Industry Association

Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) is a national trade association whose mission is to ensure the growth and success of the outdoor industry. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. OIA programs include representation in government/legislative affairs, market and social research, business-to-business services and youth outreach initiatives. Educational events include the annual Rendezvous®, Outdoor University®, and the Capitol Summit. Outdoor Industry Association is based in Boulder, Colorado, and is the title sponsor of the Outdoor Retailer trade shows. For more information go to www.outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.

Media contact

Karen Boe, Media Relations,

Outdoor Industry Association

Office: 801.484.8971, Cell: 801.230.5404

Email: kboe@outdoorindustry.org

January 11, 2010

To the members of the fly fishing trade community,

With 2009 fading into memory and only a few short months before the start of the traditional US trout fishing season I am writing to urge all participants in the fly fishing industry to support the new International Fly Tackle Dealer Show (IFTD) this coming September in Denver. Far Bank Enterprises and our businesses – Sage, Redington and RIO – will be there and between now and then we look forward to the opportunity to help craft a show that works for all stakeholders.

Since the news broke that Nielsen was no longer going to host FFR there has been considerable… conversation and speculation about what to do about shows both within and outside our organization. By my count there have been four different shows (IFTD, OR, ICAST and FITS) recently competing to attract our little industry and in my view these competing shows will only further fracture an already wounded industry if we don’t find some way to all coalesce around a single show. For our businesses the decision to support the IFTD show became straightforward once AFFTA and its board were able to present a well thought out plan. For full disclosure I was an AFFTA board member until this last September when I could no longer serve because of term limits rules. I remain a strong supporter of our trade association and the dedicated board members that volunteer their time and I remain convinced that for us to consider ourselves an industry we must have both a strong trade association and a strong trade show. With the fate of both these entities now intertwined, supporting the IFTD became imperative for our organization and I would argue for our industry.

As part of the debate around the various shows, I think I’ve heard most of, if not all, the reasons for not supporting an industry trade show: the show is at the wrong time, not enough retailers come, not enough manufacturers come, my reps do a great job and thus the show is irrelevant, it’s too expensive, it’s the heart of our season, I don’t like Denver, and on and on. I won’t try to contest all these arguments in this letter. Rather, I’d like to give you my pitch for why I think everyone should support the show: It is the only venue in the world where the fly fishing trade gets to come together in one place and at one time to work toward improving an industry and a sport that for most of us provides both our livelihoods and our lifestyles. I am convinced that without a strong show our industry stands little chance of effectively competing against the macro forces working against our businesses - things like kids not being exposed to the outdoors, the closing of public access to fishable waters, and aquatic nuisance species to name just a few.

For retailers the show is the best opportunity available to interact with the people that make the goods you sell. It is also an opportunity to get fantastic educational opportunities from both national experts in retail and your peer retailers. For manufacturers, it is the chance to interact with a segment of your customer base that is making a very visible commitment to improving their businesses. It is also the opportunity to see firsthand the products and people that will be driving the market in the coming years. If 2009 proved anything to me it is that we all have to get better at business if we are going to thrive again as an industry. The show provides a unique venue for adding your voice to the shared objective of improving our industry, our resources, and ultimately our businesses if we execute it correctly.

As one shop, or one manufacturer, or one sales rep, you may feel your attendance at the show is inconsequential to the show’s success. It is not. There is strength in numbers — higher attendance one year leads to higher attendance the next and the energy builds on itself. I urge you to make the decision this year to start building back the strength of our industry and support the trade show with your attendance and your ideas. The Far Bank businesses are committed to the fly fishing industry for the long term and we hope to see you at the show this fall in Denver.

Travis Campbell
President & CEO