MUSKEGON, Mich. – The handshake that sparked the fishing industry's most logical collaboration didn't happen in a sterile corporate boardroom. It happened in the woods.
During a hunt, Kevin Strong, Vice President of Sales at Whitewater Fishing, and Tim Mossberg, Founder and President of Fish Monkey, got to talking. The realization was immediate—Whitewater was leading the charge in marine and fishing-specific outerwear, engineering premium fabrics, cuts, and styles for everything from bibs and raingear to performance hoodies. Meanwhile, Fish Monkey was completely conquering the fishing handwear market, building an unmatched reputation for the fit, finish, and feel of their specialized gloves.
The idea of combining forces was kicked around, and now, it's a reality. Whitewater and Fish Monkey have officially joined forces to introduce a co-branded lineup of high-performance fishing gloves, which will be available later this summer.
Joint Market Expansion
Specialized fishing handwear was born of the salt, designed to protect blue-water captains and flats anglers from relentless UV glare, abrasive braided lines, toothy critters, and the raw maritime environment. Today, that technical mindset is rapidly expanding into the freshwater mainstream, and the Whitewater and Fish Monkey partnership arrives at a time when the inland landscape is completely shifting.
Hand protection is becoming essential across any freshwater market where there's a nip in the morning air or a sun in the sky, which is essentially everywhere. Bass anglers and multi-species sticks across the northern states, mid-states, and Canada are heavily embracing the performance benefits of technical fishing gloves, recognizing that protecting their hands directly translates to more hours on the water and better control over their gear.
Proven Patterns, Custom Execution
Rather than starting from scratch, the collaboration focuses on taking three of Fish Monkey's most trusted, field-tested glove models and executing them in custom patterns that effortlessly integrate both brands.
Anglers can expect the exact same meticulous ergonomic design and Griptanite™ non-slip grip technology that put Fish Monkey on the map, now paired with the styling and rugged, rough-weather ethos that defines Whitewater outerwear. By combining forces, the two brands are eliminating the gap between the sleeve cuff and the fingertips, offering an uninterrupted system of weather defense and tactile control.
Protecting the Most Exposed Asset
Freshwater anglers have aggressively adopted technical fishing shirts, neck gaiters, and hooded performance layers to combat UV rays, but hands are still too often left out of the equation. Even as glove adoption skyrockets, thousands of anglers still leave their hands entirely vulnerable, completely exposed to the sun's glare for hours on end while holding a rod or gripping the steering wheel of a boat.
This collaboration addresses skin cancer prevention head-on by providing an easy solution for an asset that deserves total coverage. By making premium hand protection a seamless extension of an angler's daily apparel setup, the co-branded lineup ensures fishermen can shield their skin from cumulative sun damage without sacrificing the critical dexterity and line-feel required to fish effectively.
Ultimate System Integration
By bridging the gap between the sleeve cuff and the fingertips, this collaboration delivers an uninterrupted system of weather defense and tactile control that brings together two definitive category leaders. The new co-branded Whitewater and Fish Monkey glove line will be available online at Whitewater and through select retail channels later this summer.
AVAILABLE MID-SUMMER 2026
Pro 365 Guide Glove FEATURES:
- Lightweight, breathable, quick-dry polyester blend
- Second-skin ergonomic design
- Exposed fingers allow better dexterity and tactile response
- Non-slip silicon pattern provides greater control
- Synthetic leather stripping pad protects index finger from cuts
- Synthetic leather heel pad
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- SIZES: SM – SXL
MSRP $32.99
Half Finger Guide Glove FEATURES:
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- Exposed fingers allow better dexterity and tactile response
- Synthetic leather palm non-slip grip adds comfort & support
- Quick-dry breathable fabric for all-day comfort
- Superior construction for second skin fit
- Extended cuff for UV protection
- SIZES: SM – 2XL
MSRP $32.99
Stealth Dry-Tec Glove FEATURES:
- Water & windproof construction to keep your hands dry & warm
- HIPORA 100% waterproof technology
- 40g Thinsulate™ Insulation for warmth
- Pre-curved finger design for ultimate dexterity
- Non-slip "Monkey Grip" palm
- Touchscreen compatible index fingers
- SIZES: SM – 2XL
MSRP $64.99
AboutFish Monkey: Fish Monkey is the industry's leading line of performance fishing gloves designed specifically for captains, deckhands, professional guides, and recreational tournament anglers. By focusing strictly on the technical side of handwear—utilizing advanced materials, precise tailoring, and specialized grip technologies—Fish Monkey delivers products with an unprecedented under-2% failure rate, protecting hands from sun, cold, and abrasion without sacrificing dexterity.