F3 Mag. 2012 Shopping Issue

Check out the 2012 Shopping Issue of Florida Fly Fishing Magazine (12wt. ad on page 3)

Project Permit

Reds Under Glass

Versatility

Captain Lacy Kelly Rush of RUSH CHARTERS LLC has been testing 12wt. gloves for fishing, cast netting and bow fishing. Her mom has also logged some hours in the SUNwt. gloves for offshore pursuits. These women have appreciated the versatility and attributes of this handwear and they showed their appreciation by sharing some great photos with us as well as some helpful feedback. Here's one excerpt from what Captain Lacy shared with us:

"I'm really digging the gloves. I've struggled for years trying to find the right pair to keep my hands nice and that feel comfortable to wear all day long. The added sun protection is a plus too!"

Photos courtesy of RUSH CHARTERS LLC

F3 Mag. Vol.3 No.7 2012

Check out the latest issue of Florida Fly Fishing Magazine (12wt. ad on page 20).

12wt. Head Gear

Here's a 30 second look at the 12wt. Head Gear Collection. We have 5 styles currently available in limited edition quantities. Visit www.12wt.com to see more details and more 12wt. gear.

 

Photos by World Angling

Reality Check

Captain Will Benson spends more time in the sun than most of us. His experience and knowledge of the flats are what 12wt. looks for in an ambassador and product tester. Recently he made a WORKwt. glove comment that seemed vey share-worthy, especially for those who need sun protection to do their job safely. Note that Will has trashed quite a few pairs of gloves in the last year and that is likely to continue but at this stage in development here's what he had to say:

"I must admit that in the beginning I was a bit skeptical about the technical sun glove idea. But, after a year of wearing the WORKwt. gloves I find myself still wearing them when I walk in the house at the end of the day. After adapting to the product, I don't even realize I'm wearing them. My hands aren't as worn, the sun spots are not as visible, and my hands are white! Thank god for wearable sun protection. I really mean it, when you do what I do every day and cancer is a reality, a product like this is simply awesome!"

Here at 12wt., our mission is to make wearable, comfortable, functional sun protection targeted for those who spend time on the flats. We strive to pay attention to the details because we feel that they matter. We continue to improve our gloves and have just launched a small hat collection. We have a series of other apparel and accessory products slated for 2013 launch so keep an eye on us. Thanks to those of you who have supported us so far. We look forward to protecting more of you in the days, months and years ahead. 

Photo by Michael Neumann

The Office

Origins

Poon Science

Riding High: The Science of Tarpon, is just a brief showing of what is in store for the science section of the full-length version of the film. This segment puts emphasis on the ongoing tarpon satellite tagging programs. Thank you to all that where involved in forming this idea along with organizations like Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Orvis, East Cape Skiffs, Yeti, and more. The tarpon satellite tagging program is a very important conservation tool that is just beginning to show it's true potential for preservation of migration and spawning habitats for tarpon not only in our local waters but worldwide.

How Not To Pole A Flats Boat

Excerpted clip from our "Making of LOW & CLEAR" documentary. The "Making of LOW & CLEAR" documentary is included exclusively on the "LOW & CLEAR" DVD which also includes outtakes, deleted scenes, and of course: the feature length documentary "LOW & CLEAR." Please visit our Kickstarter Campaign to pre-purchase the DVD which begins shipping early September 2012.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1504461029/low-and-clear

www.lowandclear.com

Forward Progress

12wt. Design Director Steve Stracqualursi  is shown here testing some prototypes that are scheduled for 2013 release. 12wt. has a crew neck shirt in trials that uses a combination of fabrics designed to protect the back and shoulders from sun and radiant heat while allowing the front and underarm areas to dump heat and maintain UV protection.  12wt. has several masks in testing but the one shown here is a slim tubular concept that offers protection from UV and insects but is much thinner than the competition.  As for hats, 12wt. will be unveiling a batch of styles with a host of different performance characteristics designed to meet comfort and aesthetic criteria.  The model shown in the shot has laser cut ventilation and a unique moldable, memory free brim.  Stay tuned for progress reports and feel free to share your opinions.

Photos by Rene Braun

Day in the SUNwt.

12wt. Co-Founder Frank Smith landed and tagged this 30+ lb. Florida Keys permit  with guide, content contributor and 12wt. product tester Captain Will Benson of World Angling.

Photo by Will Benson

Feel What's Going On

Tampa Bay and west central Florida fly fishing guide Captain Bryon Chamberlin recently sent us some images and glove feedback that we wanted to share:

"I've been using the WORKwt. Gloves quite a bit for fishing. The gloves have absorbed some significant line burns that would have otherwise got my left hand pretty good. You can see the marks on the black material. These gloves also help me fight tarpon since I put additional pressure on the fish by pinching the line against the fore grip of the fly rod. With the gloves, I can feel what's going on and I don't have to worry about line burn when the fish surges. The only negative to add is on this particular pair is that a couple of finger darts have started to delaminate."

