angling international - october 2011 - 45

NEW ACCESSORYDEAL FOR RAPALA

Tom Mackininterviewed p8

Essential reading for buyers in the tackle trade

October 2011 Issue 45

om Mackinnterviewed p8

Now online at angling-international.com

MORENEWS AND

VIDEO ONLINE

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w.aannggggggggggling-NOWMAILED TO

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AROUND THE

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Essential reading for buyers in the tackle trade

October 2011 Issue 45

Online at angling-international.com

NOWMAILED TO

12,000+BUSINESSES

AROUND THE

WORLD

GLOBALNEWS

Special report from the RBFF p14

PROLOGICSIGNALS‘MASSIVE’EXPANSION

COMMUNIQUÉ continued on page 8 >

Europe. Prologic is anestablished brand andit is eager to reposi-tion itself to reflectthe popularity of thesector.

“Enrico Parmeggianiis one of the top namesin carp fishing and hewill be responsible forpushing the brand andleading the development of new products. He is very busymaking a new range of rigs for boilies as well as developingnew bite alarms and more carp rods that will be unveiled inthe next 12 months.”

The company has begun its blitz with a formidable arrayof new products, led by a completely new range of carprods – the C1, C2 and C3. They are said to be designedfor everyone from the beginner to the carp expert and havebeen made for ‘anglers who take their sport seriously’.

These are being heavily backed by additions to Prologic’spopular New Green accessories and feature a whole host ofnew products, including bivvies, bedchairs, sleeping bags,rucksacks and tables.

Clothing also features highly in the line-up of new of-ferings with caps, gloves and T-shirts being introducedalongside the more traditional clothing like waders, jacketsand suits. The new Prologic catalogue is now available andfeatures all the company’s exciting new product launches.

Prologic has recruited world renowned carp anglerEnrico Parmeggiani to spearhead the company’sall-out assault on the booming carp fishing sector.The Svendsen Sport brand has announced that itintends to launch what a spokesman for the com-

pany describes as a ‘massive’ and ‘wholehearted’ expansionof its carp offering with araft of new products forthe year ahead.

Parmeggiani (left), whohas previously worked forSensas and Trabucco, isin charge of developingand perfecting an‘extremely’ competitive

and ambitious range of carp fishing gear under the Prologicbrand. He will be working alongside the existing Prologicteam of consultants that consists of world-class carp fishermenfrom across Europe and includes Denis Curot, Bastian Reetz,Hauke Kleinen, Julien Deconne, Richard Johnson, RichardChapman, Willy Baccolini and Mathiu Faurisson.

Carp fishing is generally acknowledged as the mostpopular and fastest growing sector in coarse fishing – a factrecognised by the likes of Pure Fishing and Rapala, who haveboth declared an interest and their intentions of makingfurther inroads into the sector in the coming year.

A spokesman for Svendsen Sport said: “Carp fishingis on the rise again in Denmark and has a strong hold in

Brazilian trade show continueson upward curve See page 20

Svendsen Sport brand has recruited carpangler Enrico Parmeggiani to spearhead thedevelopment of ambitious new product range.

EXCLUSIVEThe state of anglingin the USA

EXCLUSIVEShimano’snewreelsRestyled Baitrunner LC leads aformidable line-up of launchesfor 2012 p18

IFTD survives NewOrleans gambleSpecial report on the first showaway from Denver p24

Rod manufacturercelebrates hugeEFTTEX dealsWhy Pacific Wave is set totransform its business inFrance and Spain p44

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Angling International October 20116

MAGAZINE CREDITS

OCTOBER 2011

Two companies in our electronics feature thismonth have taken advantage of a new freeservice offered to our advertisers. Flajzar andSema from the Czech Republic are among thefirst businesses to have demonstration videos

of their products featured on our fast-growing website.Check out the footage from Flajzar – excusing the mildexpletive – as the company demonstrates the durabilityof its latest product in a novel way; and watch Sema’spresentation of its groundbreaking Rollo bite alarm.

Videos are a unique way for manufacturers to bringtheir products to life. And adding a video section to theAngling International website is a natural extension of ourgrowing service to our readers and advertisers.

The Angling International website is updated daily tobring you all the latest product news when it happens. Itis unrivalled within the industry and is establishing itselfas a ‘must-visit’ site for anyone looking to keep abreast ofthe latest developments in the fishing tackle trade. Makesure your network of disributors and retailers are visitingeach day.

Meanwhile, our front page story this month highlightsthe continuing growth of the carp market and how themajor manufacturers are all vying for a slice of what hasbecome one of the fastest growing and most lucrativesectors in recreational fishing.

It is a sector that will be under the spotlight in theNovember issue of Angling International when we will bepresenting our Carp Special.

As well as taking a look at what makes the sector tick,we will also be featuring the major players in the marketand the latest products they have to offer.

And, following the example of Flajzar and Sema, weare extending an invitation to carp manufacturers to takeadvantage of our new online video service to get that littleextra live-action coverage of their products to information-mad fishing tackle retailers and wholesalers. We lookforward to hearing from you.

Mel [email protected]

• Publishing editor: Mel Bagnall; [email protected] +44 (0)1733 392 977 • Assistant Editor: Anthony Hawkswell; [email protected]• Editorial director: Rob Carter; [email protected] • Art Director: Keely Docherty-Lee; [email protected]• Designer: Kate Holt • Database Manager: Graham Goor; [email protected]• Subscription enquiries: [email protected] • Colour reproduction: AT Graphics UK Ltd, Peterborough

Angling International magazine is published by Top Corner Editorial and Design Limited. 4 Milnyard Square, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough Cambridgeshire,United Kingdom, PE2 6GX • International Commercial Director: Lucie Henton; [email protected]; Tel. +44 7825 999230; Skype. lpetrickova• U.S. National Sales Manager: Stuart Pavlik; [email protected]; Tel. 561-627-2520 direct; Skype. stuart.pavlik

•THANKS THIS ISSUE GO TO: Fernando Baracho Martinelli, Michael Cassidy, Clem Dippel, John Gromberg, Nathan Gromit, Beatriz Lopez, Tom Mackin, Jan Mertens, Sir Robin Miller, Mike Phillips,Andrej Popovic, Frederico Prato, Monica Sanchez, Patrick Sebile and Tony Wallace-Conte.●Nopartofthismagazinemaybereproducedwithoutthepermissionofthepublisher.Themagazineassumesnoresponsibilityforthesafetyofcontributions,althoughallreasonablecarewillbetaken.

Benvenuto,BienvenidaBienvenue,Willkommen

Meet the makers of Angling International...

ROB CARTER, EDITORIAL DIRECTORRob began his career writing for and editing specialistconsumer magazines in the UK (including Match foot-ball magazine, Fore! golf magazine and Trout Fisher-man) before being appointed editor-in-chief of Emap’scontractpublishingdepartment.He is a founder director ofTop Corner, the publishers of Angling International.

KEELY DOCHERTY-LEE, ART DIRECTORAs Top Corner’s art director and co-founder, Keely has16 years’ design experience, and a proven record ofproducing successful ad campaigns, brochures anddirect mail. She has worked with many angling clientsand today leads the design team on Angling Interna-tional, managing the editorial production of each issue.

LUCIE HENTON,INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL DIRECTORLucie can call upon 11 years’ experience of deliver-ing commercial solutions for angling clients. Czech-born, she is also familiar with other eastern Europeanlanguages. Call her to discuss your advertising andmarketing needs.

MEL BAGNALL, PUBLISHING EDITORMel’s vast experience in the angling industry includessix years as the publisher of UK company Emap’sangling business. He began his career on AnglingTimes where he was reporter, feature writer, subeditor and news editor. He has worked in magazines formore than 39 years.

ANTHONY HAWKSWELL, ASSISTANT EDITORAnthony is an experienced news editor with a strongbackground in angling journalism, having worked asNews Editor on the UK’s leading angling weekly news-paper, Angling Times. His background also includestime spent editing a national business-to-businesstitle in the UK.

STUART PAVLIK, US NATIONAL SALES MANAGERStuart is based in North Palm Beach, Florida where hemanages the accounts of Angling International’s USand Canadian clients. An avid fisherman with advertis-ing experience gained at Florida Sportsman, Stuart hasa strong understanding of worldwide fishing from histenure at IGFA and from extensive travel.

8

I N S I G H T • A N A L Y S I S • T R A D E N E W S

COMMUNIQUÉ


HOT DEAL FOR RAPALARapala USA has signed a manufac-

turing and distribution partner-ship for what its President, TomMackin, describes as the ‘hottest

fishing accessory going’.The lure giant has entered into an agree-

ment with Goldleaf Plastics to market anddistribute a range of fish filleting boards andcutting accessories previously sold throughits AP Outdoors brand.

Under the deal, Goldleaf Plastics will makea range of products that will be soldexclusively under the Rapala brand.

Mackin told Angling International:“Lightweight plastic fish cleaning stationsand boards are the hottest accessory goingin the US market today.

“They are much more sanitary than theold wooden boards and are virtually perfectfor every fishery in the world. Our USsalesforce and customers are excited by thisdevelopment – as are the guys across theglobe. I have spoken to people in Australia,Russia, Scandinavia and Europe and they allshare the same enthusiasm.

“Rapala is already the market leader in ‘all

things fillet’. Our alliance with GoldleafPlastics will take our position to an evenhigher level. We will be able to bundleexisting knives, sharpeners, gloves, ‘how-to-fillet’ educational materials and tools withcutting boards and tables.”

