Simms Fishing Products teams up with fisheries research university

Montana State University, long known for its work in fisheries research and education, has further reinforced its fishing credentials by teaming up with Simms Fishing Products.

Under MSU’s licensing agreement for the Trout U brand, trademarked in 2007, Bozeman company Simms will make Trout U hats and shirts, including products made from its Bugstopper and Solarflex fabrics. “Students come from all around the country to fish our Blue Ribbon rivers and conduct hands-on fisheries research,” said Julie Kipfer, MSU’s Director of Marketing. “This partnership with Simms is one more way that MSU students and their families can connect with that experience.” Sales of the new products will generate royalties for MSU.

In recent years, MSU students, with majors ranging from ecology to engineering, have worked with the faculty to study fish behaviour, map stream beds and design fish-passage structures, all with an aim of improving native fish habitat on iconic rivers such as the Big Hole and Yellowstone. MSU has a history of working with agencies such as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on fisheries issues. And the MSU Library is home to the Trout and Salmonid Collection, part of an effort to create the world’s largest and most comprehensive research centre for trout-related information.

“This partnership gives us an opportunity to deepen our roots with MSU community members who are passionate about angling and our home waters,” said Trevor Walz, Sales Manager at Simms. “Our local waters are vital, not only to our business and the local economy, but also to the health and well-being of thousands upon thousands who utilise the incredible resources we are so fortunate to have in our own backyard.”

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