Photos by Bryon Chamberlin

River Report

Maine Guide Sean McCormick continues to share 12wt. test feedback with us on the WORKwt. Gloves so we thought we'd share it with you. This is the latest report from Sean:

"So far I have 17 Kennebec River driftboat trips on the WORKwt. Gloves with no signs of wear yet. I am also doing a lot of 100ft. anchor sets and so far the rope has not bothered them. I have just been tossing the gloves on the dash at the end of each day and grabbing them the next...but it's time to wash them. I have noticed another glove benefit; I do not need to hold fish as tightly with these gloves as I do with bare hands. Not squeezing as tightly when removing the hook is always a good thing. Great gloves, my hands are happy."

Water Log

We really appreciate feedback and pix from our customers. Here's a shot sent to us by John Bartlett who had this to say about the SUNwt. Gloves "The gloves are great.....nice product!" Visit Carp on the Fly to see more pix of the SUNwt. Gloves in action and some great fish.

Wash and Wear

12wt. tester Capt. Paul Osmon is shown here wearing an early prototype of the SUNwt. Gloves. Paul needs sun protection but also needs to use his hands for bait and chum preparation.  He devised a cleaning solution recipe that proved exceptional on the stretch glove fabric (soaking in it). The solution recipe is 1/4 cup Dawn, 1/4 cup Cascade, i/4 cup Tide and a cup of water.....but that concoction might actually clean just about anything.

The Big Ugly

The big ugly was designed to imitate mantis shrimp and ghost shrimp, which are common on the flats of the tropics and subtropics. This video is calleed "Redux" because it is a re-edited version of the original Big Ugly video. The Big Ugly Redux includes photos of mantis shrimp and ghost shrimp, as well as their habitats. This edition also has voiceover that describes the habitats, what to look for to identify when mantis shrimp and ghost shrimp are present, and fly tying tips.

Freshwater Feedback

Master Maine Guide Sean McCormick has put his time in on the oars so 12wt. asked him to test the WORKwt. Gloves on the Kennebec River. Here's some early freshwater feedback from our tester:

"The sun gloves have four trips in them with no visible signs of wear in the palm. I am noticing no issues with dexterity when doing small things such as tying on flies or adding tippet to leaders. It is quite nice after some very sunny days on the river to not have the backs of my hands feeling like leather."

Photos by Steve Stracqualursi

Mask Variation

This is another 12wt. mask experiment using the combination of knit variations (ribbed and smooth) shown previously.  This time the ribbing follows the lines of the face and neck.  The smooth texture transitions at the base of the neck and can be finished off allowing it to fan out just over or under a shirt collar.  Our manufacturer thinks he can mock something up for trial.  We'll keep you posted.

Illustration by Pleasant Hill Studios

5/12 SOTM entry

12wt. customer John Bartlett caught this 30+ lb. carp wearing the new SUNwt. Gloves. He submitted this shot to the MoldyChum SOTM contest for May. Good luck John!

Weigh in

12wt. field tester Joe Ziepniewski recently sent us some pix and feedback from a 30+ day bone fishing session in the Bahamas.  Joe used a single pair of SUNwt. Glove prototypes that were exactly like the production model (except for color).  Here's what Joe had to say:

"I've tried a number of sun gloves but found the SUNwt. Gloves from 12wt. to be by far the best I've ever used.  After 33 days of bone fishing in the Bahamas, these gloves were comfortable and performed well day in and day out.  The snug fit keeps the gloves in place from casting to landing fish.  One of the best features of the gloves is the banded reinforced finger openings that prevented slippage and bunching which has been a problem with other gloves."

Photos courtesy of Joe Ziepniewski

Tail end

Captain Will Benson sent me this shot of a client holding on to the tail end of a nice Florida Keys permit with the new SUNwt. Gloves from 12wt.

Where it all began

On the run

Balaclavas for the sun have never really penetrated the market.  We were researching a domestic supplier/manufacturer and came across an existing balaclava proto that sparked some interest, if only from a variable knit and fabric point of view.  One thing that made us smile was when we pulled it on over a hat.  We thought, would this hold the hat on your head while on the run?  We'll test it.  Sun mask experimentation at 12wt. continues.  Feel free to share your thoughts.

Illustration by Steve Stracqualursi

Experimentation

The is a shot of our product guy experimenting with some seamless, variable knit samples he got from a domestic supplier.  He happens to be wearing a camisole on his face.  12wt. is also experimenting with the idea of customization as a service option, especially with our WORKwt. Glove.  More as that develops.

Let's Save The Boca Grande Tarpon Habitat

Gloves stocked

Photo by S.S.Flies

All Hands on Deck

Photography by Will Benson and Tim Pask
Photo editing and Production by Pleasant Hill Studios

Megalop's Cube

Illustration by El Pescador Photo by El Paskador