Goldleaf Plastics President V. Joel Meyersaid: “Rapala is an industry leader and itsproducts are top of the line. We are thrilled tocombine our engineering and manufacturingstrengths with Rapala’s strong distributionnetwork to provide anglers with an industry-leading, all encompassing product offering.”

Mackin said he was happy to find anAmerican supplier from the same Minnesotastate as Rapala. He admitted: “We looked atAsia for these products but at the end of theday Goldleaf ticked all the boxes. It is good

to support US manufacturing and it willalso reduce our lead times from 120 days toaround 30.”

He added that Rapala is currently in theprocess of setting up a Foreign Trade Zonethat will give the company special Customsprocedures to facilitate export of the productsworldwide.

John Gromberg, Senior Manager atGoldleaf Plastics, said: “The initial productoffering under the Rapala brand includes anexclusive line of cleaning boards, fillet stations,rulers, rod-racks and multi-seats.

“Goldleaf Plastics and Rapala will workhand-in-hand together to provide fishermenwith the highest quality product. As a needdevelops we will work closely to design andengineer new products to meet those needs.”

Rapala USA President TomMackin: “Everyone is veryexcited by this move.”

The fourth Bonefish & Tarpon TrustInternational Symposium will be takingplace on November 11 and 12 at theIGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum,Dania Beach, Florida.

The unique event includes presenta-tions on the science behind the workof the Trust alongside seminars where

visitors will get the opportunity tomeet and learn from the legends of thesaltwater flats.

Organisers say that space is limited,but interested parties can registerby logging on to the website atwww.tarbone.org and then clickingon the 2011 BTT Symposium link.

Tarpon Trust SymposiumGoldleaf Plastics PresidentV. Joel Meyer is ‘thrilled’ atcombining the strengths ofthe two companies.

Zebco Europe has added a high-endrange of feeders to its product portfoliounder the Browning brand.

The German-based wholesaler andmanufacturer has added the rangeof Method Feeders that are manu-factured in the UK by Kobra. TheLeicester-based company makes onespecific design for each anglingdiscipline, alongside a number ofspecial long-distance models.

Zebco Europe Marketing ManagerFrerk Petersen said: “Browning hashad a strong position in the feedermarket for a long time so takingcharge of the Kobra distribution in allof Europe was only a logical step tostrengthen our own high quality range

with additional highly sought-afterspecial models.

“Due to the short delivery timewithin Europe, we are able to supplyimmediately and we have good stockquantities of all selected models.”

Petersen added: “Kobra Feeders aremanufactured from highest qualitycomponents, such as brass tubes orhollow elastics, which gives them thehigher price level. Experienced feederanglers demand high quality andattention to detail and are thereforewilling to pay a reasonable price forquality tackle.

“Our new Browning-Hybrid Feeders‘Made by Kobra’ offers attractive salesopportunities for the retail trade.”

Zebco Europe introduceshigh-end range of feeders


COMMUNIQUÉ

12 Angling International October 2011

China ‘stillbestforproduction’

One of China’sbiggest fishing tacklemanufacturers hasdefended its country’sposition in the world

market following stories of brandslooking elsewhere for production.

The Groupe Beaudoin Internationals.e.n.c. (Bisenc), a Canadian registeredcompany with its factories in Beijing,says that emerging countries such asIndia, Vietnam and Indonesia willnever be able to challenge China asthe best place to source product.

And referring to the warning fromglobal economist Michael Colopy ofincreasing challenges presented by thelikely change in China’s leadership(see Angling International September),Bisenc insists that China will longremain the preferred producerof sportfishing tackle.

The company, which says it hasclose to 400 customers, also arguesthat in the current economyconsumers are more motivated byprice than by brand names.

“Inside any country there are higherraw material costs and higher salaries.Seafreight, airfreight and insurancecharges are also going up everywhere,”said President Frank Beaudoin.

“But mainland China is still themost secure source of manufactur-ing. Brands must ask questions aboutplaces like Indonesia, the Philippines,Vietnam, Singapore, India and Taiwan.Is the government stable? Can youtrust the banks? Are you prepared topay in advance?

“And why are businesses in thesecountries building factories inside China?”

However, Mr Beaudoin urgedbrands to make surethey are working withGovernment-ownedChinese companies.

“US and worldwidecompanies workingwith Government-owned corporationsand factories inChina are 100%fully guaranteed forquality control pereach order and will

grow their businesses long-term.“Those customers who work with

non-licensed trading companies andindependent factories will not besuccessful.”

Mr Beaudoin dismissed Mr Colopy’ssuggestion that rising nationalism inChina could have a huge impact onthe US industry, saying that national-ism has always been present but thatbusiness principles had never beenaffected.

Bisenc was established in 1985 andaround 80% of its business is privatelabel products for export. SpokesmanFrank Diorio told Angling Internationalthat the number of independentfactories in China is diminishing becausethey do not have the necessaryfinancial backing, cannot guaranteeproduction, have little quality controland cannot provide insurance forbuyers and importers.

“Modern technology in government-owned factories is providing a betterexperience for buyers,” he added.

“US and worldwide companies havetwo choices. Go forward on a win-winbasis with these factories or moveoutside China, where they will agonizeover many issues.

“In today’s economic instabilityand turmoil, sportfishing companies,whether manufacturers, distributors orlarge chain stores, have no choice butto find the best long-term source ofsupply. That is where China comes in.

“Consumers have less and lessmoney to spend and they do not careabout brand names any more. Theywant to buy a quality product at thelowest price.”

Below: Michael Colopy’sassertions on China in

last month’s issue.

“SACRAA will represent all parties witha vested interest in the country’srecreational fishing industry.”

h

ide

assertions on China inlast month’s issue.lalalala

A new bodythat will workto safeguard theinterests of allparties involvedin recreationalfishing in SouthAfrica waslaunched atSAFTAD – thecountry’sannual tradeshow.

The South African ConsolidatedRecreational Angling Association(SACRAA) has been formed bymembers of SAFTAD to representall parties with a vested interest inthe recreational fishing industry,encompassing angling organisations,retailers, wholesalers and governmentbodies.

SAFTAD Chairman John Pledgerwill lead SACRAA until a meeting can

be held to elect a committee. SAFTADSecretary Mary-Ann Hodgskin willbe responsible for membershipapplications and administration ofthe new body.

Organisers of SAFTAD say that anational strike in South Africa, whichcaused severe petrol shortages, had anadverse effect on the attendance at theshow with a number of pre-registeredvisitors unable to attend.

Despite that, visitor numbers wereexactly the same as last year with 686representatives from 272 companiesmaking the trip to Johannesburg.

The number of retail storesrepresented (242) was 2% down on2010, but 11% up compared to 2009.More fishing specialist stores attended– 110 compared to 107 in 2010.

Major exhibitors included RapalaVMC SA, Kingfisher, SensationalAngling Supplies, Jarvis Walker,Apex Walker and Beyond Fishing.

John Pledger is the actinghead of new recreationalfishing body, SACRAA.

New representative bodyformed in South Africa


COMMUNIQUÉ

New participants are keepingangling afloat in US, says report


New participantsare beingattracted tofishing in theUSA but the

overall number of anglers isdeclining, according to thelatest report released by theRecreational Boating & FishingFoundation (RBFF) and theOutdoor Foundation.

The 2011 Special Reporton Fishing and Boating revealed that in 2010,3.36 million people took part in fishing for thefirst time – an increase of 2% since 2008.

“We are delighted to see the number of newcomersis increasing year on year,” said RBFF President andCEO, Frank Peterson. “The challenge lies in keepingpeople engaged in the sport. Eight million new orreturning anglers participated last year, but more thanten million dropped out. This is where we needongoing programmes that continue to engage them.”

The number of anglers fishing in 2010 was downfrom 48 million in 2009 to 45.4 million last year.There were 925 million fishing trips in 2010 withanglers spending on average 20.4 days year fishing.

The third annual report provides detailed informa-tion on boating and fishing participation by gender,age, ethnicity, income, education and geographicalregion. It was expanded in 2011 to look at the fishing‘churn’ rate – drop outs – alongside potential for newfishing participants and the use of technology.

Freshwater fishing dominates the angling disciplineswith 38.9 million people – 13.7% of the totalpopulation – taking part. Saltwater had 27 millionfewer participants.

Each freshwater angler spent on average 17.1 days

on the water and in all there were 663 million outings.Fly fishing is a male preserve, with men makingup 78.9% of the 5.5 million anglers taking part.

The average number of boat fishingoutings also declined slightly with thetotal number of days on the water goingdown from 705 million in 2009 to 676million last year. Participants spent anaverage of 13 days a year fishing.

Most boat anglers went with friends (67.1%)and most outings were taken in freshwater (61.7%).Bass boats were the most popular boat type at 21%.

One area where fishing numbers have been increasingis among the country’s Hispanic community with

3.4 million anglers fishing last year compared to2.1 million in 2007.

Females and youths make up the highestproportion of new participants, representing a goodlong-term growth target.

Youth fishing participation rates peak between theages of six to 12 years, but decrease during adolescence.

Peterson said: “While overall fishing participation isdown from 2009, we are encouraged at the newcomerstatistics and the growth among potential participants,including Hispanics, youth and women.”

Technology is a growing influence on recreationalfishing with more than half of anglers using acomputer to search for information about outdoorrecreation. More than 40% used mobile technologyor the internet to plan outdoor activities.

Geographically, the biggest concentration offishing is in the South East’s seven seaside stateswhere 18.4% of fishermen live.

Encouraged: RBFF Presidentand CEO Frank Peterson.

