Break Out of the Bubble at ICAST
For one week, the entire sportfishing community comes together to connect over new ideas, new products and new connections that drive the industry forward.
It’s a Wednesday morning in Florida. Mid-July. Along the Gulf Coast, tarpon are wrapping up the final weeks of their run through Tampa Bay and Boca Grande Pass. On the Atlantic Coast, flies are tied for bonefish and permit in Biscayne Bay. But in the middle of the state, the focus of the sportfishing world is on Orlando.
Each year, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, ICAST, regularly draws more than 13,000 fishing industry professionals to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. ICAST is the one place on the planet to find tournament bass anglers, muskie hunters, catfish fanatics and fly anglers all in one place. Last year, the convention drew representatives from 75 countries and all 50 states–among them, a healthy host of fly-fishing aficionados that live, sweat and breathe on the fly.
Nearly 100 fly-fishing related brands attended ICAST 2025, many occupying a dedicated fly-fishing village and many more spreading out into the diaspora of fly-adjacent brands around the show floor.
“Fly fishing is an integral part of our community, and having representatives from leading fly-fishing brands on the show floor highlights the innovation and cross-over potential of many of these products,” said Kendra Allman, Vice President of Business Development and Members Services for the American Sportfishing Association. “Most anglers participate in multiple types of fishing, and ICAST is the only place where retailers have the entire range of fishing products at their fingertips.”
Apparel companies, tourism boards from popular fly-fishing destinations like Costa Rica and the Bahamas, and conservation organizations like the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust all have a presence at ICAST, as do thousands of new fishing-related products waiting for an introduction to consumers.
ICAST is best known as a launch party for new rods, reels, waders and everything else needed for a successful day on the water. For more than 70 years, the show has been the go-to place for buyers to discover, test and order new SKUs that typically ship in time for the holiday rush later in the year. Most take advantage of deals and discounts only available on the show floor; but many also carve out time to learn more about the sportfishing world around them.
At ICAST, it’s almost impossible to live in a bubble. Any given stroll between meetings can turn into a chance encounter with a new customer or new idea that can transform a business.
“In addition to the business of selling fishing equipment, ICAST provides a learning space for attendees to hear from leaders across the industry on topics like artificial intelligence, supply chain management, website development and effective social media strategy,” added Allman.
Fly fishing has been connected to ICAST since its inception, but the past three years have marked a renewed emphasis on returning value for fly-fishing brands making the journey to Orlando.
In 2023, ICAST moved fly-fishing exhibitors and interactive events to the front porch of ICAST, creating a replica fly shop on the show floor. The ICAST Fly Shop has become a destination for the fly fishing industry to showcase new products, build partnerships and sign deals on the show floor.
In both 2023 and 2024, ICAST also increased the number of fly-fishing categories in the ICAST New Product Showcase Best of Category Awards. The move placed increased emphasis on the nuances of fly-fishing apparel and tackle design and offered additional opportunities to snag an eye-catching ICAST Best of Category award. In 2025, ICAST also hosted an official stop for the Fly Fishing Film Tour, bringing some of the most creative minds in the fly world face-to-face with its business leaders.
The American Sportfishing Association says they see the incredible value in the fly fishing world. From a statistical standpoint, fly fishing accounts for a significant portion of the country’s $99.4 billion in direct spending generated by the recreational sportfishing economy. According to the latest available data from TakeMeFishing, more than 13% of the 57.9 million Americans who went fishing in 2024 identified as fly anglers.
But for industry leaders like Allman, the fly world is even more integral to the success of sportfishing. It’s from these ranks that some of the most creative, knowledgeable and adept anglers on the planet originate. “The thought leadership and innovation coming out of the fly fishing side of our industry is remarkable. As the pursuit of new species and destinations on the fly continues to grow, retailers have repeatedly asked for more brands and products to attend ICAST to meet the demands of their growing consumer base at home.”
Registration for ICAST 2026 is open now. To learn more and to reserve your spot on the show floor, visit ICASTFishing.