On July 15-17, ICAST, the world’s largest sport fishing convention, and IFTD, the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show, returned to Orlando, Florida for the second consecutive year. After an outstanding turnout of almost 13,000 fishing representatives from around the world, Orlando will play host to the show next year as well.
In addition to serving as an international hub of family-friendly tourism and business conventions, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have dubbed the state the “Fishing Capital of the World.” And when it comes to saltwater fly fishing, Florida offers a wealth of fishing locales, from mangroves, flat, and salt marshes, to ocean-side and the Gulf Stream.
Fortunately, ICAST/IFTD vendors came prepared for the intense summer heat with apparel and accessories specifically designed for sun protection, as well as a wildly diverse array of saltwater fly rods to fit most budgets. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite new saltwater fly fishing and sun protection products for 2016 to help you make the most of the summer season.
Scott Fly Rods
Whether you’re sharing company with the Florida alligators in the marshes, wading in the surf, or targeting big snook, redfish, bonefish, and tarpon from a flats boat, Scott Fly Rods recently unveiled the new Meridian series of high quality saltwater fly rods. Scott’s award-winning ReAct technology speeds the recovery of the blank rather than making the rod stiffer, which reduces energy-sapping vibrations after you make your cast.
The new Meridian fly rods come in 2-piece, 3-piece, and 4-piece configurations in multiple weights and lengths to suit angler’s preferences.
As a result, the rods are remarkably light and accurate without compromising line speed or power. And when you’re trying to work around offshore breezes that threaten to foul your casts, the boost to your casting accuracy may mean the difference in getting the fly to a elusive fish.
The Meridian features a newly designed reel seat made of aircraft grade aluminum.
Scott’s Meridian series fly rods come in 2-piece, 3-piece, and 4-piece configurations, with models ranging from 8 to 15-weight and 8 to 9 foot lengths. Newly designed components, such as a reel seat made of aircraft grade aluminum, are right at home in the toughest saltwater environments year-round and will last you for the long haul.
TrueFlies
When it comes to apparel, the Pro Staff at TrueFlies Clothing have a long-term relationship with the intense sunlight in the tropics and know what it takes to make a quality fishing shirt. If you’re looking for a classic sporting style that can go from the dock to downtown, TrueFlies’ Bookelia Woven Shirt offers new colors for 2016 and has become a staple for anglers worldwide.
The shirt features concealed side mesh vents, SPF 30, moisture wicking, and two pockets to hold your fly boxes without extraneous fabric to snag your fly line.
And when you want a more casual look, the performance-driven Turtle Bay Tee II is the ideal tropical sunshade shirt for managing the searing Florida heat.
The Turtle Bay Tee II is the casual workhorse in the TrueFlies clothing line, ideal for kayaking, fly fishing, swimming, and more.
The shirt feels light and airy, and is ultra breathable thanks to proprietary TrueShade{Pef}™ material with SPF 30 and moisture wicking. This versatile garment can multitask as a fishing shirt, rash guard for swimming, and sweat-proof sun protection.
Glacier Glove
Of course, nothing is worse than sunburn on your hands or head. Scalps and hands are often the last places to get sunscreen, the first to burn, and the most uncomfortable and difficult to avoid. Fortunately, Glacier Glove announced expansions to its already impressive array of lightweight sun gloves and headwear to protect those most vulnerable patches of skin.
The Universal Sun Shade II protects your head and neck with 50+ UPF and is ideal for fishing, kayaking, and any other mid-summer outdoor activity. Versatile and breathable, you can wear it in eight different configurations, such as a neckerchief, headband, or hood.
Glacier Glove’s Universal Sun Shade II offers eight versatile configurations to protect the wearer’s face, head, and neck.
To protect your hands during hot summer days, the Abaco Bay Flip Mitt completely covers your fingers but can be quickly converted to fingerless.
The Abaco Bay Flip Mitt innovates sun gloves with a mitt flap to protect your fingers that tucks away when it’s time to fish.
Made of breathable 50+ UPF fabric, the mitt easily tucks away into a hidden pocket to free your fingers to work your fishing rod, shoot photographs, or paddle your kayak.