14

Overall numbers are declining, admits the RBFF, butthe rate is being slowed by newcomers taking up thesport, especially women, youngsters and Hispanics.

Left: The crossover between thedifferent types of fishing enjoyed inthe USA in 2010.Below: The number of annual outingsmade by anglers.


COMMUNIQUÉ

16

Tubeology goes Latin


T he relentless expansion of UK-based tubefishing specialist Tubeology continuesapace with new distribution deals inEurope and South America. Following asuccessful IFTD show in New Orleans,

the company has agreed a deal with Argentina’s larg-est fly fishing distributor, FP Distribution of Cordoba.

Meanwhile, a meeting at EFTTEX, in Amsterdam,has led to a link-up with Spanish distributor GarperFishing SL. The Valencia-based company will sellTubeology products in Spain, Portugal and Andorra.

The latest developments mean that the Tubeologynow has partners in most key territories globallyacross the USA, Canada, Scandinavia, the Pacific Rimand Europe.

Managing Director of FP Distribution, FedericoPrato, said: “Argentina is one of the most importantplaces in the world for fly fishing. The species arefished for mainly with streamers and Tubeology offersan incredible amount of alternatives to fish with thesame fly.

“The minute I saw Tubeology I knew it was justright for our waters.”

Jorge Garcia Felipe of Garper Fishing said: “As soon

as we saw Tubeology we recognised the flexibility thatthis tube fishing system offers. It was immediatelyclear to us that it was a perfect fit for our catalogue.”

Ann Kitchener, International Sales Director atTubeology, added: “We are extremely pleased to signagreements with FP Distribution and Garper Fishing.Both are highly respected and established companiesin their marketplaces and we are looking forward toworking alongside them.”

Product information, new online videos and a‘flipbook’ of its new 2011-2012 catalogue are justthree of the features on the relaunched websitefrom Worth, the lure components maker.

The site also has a library of all the Stevens Point,Wisconsin, company’s ‘How To’ and ‘How They’reMade’ videos as well as other essential information.Log onto www.worthco.com to see for yourself.Above: Federico Prato of FP Distribution of Argentina is certain

Tubeology will be a big success in his homeland.

WORTH UPDATESONLINE OFFERING


COMMUNIQUÉ

18

New Shimano line-up unveiled


A dramatic faceliftof its legend-ary BaitrunnerLC Reel headsa formidable

line-up of new and improvedreels for 2012 from Shimano.As exclusively revealed onour website (www.angling-international.com) the iconicBaitrunner has been upgradedwith the company’s latest

technologies to make it fit for purpose for the rigoursof 21st century fishing.

But that major revamp is just the tip of the icebergand has heralded a swathe of other developments.

Last year Shimano introduced X-SHIP on itsflagship Stella FE model. Designed to give a smootherretrieve even under a heavy load, it is now availableon the new Biomaster FA – which replaces the TwinPower FC – and the Stradic FD.

The company is also introducing a new Aernos FAto the top of its PA range.

Shimano Product Developer, Chris de Haan, toldAngling International: “It combines the best technology

and stunning cosmetics at an affordable price.”In its saltwater range, a Biomaster SW, suitable

for heavy duty spinning and jigging, has also beenunveiled by the company.

de Haan said: “All the materials used are designedto cope with the harsh saltwater environment and ithas many features that can be found on the Stella SWand Twin Power SW.”

There has also been a number of big pit reelintroductions, both with the Baitrunner Spool II (XT)and Instant Drag (XS).

The Aero Technium MGS XSB, which won theBest Fixed Spool Reel award at EFTTEX in June, isShimano’s ultra-high-end model for the season.

de Haan added: “Our successful C14 material hasbeen used to make an ultra-light Ultegra C14 XTAwhich is up to 110g lighter than the regular Ultegra.”

Two new families of reels have been created atentry level – the Aerlex and Beastmaster XSA/XTA.They have the Aerowrap II oscillation system, giving

a perfect lay line and casting performance, says deHaan. Both ranges feature carp and surfcaster modelsand are distinguished by their cosmetics and drag type.

A special Spod reel has been added to the AerlexXTA family and boasts a high gear ratio for fast retrieveand a spool with multiple line clips.

Three new electric reels have made an appearance– Dendou Maru 1000, 4000 and 9000. They aredesigned to fish the deepest waters. de Haan said:“There is quite a big market in Europe, although it isconcentrated along the Mediterranean Sea.

“We have developed new engines that are strongerand faster. A very fast retrieve means more actualfishing time and that can add up to an hour extraevery day when fishing at 500m.

“There are Power Pro reel fillers available indifferent breaking strains to fit all three.”

All the new Shimano reels for the 2011/12 seasonare available in tackle shops now and are featured inthe company’s 2012 catalogue.

“The new Aernos FA combines the best technologyand stunning cosmetics at an affordable price.”– Chris de Haan, Shimano Product Developer

The American Sportfishing Association(ASA) has appointed Kenneth G. Andresas the new Director of ICAST, the world’sbiggest angling trade show. He succeedsMaria del Valle Hamilton who recently leftthe ASA after overseeing significant growthin the show over the past decade.

A keen fisherman, Andres has beenwith the Association since 2007 and hasbeen responsible for sales and exhibitorrelations, sponsorship, logistics, vendorrelations and general show production.

ASA appoints show director

Chris de Haan has revealedan exciting new range.

Kenneth G. Andres succeedsMaria del Valle Hamilton inthe role.

Left: The Aero TechniumMGS XSB leads Shimano’shigh-end model charge. He also has previous trade show

experience, working with Freeman andTradeshow International Inc., and withTeam One LLC, both based in Florida.

ASA President and CEO Mike Nussmansaid: “Ken brings years of knowledge andexperience, not only about ICAST but theentire trade show industry to this impor-tant position.”

Andres said he planned to helpincrease education opportunities, supportfor and participation in the show.


COMMUNIQUÉ

20

International brands drivingrapid expansion ofBrazilian trade show


BRAZILIAN SPORTFISHING TRADE SHOW AWARDS 2011

The Brazilian Sportfishing Trade Show iscontinuing to reflect the growth of thecountry’s domestic economy and attractthe interest of foreign exporters. It hasflourished to become the largest show

of its kind in Latin America, with the latest event inSao Paulo drawing over 5,500 trade visitors from thefishing and tourism industries.

The manager of the show, Fernando Baracho Mar-tinelli, said: “Brazil is a fast growing market and thingsare happening here quicker than anywhere else. Thishas been recognised by companies from right acrossthe globe and I truly believe that the next three yearswill see the show expand further and achieve evengreater success.

“Companies from around the world are startingto realise the potential that 32 million Brazilianconsumers with money in their pockets represent.”

More than 50,000 visitors make theannual Lorist International Fair of Hunting,Fishing and Sport in Serbia one of thebiggest events of its kind in eastern Europe.

And another large crowd is expectedat the 43rd show that will take place atthe Novi Sad Fair between September 28and October 3.

Last year, fishing enjoyed the secondbiggest representation behind hunting

of all the sports at the show. Many topmanufacturers showed off all their latesttackle developments.

Visitors from across Europe attendedlast year’s event, including sizeablenumbers from Bosnia and Herzegovina,Bulgaria, Montenegro, Croatia,Macedonia, Slovenia and Egypt.

The event is a combined trade andconsumer show.

SERBIAN SHOW PREDICTINGHUGE NUMBERS ONCE AGAIN

Simon Henton, Group Marketing Manager ofline manufacturer FirstDart, agrees. The companymade its second appearance at the show andHenton said: “The event is developing aninternational dimension. It has expanded ontoanother floor and it was really good to see visitorsfrom outside South America, including representativesfrom India and Australia.”

Exhibitors, including Shimano, Coleman, Belmar(distributor for Penn, Shakespeare and Bagle),FlagShip (Abu Garcia and Plano), Alkalis (G.Loomis,PowerPro), and Marine Sports (Diawa) were amongthe 85 companies at the event – an increase of 28from the previous year.

The Best of the Year awards saw success for USkayak manufacturer Freedom Hawk. Represented byits Brazilian distributor, Lay Outdoors, the companywon the Best of the Show award for its Freedom 12.

The complete list of award winners at South America’s leading show.• National Lure Bokuda (Deconto, Brazil)• International Lure Trolling Lure (Scent Blazer, Australia)• Line YGK G-SOUL PE (Wakoku, Brazil)• Baitcaster Reel EXO (Quantum, Brazil)• Baitcaster Rod Lubina Black Widow (Marine Sports, Brazil)• Spinning Reel Stradic FJ (Shimano)• Spinning Rod Tikara (NS, Brazil)• Tools GEX Aluminium Pliers (Everquest, Brazil)• Apparel Ballyhoo Shirt (Ballyhoo, Brazil)• Watercraft and Dive Freedom Hawk 12 (Lay Outdoors, Brazil)• Best of Show Freedon Hawk 12 (Lay Outdoors, Brazil)

Next year’s show will take place between August 8-10 at theFrei Caneca Convention Center, in Sao Paulo.

October 2011 Angling International 21

GLOBAL SHOWS IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2011

Shimano Australiacelebrates triplesuccess at AFTA Show

Shimano Australia picked up a hat-trick of awards at the AustralianFishing Trade Association (AFTA) Show on the country’s Gold Coast.The tackle giant – represented by Dunphy Sports Fishing Imports, ofTaren Point, NSW – won Best Overall Stand, Best Rod and Best Fish-ing Accessory at the trade-only showpiece.

