We are here in Las Vegas, Nevada where fishing manufacturers, retailers, writers, and organizations from around the world are here for the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) 2010. The temperature is a scorching 110°F outside, but inside the cool Las Vegas Convention Center excitement abounds. We saw some of our favorite green fishing products proudly displayed by several manufacturers and some new green gear as well. Best of all, there is a buzz growing within the industry about the demand for environmentally and socially responsible fishing.
Below are some notable products and comments from the show...
Biodegradable Fishing Line
One of the things I was most excited about was Eagle Claw's launch of the new and improved Bioline 100% Biodegradable Fishing Line. We've been selling this biodegradable fishing line as long as we've been in business, and I've personally been using Bioline for trout, salmon, and steelhead fishing here in the Northwest for just a long. As many of you know, we have run out of stock on many of the popular sizes of Bioline. Here is why... Eagle Claw has taken this successful product back into development in order obtain a line diameter more consistent with industry standards, lower the price point, and ensure the break strength falls within IGFA regulations. And now they have launched this new Bioline fishing line here at ICAST 2010.
With Eagle Claw's world-wide distribution and trusted reputation, we hope to see this biodegradable fishing line in every tackle shop across the country. Unlike monofilament and fluorocarbon fishing line which can stay in the environment for hundreds of years, Bioline will biodegrade within 5 years. As an added incentive for those skeptics out there, Eagle Claw is including a replacement guarantee. We'll be writing more about this new product on our Bioline product page when we get this in stock (we're working on that now) so check back soon!
Along with Bioline Biodegradable Fishing Line, Eagle Claw is doing some really good things. With their "Fish Green" initiative, Eagle Claw is using biodegradable and recyclable packaging in several of their product lines and have added lead free sinkers, circle hooks, barbless hooks, and tools for safe catch & release fishing.
Recycled Fish
We had a chance to talk with the very busy Recycled Fish, one of our favorite non-profit organizations and good friends to Green Tackle, as they were working hard to promote "anglers living a Lifestyle of Stewardship both on and off the water, because Our Lifestyle Runs Downstream". Recycled Fish is on the ground around the country talking with everyone in the fishing community about catch & release, conservation, and a lifestyle of stewardship.
Recycled Fish's S.A.F.E. (Sustaining Angling, Fish, and Ecosystems) Angling program includes recommended products, many of which we carry here at Green Tackle, that reduce the negative impacts on our fisheries that some conventional fishing tackle has. For those who are unfamiliar with these types of products, the popular S.A.F.E. Angling Kits are ready-to-fish kits designed by Recycled Fish and they help support the great work being done by Recycled Fish.
If you have not already done so, you should check out the Recycled Fish website and donate to their cause.
GreenFish
We were pleasantly surprised to learn about GreenFish, the first lifestyle brand established with the sole purpose of spreading the message of sustainable fishing. We didn't get a chance for a face-to-face, but look forward to talking with them next week to learn more about their passion for catch & release fishing and fisheries conservation.
Lead Free and Biodegradable Lures
When we passed by the Panther Martin booth, I noticed they had a good number of items from the line of 100% lead free spinners. While these are not a new product this year, I was glad to see that their environmentallty friendly fishing tackle is being put into the spotlight. I love these spinners. I use the Big Belly Salmon Spinners for Winter Steelhead in the Wilson River and the Lead Free Lure Kit for trout in the mountain lakes.
At the Rapala/VMC booth we got a good look at the newer Trigger X line of biodegradable and phthalate-free lures. The newer generation of Trigger X baits are either biodegradable or simply phthalate-free, depending on how and where they are used. The Trigger X Agression are used in situations in which the lure is frequently lifted in and out of the water, the lures are only phthalate free since the biodegradable versions will dry out when left out of the water for too long. The Trigger X Saltwater and Trigger X Walleye lures are used in applications in which the lure is likely to stay in the water for the duration of it's use and are biodegradable and phthalate free.
We still have inventory of the first generation of biodegradable lures from Trigger X and they are all on sale for as much as 50% off retail price. Shop Trigger X Lures now.
Compostable Bait Cup
EarthSmart, a company making compostable products for the food industry, showed us their new compostable bait cups. Derived from the annually renewable Bagasse (sugar cane), their bait cups and lids are 100% tree free, 100% petroleum free, and hold up to the ASTM standards for compostability. Their design has been tested to hold up to the abuse that we often put our live bait cups through in the field.
'Yak Fish
When we asked a passer-by to snap a photo of us at the entrance to the show, that person just so happened to be Isaac (better known as The_Nothing on Twitter) of 'Yak Fish - A Kayak Fishing Weblog and fellow Portland, OR resident. An avid kayak fisherman and a strong supporter of what we're doing, Isaac pointed us in the direction of some interesting new gear and inspired me to get into a kayak for what could only be an amazing fishing experience.