The event attracted many major industry names including Shimano, Diawa,Rapala VMC, Halco, Jarvis Walker, Pure Fishing, Australian Monofil, JM Gillies,Basser Millyard, Frogley’s Offshore and EJ Todd.

Colin Tannahill (right), General Manager Sales and Marketing of DunphySports Fishing Imports, hailed the event as “the best show we have ever had”.

He said: “We were flat out for the first two days. We released over 60 newreels, 130 new rod models and over 100 other items at the event.

“Technology-wise, we introduced QR (Quick Response) Codes for all ournew products which can be viewed on smart phones or through the internetvia traditional computers. In advance of the show we also produced 39 one- totwo-minute video clips highlighting our new products that can be seen on ourYouTube channel.

“This was virtually an industry first in Australiaand was warmly welcomed by all retailers.”

The full list of AFTA Show award winners was:• Best Overall Stand Shimano Australia• Best Large Stand/Display Rapala VMC Australia• Best Medium Stand/Display River2Sea• Best Rod G.Loomis GL2 8500 esp (Shimano)• Best Reel Abu Garcia Revo MGX (Pure Fishing)• Best Terminal Tackle Snap on Sinker Klik (Alvey)• Best Line Berkley NanoFil (Pure Fishing)• Best Soft Lure Eco Gear Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn (JML Trading)• Best Hard Lure 2 Deadly Killalure (Basser Millyard)• Best Tackle Management Plano 787 Guide Series T/Box (JM Gillies)• Best Boating Accessory and Electronics Nemo Underwater Camera (Viva)• Best Fishing Accessory AGR Pliers (Shimano Australia)• Best Kids Plano 100 piece tackle box (JM Gillies)• Best Clothing Accessories Big Fish Graphics (Big Fish Shirt)• Best Giftwear BBQ Set Marttiini Knives (Rapala VMC Australia)

BULGARIA Nasluka Hunting, Fishing, Sport ShowDate: September 28-October 2 Venue: Expo Centre, SofiaVisitors: General public www.bulgarreklama.comAimed at fishing and hunting enthusiasts, this is the 18th show in the historyof the twice-yearly exhibition.

SERBIA LoristDate: September 28-October 2 Venue: Master Congress Centre, Novi SadVisitors: Trade and consumer www.novisadexpo.comOne of south-east Europe’s largest fishing, hunting and sports shows.

UK Tackle & Guns Trade ShowDate: October 16-17 Venue: Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, WarwickshireVisitors: Trade www.tandgshow.comThe hunting, shooting and fishing show will be entering its 12th year.

AMERICA Fort Lauderdale International Boat ShowDate: October 27-31 Venue: Fort Lauderdale, FloridaVisitors: Trade and consumer www.showmanagement.comSportfishing boats, canoes and kayaks on display as well as fishing seminars fromthe International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) and kids’ fishing clinics.

JML Trading)


COMMUNIQUÉ

Belgian buying groupsteps up its search formore retail membersABelgian buying group is offering retail

outlets the opportunity to join its ranksand take advantage of its purchasing power.Elite Wholesale Company, which is based inRanst, just 13km from Antwerp, is looking

for new members in three regions of Belgium – Turnhout,Essen/Kalmthout and Kortrijk.

The group, which was establishedmore than 25 years ago, was set upto offer selected retailers the chanceto buy famous brands –includingHungarian bait company CarpZoom – from across the world atfavourable prices.

It now also provides its memberswith a comprehensive own-brandrange of products under the Elitename which have been sourceddirectly from China and othercountries across the globe, includ-

ing Poland, where the company makes its own keepnets.Elite Managing Director Erik De Schepper told Angling

International that the group currently has 13 memberswhich represent most of the major tackle dealers in Belgium.

Historically, membership of Elite is split into regions ofBelgium with each area having one retail member.However, De Schepper said that it is possible to have morethan one member in a region subject to the agreement ofthe membership.

Elite is also currently working alongside EuropeanFishing Tackle (EFT), a group which provides a similarservice to its members in Germany and Holland.

He said: “EFT can help us get better prices on productranges that they order in large quantities, but we do notneed so many of and cannot order in sufficient numbersdirect from China.

“An example of this is wagglers and lures. We do notorder that many, but they are popular in Germany andHolland. EFT will add our requirements to their order andpass them on to us. Elite does likewise for EFT on otherproduct ranges.”

Retailers in Belgium wishing to know more aboutElite membership can email the company at [email protected] or call De Schepper on +32 3646 0426.

Organisers of the 3rd Guangzhou Inter-national Fishing Fair are expecting morethan double the number of exhibitorsthat attended last year’s event.

Held in the city’s China Import andExport Fair Pazhou Complex from March9 to 11, 2012, the show is preparing toaccommodate 300 exhibitors,compared to 127 in 2011.

Exhibitors will reportedly includeRapala, Shimano, Pure Fishing, EagleClaw, Anatec, Gamakatsu and Gt-Bio.

The show will incorporate the 2ndGlobal Lure Cultural Festival, to reflectthe fastest-growing and mostenvironmentally-friendly fishing style inChina, and the 2nd China InternationalCasting Championships.

In addition, a Top Ten Brands Selectionwill be introduced in 2012, with winnersselected by visiting buyers.

“We believe 2012 will see a new break-through in the scale of the exhibition, thenumber of exhibitors and the number

of buyers from both home and abroad,”said a spokesperson for the Fair.

“We expect domestic visitor numbersto reach 10,000, up from 8,264 lastyear, plus another 400 from abroad, upfrom 262.

“The Top Ten Brands Selection willencourage innovation among Chinesecompanies and will raise the profile and

awareness of Chinese brands in theinternational industry.

“The Fair is a good platform to helpforeign enterprises develop business inChina and for domestic companies toexplore overseas markets.”

Further information is available byemail at [email protected] andby visiting www.guangzhou fish.com.

Guangzhou Fishing Fair expectingto double exhibitor numbers in 2012

Managing Director Erik DeSchepper has opportunitiesfor retailers in three regions.

24

Sub-par attendance: the Ernest N. MorialConvention Center in New Orleans (mainimage and insets right) attracted fewerbuyers than organisers hoped.

TM REPORT


Issues remain to be resolved, but, as Mel Bagnall reports, there isstill a strong undercurrent of support for a stand-alone IFTD show.

IFTD’S GAMBLE ONNEW ORLEANS PAYSOFF... BUT ONLY JUST

26

TM REPORT


> has been recently at this show. Without some meansof enticing more dealers to come, I believe the industrywould be best served by combining forces with theASA and ICAST. I fear that Reno provides many of thesame excuses to our dealers that were used in NewOrleans –expensive, mid-August, ‘I’ll see everythingwhen the rep comes by’ etc. These shows are a majorexpense that I feel should, and ultimately must, exhibitgreater returns.”

John Land Le Coq Co-Founder, Fishpond“It was a good show for connecting with people thatwe would not normally see, particularly interna-tional contacts. There has been more of a saltwatercomponent this year and I’m really glad we came toNew Orleans. We will be in Reno next year althoughI would have preferred Portland. Reno will not neces-sarily be perceived as expensive compared to other

larger cities, but maybe Portland would have been abetter destination to draw people from other parts ofthe country. It also has a more coastal feel to it. Julywould be better timing for us. That would give ustime to take orders by early September for a Februarydelivery and March 1st sale. The industry needs a bigshow so buyers can see everything under one roof,but in some ways it is not as intimate as we wouldlike. The idea of a smaller show shared with like-minded manufacturers who in some cases share thesame reps could be appealing.”

Rick Heider President,Angler Sport Group“It was no surprise the showwas slow as there arevery few customers inthe area. However, asusual lots of busi-ness was conducted

on the floor. Baltimore would have been abetter choice. It offers easy access, betterweather and it’s a nice town. Reno shouldbe an improvement as it is in the west andshould attract more dealers. The timing ofthe show is wrong – the west is just startingand the east is in full bloom. A better timewould be off-season. The show needs anuplift. It should either be sold or mergedwith another show to stimulate cross-over

business. They have to somehow make it compellingfor all dealers to attend. I don’t think that will happenduring the season. Rumours are that the show fits theschedule of the clothing business.”

Larry V. Notley President,Pockit Sports“My expectations were not high,so things worked out. Therecould be more attendees, but inthis economy, I understand. Wetook no orders. The price in thesmall business area allowed us

to attend. Small businesses like mine have to watchevery penny. I hope AFFTA do not raise the price.”

Why didn’t New Orleansattract more buyers?The consensus is that the cityjust doesn’t have enough dealersin close enough proximity – andthat choosing a popular, fundestination wasn’t compellingenough. However, the fact thatthe season started so late dueto high water clearly persuadedsome buyers that their bestoption was to stay home and dobusiness.

Is IFTD in a stronger or weakerposition after New Orleans?After a sound start in 2011, AFFTAneeded to maintain its forwardmomentum. It will be disappoint-ed that New Orleans fell short ofthat mark, but encouraged thata strong undercurrent of sup-port remains for the show. Themanufacturing influencers arecurrently still behind the showand some have already bookedfor next year. But IFTD will needto deliver in Reno!

Is IFTD likely to join forceswith another show?There is a growing lobby for theshow to join forces with ICAST.It is not an option favoured byAFFTA, which fears the fly sectormay lose its identity and that themore conservative nature of flyfishing doesn’t fit with ICAST. De-spite that, it remains a possibil-ity. Simms exhibited at ICAST thisyear and had a fantastic show.Much will depend on exhibitorreaction to Reno. Poor bookings

may cause the AFFTA Board tolook at other options.

So is Reno a good choice?Reaction has been reason-ably positive, with most peopleagreeing that it is better locationthan New Orleans. It has a bettercatchment area for dealersand also meets entertainmentand fishing criteria. Ultimately,AFFTA’s success in attractingsignificantly more dealers thanNew Orleans will be the measureby which it is judged.

Will the show ever return toDenver?Almost certainly, but not for awhile. Show Director Randi Swish-er insists the event’s traditionalhome remains in contention andit could be the next west coastdestination. The concentration ofdealers in Colorado must surelybe a key factor.

Is the timing of the showlikely to change?Current dates are not written instone because timing is a morecontentious issue than location.It’s no secret that the soft goodscompanies would prefer an evenearlier show. However, others arelobbying for a later date, whilesome are happy with August/September. One thing’s for sure –AFFTA will never please everyoneon the timing. It’s a classicno-win situation and the Boardmust decide whose support itneeds most.

What next for AFFTAand the IFTD show?


WHAT NEXT INELECTRONICS?

ELECTRONICS REPORT

The electronics sector is growing and has seen a number ofadvances in recent years. Here, some of its key players explainhow their products are taking the market to the next level.

Flajzar was established in 1994 by TomasFlajzar, who is the sole owner and headof its R&D division. The company offersvisitors a warm welcome to its home inthe region close to the historical town of

Straznice in the Czech Republic. Located between themeandering Morava River and the White Carpathians,it is distinguished by its folk songs, customs andarchitecture. It is also famous for its high quality winefrom grapes grown on the White Carpathian slopes.

When it started up in business, the company tookquick advantage of the lack of competition in theCzech market. International Business DevelopmentManager Tomas Hrachovsky says: “There were somebrands which were imported – or even made in theCzech Republic – but most of them were riddled withmistakes. The makers did not concentrate on somefeatures that are very important today – includingthings like humidity resistance and battery life.”

He adds: “Moreover, China did not know such

products existed at that time and it wasnot interested in making them.”

As a result Flajzar began building itsreputation very quickly and it wouldsoon conclude its first contracts withwholesalers in the Czech and SlovakRepublics. Today, the Flajzar brandand its Fishtron trademark are wellknown among anglers in CentralEurope. It has even found its wayto markets outside of Europe.

Hrachovsky says: “The newestFishtron Q9 bite indicator has been espe-cially successful on the global market. Thedesign of the alarm has played an importantrole in its success, as has its reliability andversatility. That’s why the new sets consisting ofFishtron Q9 and Q-Rx2 receiver have won thousandsof customers during a very short period of time.

“We monitor the trends in the field of anglingaccessories and electronics, which allows us to developproducts with timeless functions. Our companycovers all the activities necessary for a new productto come into being – design, software development,design of electronics, production, packaging anddispatch – so we can respond flexibly to everyrequirement of the market.

“Because we control the entire chain of all activities,we are able to adapt the properties of our products tothe wishes of our wholesale partners.

“It is common that the period betweenthe idea and the prototype – design ofelectronics, software, design, and 3-Dmodel including surface treatment – can

take just a few days.”Flajzar has also introduced the Fishtron

solar bite indicators – the first models on the marketthat utilise solar power. The indicator is equippedwith a Li-Ion accumulator continuously recharged bysunlight. It can also be boosted by connecting it tothe mains or to a socket in a vehicle.

For 2012 the company is planning other innovationsto its models that include very simple and intuitivecontrols, high acoustic output and the long reach ofa Tx transmitter.

Before being introduced to the market, all of thecompany’s products undergo tests in accreditedlaboratories and bear the CE marking.

From top: The Q9bite indicator, Q-Rx2receiver and Fishtronsolar bite indicator.Bottom left: The country-side around Straznice.

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T: +420 511 19 1201E: [email protected]: www.flajzar.cz or www.fishtron.eu

C O N TA C T

Flajzar’s quick response rewarded

Jabo steps up search for distributorsChinese-based Jabo Electrical Fishing Gear is lookingfor distributors for its range of remote control baitboats and fish finders. The company already exportsto countries in Europe, including the UK, Germanyand Poland, and is keen to drive sales in other markets.

One of its most popular models is the Jabo-2D– an updated version of the 2B. It has a catamaran-type hull structure that helps stabilise the vesselduring sailing. Capable of carrying 1.5kg of bait, it ispowered by a 6v rechargeable battery that can work

continuously for two hours when fully charged.It travels at 1.5m a second and the remote control

operates up to a distance of 200m. It comes with asolar fish finder device that works between depths of1m and 32m.

There are two other bait boat fishfinder products in the company’sportfolio – the Jabo-1 and Jabo-3 –to provide a model for most fishingenvironments.

T: +86-432-62488334E: [email protected]: www.szjabo.cn or www.zhyk.com.cn

C O N TA C T

H

Sema attracting salesSema launched its revolu-

tionary Rollo bite alarm tocritical acclaim at EFTTEX inAmsterdam earlier this year.

The brainchild of SemaProduct Manager Tomas Andel, the ideawas to have an indicator in one singleunit rather than two. Company ownerPetr Minarik says: “It is not a new idea,but Sema is the first to bring afunctioning product to the market.

“Tomas started to think aboutthe Rollo five years ago, but it was

not until three years later that we hadthe first prototype. After that – duringconsultation and trials with fishermen– we knew we had something special.”

The unique device combines a lever-action bite indicator and an electronicbite alarm in one unit. Incorporated inthe Rollo is a new drop-off device thatdoes not use any moving parts, springsor any other items that need to be

ELECTRONICS REPORT>

t.

as

T: + 420 777 78911E: [email protected]: www.sema.cz or www.rollo.sema.cz

C O N TA C TMain image and inset: The innovative SemaRollo incorporates a lever-action bite indicatorand an electronic bite alarm in one unit.

JRC puts faith in Radar packageJRC is so confident in its new RadarDSi alarm and Radar DSr receiver thatthey both come with an unlimited two-year warranty which can be extendedonline by a further 12 months.

Jan Mertens, Pure Fishing’s GlobalBrand Manager JRC, told AnglingInternational: “The alarm and receiverhave not only been designed anddeveloped in Europe, but also manu-factured here. All the parts – even thehousing – are made in Europe toguarantee quality.”

All the alarms are individually avail-able in red, green, yellow and blueand there is a single receiver with fourcolours. JRC also has a set of threeblue alarms with an all blue receiverand a set of four all blue alarms with areceiver. These sets come supplied in ablack EVA protective case.

Features of the Radar DSi include:● Sensitivity control. The linemovement picked up by the roller-wheel can be set from very sensitive(4mm) up to not sensitive (15cm).

● Tone and volume control.● Mute option when adjusting ahanger.● Multi-function visual indicationconsisting of LEDs.● Two power out sockets.● Extended battery life.● Fully encapsulated electronics.● Nightlight.● Soft protective case.● Non-slip rod rests.● 2x 1.5v LR1 batteries included.● Low battery warning.● Range up to 1,000m.● Easy pairing with receiver.The Radar DSr receiver runs on a AAA1.5v battery (included) and a lanyardis also provided. The LED bivvy lightin the receiver can be automatically setto switch on when you receive a take.It also has a low battery warning andvibration function.

All the JRC alarms are made incorporation with electronics specialistFlajzar, which has manufactured theseven new products in the Radar range.

loaded to activate the release. Instead,the new system uses the change in‘geometry’ during the strike to ensurethat the line detaches cleanly from theline clips without resistance, damageor risk.

The Rollo has a five-button controlpanel with LED display to access thequick user-friendly menu. Allsettings are stored to the memoryeven after it has been turned off.

Minarik says that following the suc-cess of the original Rollo, work is al-ready underway to develop other bitealarm products based on the patentedsystem. He added: “We are develop-ing modifications and will introducespins-offs on the theme.

“In the first half of next year we willlaunch a simple mechanical indicatorwith our drop-off system and by theend of 2012 we intend to unveil lowerspecification levels of the Rollo.

“The major development willcome in 2013 when a completelynew Rollo 2 will hit the market.”

T: +33 45 09 67 700E: [email protected]: www.jrc-fishing.co.uk

C O N TA C T


Patrick Sébile: how mynewestcreationscatchfishPatrick Sébile talks exclusively to Angling International this month abouthis two major projects of the year – the development of the award-winningD&S Crankbait and the highly acclaimed Swimbait Rig.

“When the fish bites, theangler pulls on the rod, the

hook goes up, and the pointhooks into the fish’s jaw.”

M y inspiration is driven by need it-self. For the D&S Crank I wantedto get a crankbait into the deepwhile limiting the risk of gettingit snagged on the bottom. It is

a fact that many predators react extremely well todeep crankbaits. However, the deeper the crankbaitgoes, the less the angler knows how snaggy it is onthe bed and how to avoid those snags.

So I put together a bait that included a roundshape; a wide and long bill; a V-shape cutting viewbody; and a flat tail. The result is a lure that goesreally deep – up to 34ft deep for the 70mm lure.

That is pretty much unheard of for a bait of its sizeand category.

However I didn’t want to just add the lure to atreble hook. The more hook points you have, thebigger risk you run of encountering snags.

I was looking to use the benefits of a single, widegap hook to lower the risk of snagging by having thehook point up. It would also grab the mouth of thefish better.

And, instead of having a fixed single hook, whichhas its own limits because it can leverage with thebait when the fish shakes it head – increasing thechance of losing it – I made it collapsible by utilising

the cheapest and most constant energy source on theplanet – the earth’s gravity.

Thanks to that, while the lure is running the hookstays down with the point hidden behind the end ofthe tail. This helps the bait go through the variousstructures underwater without the hook snagging.

When the fish bites, the angler pulls on therod, the hook goes up, and the point hooksinto the jaw of the fish. Under the pressurefrom the line, the hook goes back downensuring that once a fish is hookedthe lure perfectly holds the fish on.That is a big benefit for anglers

COMPANIES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT...

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

?Want to talk to Sébile?Here’s how to find them...Tel: +33 45 09 67 700 Email: [email protected]: www.sebile.com


HOW IS OLD GHOST CHANGING CARP BAIT? See p34

because compact deep divers are typically baitsthat suffer from a high percentage of lost fishduring the fight.

It is perfect when you have a predator with a softmouth – like perch, sea bass and bass – or for theleapers who are used to getting free by shaking theirhead as in the case of pike.

I am pretty proud of the bait because it brings a lotto the angler – even from a safety point of view whenyou grab the fish at the end of a fight. There’s no riskthat a dangling hook can hook you.

The release is also made easy – you just have topush the hook up and backwards. It is simple,efficient and convenient!

The product was introduced to great acclaim atEFTTEX and Salon Européen Des Pêches En Mer, inNantes, where it won two awards (Best Hard Lureand Most Innovative Product). It was also recognisedin the Product Showcase at ICAST 2011 where it wascrowned the Best Hard Lure.

My other project this year was the development ofa new swimbait rig. I was looking for a rig that canbe used with swimbaits and other soft plastics – likegrubs, shads, curly tails, worms, slugs – to utilisethe benefits of a soft plastic, but to include the greatcoverage of the shape and a high hooking ratio thatan open wide gap hook with a treble hook under thebelly offers.

Also, I wanted the bait to be able to modify and adjustits weight to change balance and dive curve. This wasmade possible by having a fixed weight in front of therig and adding one or more of the award-winning SoftWeight Systems on the back of the hook shank.

By doing this you can change within seconds theway your bait will swim and sink, which will make thedifference in whether a predator fish will bite or not.

The swimbait rig is perfect when it is used withdeadbaits. It is a technique I grew up with and isperfect for pike.

It is my way of bringing such a unique but very

simple rig to benefit most spinning and castinganglers.

I like to fish it when I don’t need to hide myhook point into the plastic while fishing in heavycover. There are also plenty of instances where thesoft plastic lure or a natural deadbait can be used inopen or clear water.

Above: Patrick Sébile with another successful catch on hisswimbait rig. “My inspiration is driven by need,” he says.

“The swimbait rig is perfectwhen it is used with deadbaits.It is a technique I grew up with

and is perfect for pike.”


Old Ghost: we havethe answers to the carpsector’s biggest problems

The Chinese giant believes it has identified two majorneeds in the European carp market – and developedthe perfect products to meet them.

Above: The Old Ghost team, with owner Yi Zhe second right,celebrate victory at the EFTTEX Awards in Amsterdam.

In the 12 months since Old Ghost announcedits intention to enter the European baitmarket, its products have aroused hugeinterest among buyers and competitorsalike – not least at EFTTEX in July where

it stunned the industry by winning the Best NewHookbait Award.

All along the key question has been, how insuch a crowded market can Old Ghost differentiateits baits? Few doubt the company’s credentials orthe skills of its owner and chief product developerYi Zhe. But the questions remain: what needs hasOld Ghost identified in the European bait market– and how will its baits meet those needs? Now,as the launch date for its first baits draws nearer,Old Ghost is ready to share its conclusions aboutEurope and also the philosophy that has driventhe creation of two of its key products.

1. European carp are tooaware of traditional boiliesExplains Yi Zhe: “After four years of researchinto fishing in Europe, we found that almost all

European anglers release carp after catching them. Inprofessional fisheries especially, hundreds of carp arecaught and released dozens of times, year after yearand day after day.

“As a result, these carp have become more andmore alert to the traditional hard, single-layeredboilies that anglers use to attract them. If they are notvery hungry, they simply will not strike these hardballs. So even when there are many carp in aprofessional fishery, it is not unusual for an anglerto catch nothing.”



?Want to talk to Old Ghost?Here’s how to find them...Tel: +86 27 8756 1355Email: [email protected] Web: www.oldghostbait.com


WHAT DOES STRIKE PRO HAVE PLANNED NEXT? See page 39

Above: The award-winning Fresh-keeping Hookbait Sausageis easy to prepare and rig, says Old Ghost – which is oneof its key advantages over live bait. “Just cut it into smallpieces and attach it to the hook and it’s ready for fishing,”says owner and chief product developer Yi Zhe.

are effective for most species,but, sometimes, that’s not

what you want. For example, in some fishing spots,there are lots of species of different sizes. If you use anatural live bait, you can end up catching any fish ofany species and any size. This isn’t helpful if you wantto catch a specific species.

“But you can resolve this problem by using artificialbaits with certain flavours that you know your targetspecies is particularly attracted to.

“In addition, while natural live baits are veryeffective when the weather is cold or the fish areinactive, artificial baits are more effective when it’shot and the fish are actively feeding.

“And then there’s the storage of the live baits,which can also be a big problem. What’s more theycan carry harmful bacteria, which are dangerous toanglers’ health. Besides, some anglers just don’t likethe soft-body worms.”

Fresh-keeping Hookbait Sausage, the winner of theBest New Hookbait Award at EFTTEX 2011, resolvesall the problems associated with live baits, says OldGhost.

Firstly, the bait comes in a range of four differentflavours aimed at different target species: Sweetcorn,which is very effective when fishing for grass carp andbream; Snail Carp, which has been especially devel-oped for carp; Bloodworm, which is excellent forfishing bream, roach and catfish; and Squid Carp,which, says Old Ghost, is fantastic for carp and catfish.

In addition, says Old Ghost, Fresh-keeping Hook-

Old Ghost believes it has solved the problem ofever more wary carp. Its research has found thatcarp are not so wary of baits made with natural foodflavours such as mussel, snail, shrimp and algae.

Adds Yi Zhe: “We conducted experiments in ourunderwater monitoring centre. In those experimentswe threw a certain amount of traditional boilies aswell as some of our double-layered boilies into thewater. The double-layered boilies were coated withgreen algae. We found that the carp loved thedouble-layered boilies but had little interest in thesingle-layered ones. They continuously fed on thedouble-layered boilies and ate far fewer of thesingle-layered ones.”

Old Ghost makes its double-layered boilies byfirst making traditional single-layered ones. Then, viaa special technique, adds a second layer of naturalfood of the type favoured by carp. This outer layer– whether it be green algae, snail, mussel or shrimp –continuously releases a natural aroma which attractsthe fish without making them suspicious.

“We believe that the development of theseproducts will definitely increase the catches ofcarp fishing anglers in Europe,” adds Yi Zhe.

2. Live baits don’t target theright fishOld Ghost believes it has identified three advantagesthat its artificially produced baits have over live baits.

Says Yi Zhe: “About ten years ago, live baits likebloodworm, maggot and earthworm were compre-hensively used in fishing in China. These live baits

bait Sausages are very convenient to use. “Accordingto the size of your hook and your target fish,” itsays, “just cut the sausages into small pieces, thenattached one piece of it to the hook as a hair rig orside rig, and it’s ready for fishing.”

Thirdly, Fresh-keeping Hookbait Sausage is veryclean and hygienic.

Says Yi Zhe: “With Doubled-layered Boilies andFresh-keeping Hookbait Sausage, the Europeancarp market can see that the core of Old Ghost’sphilosophy is innovation.

“Innovation is what made Old Ghost what it is inChina today and will make its reputation in Europein the future.”

arbu


BESTNEWPRODUCTAWARD

BEST NEW HARD LURESTRIKE PRO TWIN MINNOW

“We are determined to bring more innovativeideas to the market,” says Michael Tsai aftervictory for the new Twin Minnow at EFTTEX.

When it comes to winningawards at EFTTEX, thereseems to be no stoppingStrike Pro. The companypicked up the braided

line and soft lure awards at the 2010 event inValencia, Spain, and followed it up this year inAmsterdam with the hard lure prize.

And Strike Pro says its successes at EFTTEXonly serve to galvanise its resolve to set its sightseven higher.

Proud Strike Pro founder and PresidentMichael Tsai says that winning the fiercelycontested hard lure category was the highlightof EFTTEX 2011 for the company.

He told Angling International: “Winningthe award was very important for Strike Pro. Itmakes us determined to work harder and tocreate and develop new lures and bring moreinnovative ideas to the market. It is a greatmotivator for us.”

Based in Changhua City, Taiwan, StrikePro started in 1973 as a producer of jigs andspinners before branching out into hard lures,original wooden lures and spinner baits in the1990s. Since then it has become a benchmarkfor lure quality with a portfolio of over 500 dif-ferent models in 4,000 colours.

Tsai is the inspiration behind many of thecompany’s lure designs and is the creator ofthe award-winning Twin Minnow. Ithas been made specifically forsuperior casting and to

B

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WINNER

STRIKE PRO TO STRENGTHEN ITSLURE PORTFOLIO

imitate small baitfish or a school of baitfish.The unusual shape is said to help casting dis-

tance and it boasts a “magnificent” swimmingaction that attracts both fresh and saltwater fish.

It comes in three sizes: Twin Minnow A,10cm/6.5g; Twin Minnow B, 10cm/7.2g, andTwin Minnow AB, 10cm/7.3g.

Another product from the Strike Pro stablethat has been receiving rave reviews is its newWolf Tail, a lure developed by the Swedish lurebuilder, Anders ‘Wolfcreek’ Ulvforsen.

It has a gentle rolling action with an addedteasing movement from a soft plastic tail. StrikePro says that the bait can be cranked slowly orfast – and fish cannot resist its deadly action.

The Wolf Tail also has a patented screwlink for easy change of damaged plastic tails.Equipped with Owner ST-36 2/0 hooks, itmeasures 23cm with its tail.

Also new to the Strike Pro collection is theSalmonoid Minnow, a lipless model describedby the manufacturer as the most lifelike lureever produced.

Strike Pro says it is perfectly balanced, withrubber fins and tail, lifelike eyes, internal sonicrattle and a double-jointed action. The minnowsets a “new benchmark” in lure technology, itadds. It is 15m long and weighs 43g.

s-

.

Above: Strike Pro founder and President Michael Tsai andClaire Lin from Strike Pro’s sales team with the Best NewHard Lure Award at EFTTEX in Amsterdam.Claire Lin from Strike Pro’s sales team with the Best NewHard Lure Award at EFTTEX in Amsterdam.

T: +46 876 10600E: [email protected]: www.strikepro.eu

C O N TA C T

Above: The new Wolf Tail lure hasbeen winning praise and leadsthe next generation of Strike Prolures behind the award-winningTwin Minnow (below).

W H A T N E X T F O R T H E 2 0 1 1 A W A R D W I N N N E R S

BEST NEW PRODUCT AWARD


Alarge photograph of theEFFTEX Visitor’s ChoiceAward proudly adorns theopening page on the EumerFinland Oy website. The Finn-

ish company is rightly proud of the achieve-ment of its new SpinTube in Amsterdam andis fully aware of its marketing potential.

Export Director Olli Ojamo told Angling

International: “We have publicised the awardat every opportunity – in the media, onthe website and on Facebook. It is a reallypositive way of marketing our business. Itcertainly makes selling the SpinTube easierwhen you point out it was the people’s choiceat EFTTEX.”

“The award is a big thing for us. We area young company and this has given us somuch more energy and belief in ourselves.

“It has provided us with national radio andtelevision coverage in Finland and globalexposure in magazines. The SpinTube brandhas been enhanced and wholesalers aroundthe world now know that it is a genuine articleand not something that has been copied.

“We were so happy that two youngFinland boys could end up being applaudedin front of the fishing world and getting anEFTTEX award.”

Since being founded in 2007 by brothersOlli and Jaakko Ojamo, Eumer Finland Oyhas established itself as the country’s biggestmanufacturer of tube flies and tube fly com-ponents. It started out making tube flies forfly fishermen and has since added weightedtube flies for spinning.

The award-winning SpinTube has takenfour years of testing involving at least 100days each year on the water.

Olli Ojamo added: “If you want to create agreat new product you have to test it for a verylong time. We did not want to copy any otherproducts. We wanted to do it our own wayand develop something that was new, cooland innovative. Retailers and wholesalers are

always looking for new items and new origi-nal products – now they have the SpinTube.

“My brother and I have been fly and spinfishing for 18 years and we wanted to put thetwo disciplines together.”

Ojamo said that winning the Visitors’ ChoiceAward was the icing on the cake at a verysuccessful EFTTEX. He added: “We workedhard to make the exhibition happen for us.

“In the three months leading up to theevent we continually booked appointmentsand that meant we were busy all the time.

“There is no point attending these showsand waiting for people to come to yourbooth. You have to be pro-active and ourapproach paid off for us.”

Eumer now exports to over 20 countries.The newly-launched SpinTubes are designedto fish for many different species, includingzander, perch, bass and pike. There are fivedifferent models and many different sizes andcolours. They are available in Europe and willsoon be available in America and Japan.

T: +358 40 9620364E: [email protected]: www.eumertube.com

C O N TA C T

VISITORS’ CHOICEEUMER SPINTUBE

SPINTUBE’S WIN SEALSPERFECT EFTTEX FORHARD WORKING EUMER

Below left: Eumer Export Director, Olli Ojamo, atthe EFTTEX Gala Dinner and, below right, with hisbrother, Jaakko.

The company is already capitalising on its success with amulti-media marketing campaign, explains Olli Ojamo.

VISITORS’

CHOICE

WINNER

large photograph of the

g p ggg p


HOW IS EXTREME FISHING WIDENING ITS OFFERING? See p42

The US specialist is proving its versatility with a list of strong, lightweightguides for any occasion – together with a promise of swift delivery.

American Tackle says that whetheryou are a product manager for a largecorporation or a custom rod builderneeding a guide for the lightest of flyrods or the heaviest of offshore tuna

rods, it has a guide for you.The company’s ‘almost weightless’ Titan frames

in its Casting range are found on some of the finestrods in the world, including both the Orvis Heliosand Scott’s S4 flagship fly rods. The titanium framesare so light and strong that American Tackle saysthey defy all expectations.

The 316ss frames are so powerful because almosthalf of the material needed in older designs hasbeen removed.

The Casting series’ ‘big brother’, the Typhoon,combines all those features, but also includes aheavier gauge 316ss or titanium frame for weightierfreshwater and saltwater applications. They alsocome in 25mm, 30mm and 40mm for use withlarge spinning reels.

The Concept style guide train allows the roddesigner to utilise the 8mm-20mm for casting/conventional use or combine them with the 25mm,30mm and 40mm for larger spinning rods.

The beefy Virtus guide series – Latin forexcellence – are offered in two models. The VirtusLite is for heavy inshore or offshore saltwater rodsfrom 20lb to 40lb, while the Virtus Heavy is a 50lbto 80lb ‘beast’ of a guide for blue water fishing ofany kind.

The company has also revealed the secretsbehind its Quad Leg Ring Lock design which isutilised in all of the four guide ranges. It reducesring popping lateral twist and also adds structuralintegrity which lessens twisting that can dislodgeguide rings.

The Ring Lock design will protect the ring,securing it in place by using its greater frame-to-ringsurface contact to provide more protection as wellas a larger epoxy reservoir for bonding.

Shorter feet are used to lessen weight and createa smaller footprint. This reduces thread, epoxy andthe overall length of the guide which can inhibit thenatural performance of the blank.

All four guides feature a beefed up Duralite or

NanoLite ring especially designed for heavier applica-tions with rounded IDs and ‘unsurpassed’ strengthand hardness that will handle any of the braids onthe market today. They are featured on the US-madeSeeker Hercules rods – some of the finest saltwaterrods in the world, says American Tackle.

All four of the guides are offered in a chrome andblack chrome-plated 316ss for less weight, extrastrength and corrosion protection. The Casting andTyphoo ranges also feature TICH or Holographicframes with NanoPlasma rings in silver, holographic,blue and gold. All the guides are also available in asolid titanium alloy that is corrosion proof and said tobe 64% lighter than its SS counterparts.

American Tackle’s Own DuraLite and Nanolite

rings are used in all four styles to provide the best inhardness and durability. They are diamond-polishedsmooth and among the hardest ceramics available.Their strength allows an elimination materialresulting in a reduction of weight without sacrificingdurability.

The hardness and low co-efficient of friction meansthat they will endure all the punishment of today’smodern braids and super lines and prolong line life.

American Tackle adds that they are ‘surprisingly’priced and offered with a lifetime warranty againstmanufacturer’s defect. The company can ship them fromits Korean factory directly to China in only 30 days.


Above and right (leftto right): The Casting,Typhoon, Virtus Lightand Virtus Heavyguides fromAmerican Tackle.

AMERICAN TACKLE’SGUIDE SHOWCASE

?Want to talk to American Tackle?Here’s how to find them...Tel: +1 888 516 1750 (Toll free) or +1 508 957 2164Email: [email protected] Web: www.americantackle.us


Advanced coatingfor a more realisticfinish

Prestige lures for elite anglersFinish: Silver, gold or black nickel plating depending on the model.

Hooks: Japanese Daiichi hooks.Packaging: Red accent colour.

Performance lures for regular anglersFinish: Mostly painted, brass or nickel elements.Hooks: Mustad.Packaging: Grey.

High quality lures for entry level anglersFinish: Simple one or two-coloured patterns.Hooks: Mustad.Packaging: White.


?Want to talk toExtreme Fishing?Tel: +7 499 707 7517; +7 926 214 8080Email: [email protected] Website: www.extremefishing.ru


All anglers can own a high performancelure, no matter what standard offishing they aspire to. That’s themessage from Extreme Fishing,which has devised a marketing

strategy to capitalise on the growing reputation ofits top-of-the-range Addiction lures so that salesincrease among committed anglers and those usingadvanced techniques.

Owner Vitaly Pchelnikov has divided hisproducts into three groups: Addiction lures for eliteanglers, Obsession lures for advanced anglers andPassion lures for committed anglers. The lures allhave the same shape and functionality. Where theydiffer is in the finishing (see panel) and – to ensurethey are clearly identified on the shelves – in thepackaging.

The inspiration for the strategy comes fromoutside angling, says Pchelnikov. “I liken it toowning a Mercedes car,” he explains. “Whatevermodel you choose, the cosmetics may be differentbut the engine is always world-class. Even if youbuy a car for everyday use, you can be sure it willperform brilliantly. It’s the same with our lures.The brand always delivers.”

After making a big impact with its lures, ExtremeFishing is intent on adding new product lines in thespinning sector. It will bringing a new family of rodsto market in 2012. The three-tier marketing strategywill be rolled out into these product ranges too,says Pchelnikov. There will be Addiction, Obsessionand Passion rods too.

“The aim is to use the same divisions across allour products. The tackle will suit the angler’s expe-rience and budget, but he will also know he has thevery best performing products in his hands.”

Most of the new product focus will be drivenby Extreme Fishing’s domestic market in Russia,although Pchelnikov is confident all his ranges willhave pan-European appeal. “I am sure they willtransfer successfully to other European territories asthe brand’s reputation grows,” he added.

EXTREME FISHINGDIVIDES ITS LURE RANGEFOR WIDER APPEALBy creating three separate finishes, owner Vitaly Pchelnikov is planning tosell his top quality lures to newcomers, regular anglers and elite fishermen –all attracted by a brand promising high performance.

ures for entry level anglersne or two-coloured patterns.

ite.

Want to talk toWExtreme Fishing?E Fishing? Extreme


EFTTATRADING WITH

The voice of the European Tackle Trade

One of Japan’s top fishing line manufac-turers has joined EFTTA’s campaignagainst cheats. Sunline – which wasfounded in 1977 and is the majorsupplier to its domestic market – has

signed up to EFTTA’s Line Charter which is designedto end the practice of wrongly labelled line packaging.

The company’s Hiroshi Togi said: “Sunline hasalways been uncompromising in its pursuit of thehighest quality in fishing lines.

“It has led the industry in displaying line strengthon all its products. We believe this is the least a manu-

Japan’s Sunline signs upto the EFTTA Line Charter

facturer can do to be accountable to the consumerin terms of quality assurance. In practical terms linestrength is also the single most important piece ofinformation for product selection.

“Fishing professionals and enthusiasts in Japanhave come to place their complete trust in ourabsolute honesty, technological expertise and wideselection of quality lines.”

Sunline is based in Yamaguchi in the west of Japanand manufactures lines for all types of fishing. It cur-rently exports to more than 40 countries worldwide.

Togi believes that all line makers should put their

weight behind the Line Charter. He said: “Most fish-ermen believe what they read on the label so if theypick up wrongly labelled products it creates mistrust.

“Sunline strives to broaden the possibilities foranglers by offering a wide range of lines to meet everykind of fishing method for all species of fish. As aresult it is the top brand in Japan with dominance ina number of other markets through the world.”

USAPPARELCOMPANYGLACIEROUTDOORBECOMESEFTTAMEMBER

Glacier Outdoor, the companybehind the Glacier Glove brand,started life 28 years ago in Reno,

Nevada. Under Glacier Glove, it created the original neo-prene fishing glove and quickly developed the product toinclude hunting and sun gloves.

The line has grown to include many accessories,including packs, hats and cycling products. The companysays that its success is rooted in a strong belief in qual-ity, adding that its products are often imitated but neverduplicated.

“We create and develop our products to give fishermenthe best dexterity possible, while protecting them fromthe elements,” it says. “A blend of quality and dexterity iswhat has driven the Glacier Glove brand and will continueto be our focus for the future.”

Glacier Glove adds: “We have a proprietary blind stitchmethod and glue that allows us to produce thinner gloveswith softer-feeling seams. The glue and stitch, along withpremium materials, sets our neoprene products apartfrom the competition. We independently test all our sun

w w w . g l a c i e r o u t d o o r . c o m

products for verification of our UVF ratings.”

PRODUCTS FOR 2011: Glacier Glove currently hasmore than 50 products in its portfolio including a newpatterned sun glove and a completely redesignedsun hood. Of the latter the company says: “The testingresults from different guides has been fantastic.” Thereis also a newly designed winter hood with a fleece thathas high breathability and warmth. And finally, it has anultra-light glove series for mild days.

PLANS FOR GROWTH: Domestically, Glacier intends toincrease product distribution by continuing to grow itsrepresentative network. “The development of new andexciting products is also key,” it says.

The company reports encouraging growth in the flyfishing market and in 2012 plans to pursue the bass fish-ing sector as well as continuing to expand its growing SunProtection offering.

Internationally, Glacier has hired a representative inAustria to handle sales in Europe. It plans to increase

its presence and continue to drive the brand and all itrepresents. Glacier adds: “We feel our products have a lotto offer fishermen internationally as well as in the US.”HOW EFTTA MEMBERSHIP WILL HELP: The company hasjoined EFTTA to ensure its key brand and products areplaced in front of the right people.

It says: “EFTTA is an organisation that supports anglingand takes on the challenges facing fishermen and theindustry. To us it is a great fit.”

CONTACT DETAILSUS: Coby RoweTel: +1 800 728 8235Email: [email protected]: Betsey JansenTel: +43 699 1008 2421Email: [email protected]: www.glacierglove.comand www.glacieroutdoor.com

EFTTA’s latest recruit from the USA is thecreator of the original neoprene fishing glove.

NEWMEMBER


EFTTAT R A D I N G W I T H

T H E V O I C E O F T H E E U R O P E A N T A C K L E T R A D E

Another successful EFTTEX has resultedin Danish specialist Innovative Lurestying up a distribution deal with fellowEFTTA member, Leeda. Leeda hasadded the vertical jerkbait Jiggy Jr to itsportfolio and is currently showcasingthe product at its trade shows.

Innovative Lures founder LarsSogaard said: “Leeda was instantlyimpressed by the Jiggy Jr whichwe presented in a tank at EFTTEXso that visitors could actually try itout. After extensive and intensetesting, Leeda embraced theopportunity to add the Jiggy Jr toits sales portfolio.

“We are happy to be workingwith Leeda. Its professional ap-proach has convinced us that we

have found the right UK partner.”Nic Brown, Leeda’s Marketing Man-

ager, said: “We have been approachedby many lure manufacturers in thepast but in reality they are all tiny vari-ations on the same theme. But theselures are genuinely unique and allowyou to effectively fish over bottomdebris easily without getting snarled.”

EFTTEX dealfor lure maker

Danish fly fishing company, PacificWave, which owns the A.Jensen brand, ison the verge of increasing its sales ‘on abig scale’ following distributorship dealsin France, Iberia, the Baltic and Finland.

Meetings since EFTTEX have seen thefishing tackle manufacturer tie up dealsthat were brokered at the Amsterdamshowcase. One of the biggest has been apartnership with giant French distributor,Pafex. It will be the exclusive distributorof A.Jensen fly fishing products to all ofits 800-plus customers across France.

Pacific Wave’s current exposure inFrance is restricted to around 35 retailersand the company’s Managing Director,Henrik Agerskov Jensen, admits this dealis “very good”.

He said: “This is a major step for usin France and could , in time, lead to anincrease in overall business of several100%. It doesn’t bear thinking about.

“We have had more and more interestfrom all the major markets in the southof Europe, but with the deal we now havewith Pafex we are able to cover the largeFrench market in a satisfying way.”

The ink is also dry on an agreementwith Northland 1971 SL, a wholesaler offishing tackle and outdoor leisure equip-

ment based in Lardero in the La Riojaregion of Spain. It will supply A.Jensenproducts to around 500 retailers in itshomeland, Portugal and Andorra.

Fishing tackle shops in Latvia,Estonia and Lithuania will also be receivingA.Jensen products following thecompany’s agreement with ZooservissSIA, a distributor based in Ogre, LatviaAnother deal first discussed at EFTTEXcame to fruition when Jensen agreedterms with Finnish wholesaler andmanufacturer, Wake Fishing.

Pacific Wave seals hugedeals throughout Europe

Henrik Agerskov Jensen: deals inFrance, Spain and the Baltic.

On its way to theUK: the Jiggy Jrjerkbait.


EFTTAT R A D I N G W I T H

T H E V O I C E O F T H E E U R O P E A N T A C K L E T R A D E

[email protected]

Advertise with us. One annual fee. No hidden extras.(a) 1cm x1 column for €288 or £250 or $400; (b) 2cm x1 column for €438 or£380 or $608; (c) 4cm x1 column for €807 or £700 or $1121

Companies that wantyour business

RICU PRODUCTS TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF NEW MEMBERSHIP

Ricu Products OY started out lifein 1994 as Saaristomeren Yrity-spalvelu, a fishing guide servicetaking its customers boat fishingin Finland’s archipelago for pike,perch, Finnish bass, sea troutand salmon.

In 1998, Managing Director, Mika Leinonen, started todevelop the Ricu Cut and Clean fish handling tool and inNovember this year the company expects to startmanufacturing the device and selling it to marketsacross the world.

Ricu products are made by Okartek Oy in Kaarina –

CONTACT DETAILSTel: +358 40 706 2132Email: [email protected]: www.ricutuotteet.fi

one of Finland’s major manufacturers of plastic goods.PRODUCTS FOR 2012: Initially, Ricu Products Oy willconcentrate on the Ricu Cut and Clean. Following thestart of full-scale production in November, the companyintends to focus on its home market in Finland and thenlook to Scandinavia, Russia, Europe, the USA and Canada.PLANS FOR GROWTH: It plans to introduce new productsfor fly fishermen and hunters next year. It will build on its‘quality tools from Finland’ concept by also introducingspecial knives for household use.HOW EFTTA MEMBERSHIP WILL HELP: The companywas a first-time exhibitor at EFTTEX in Amsterdam andLeinonen reported good feedback on the product.

He said: “At EFTTEX we made around 35 contacts towhom we are now sending out the first samples of theRicu Clean and Cut. We are honoured to be part of EFTTA.It is an organisation that really helps and supports itsmembers. Through the efforts of EFTTA, we secured abooth at ICAST 2011 in Las Vegas and enjoyedconsiderable success there.”

The Finnish tool maker generated huge interest at itsfirst EFTTEX, swiftly followed by attendance at ICAST.

NEWMEMBER

angling international - october 2011 - 45

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