The first outdoors show I attended was outside Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia. As a teenager who had only been an avid angler for a few years, only exposed to the handful of brands carried by my local tackle shop, it was eye-opening. And I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been going to fishing, hunting, and fly fishing shows on a nearly annual basis. The Fly Fishing Show has been a part of Casting Across since the site’s inception.
That said, I think I have an idea of how you can maximize your time at an outdoor show. More than just walking the aisles with a wad of cash or gleaning free stickers from every vendor, tapping into the fullness of the scene will make your day (and your entry fee) worth while.
Here’s an “itinerary” I would suggest to a first time attendee or to someone who hasn’t felt they’ve gotten a lot out of previous days at events like this:
Walking in: Hopefully you bought your ticket online, as lines can get long in that first hour. Especially on Saturday mornings, it is nice to just walk in. And although scheduled events are posted online weeks before the shows, you’ll be able to check out the full slate of events (and potentially updated options) when you walk into the exhibition hall. If you don’t have a list of demos or presentations you want to hit, now is the time to do make that mental itinerary.
Morning: Assuming there isn’t a tying demo or destination film you want to attend starting in the next fifteen minutes, this is the best time to walk the aisles. Systematically go through all of the booths, taking note of companies or products that are interesting. Ask questions and don’t feel like you’re an imposition. If you want to cast a fly rod, this is usually the best time to do so. Most people are filtering in, so a beeline to a rod manufacturer and the casting pond will afford you some quality time with the rods you have your eye on.
Lunchtime: Nothing against the stadium-style vending at the venues themselves, but I don’t get too terribly excited about a Sysco hot dog or basket of chicken tenders. Every once in a while there is a great alternative (empanadas!) at a booth. But I like to take the opportunity to grab a local slice, burger, or plate of BBQ. If it is within a ten minute drive, it is nice to get a little fresh air and contemplate any purchases I may want to make. The only caveat is if there are a few presentations around noon I don’t want to miss. I usually have a protein bar and bottle of water on me so I don’t have to leave the hall if I don’t want to.
Afternoon: The halls start to get busier as the day goes on. You’ve also been on your feet for a while. Taking in a few presentations is a good change of pace. I like to pick one out that addresses a question/need I have, and I like to pick another that is more of a curiosity.
Late afternoon: Even if you’re not a fly tyer, it is a good idea to walk “Tyer’s Row.” Having a conversation with someone constructing a top-tier fly is a great experience. They’re not just tyers, they’re anglers too. They’re not sitting there tying in front of an audience because their flies don’t catch fish.
Early evening: If you’ve been waffling on that purchase or booking that trip, now is the time. The shows are a legitimately good opportunity to score deals and to lay hands on the actual gear you’re buying. Bare minimum, have that additional conversation so that you’re ready to pull the trigger in the coming weeks as you head to your local fly shop for the upcoming season’s gear. There are also presentations at the tail end of each day. If you want to squeeze out a little more value from your ticket, head to the “closing acts” of the show.
Post-show: Just because the lights go out doesn’t mean your day is over. Attend the Fly Fishing Film Tour, grab dinner with old or new friends, or head to the river (this is not recommended). Whatever you do, go back through the information you gleaned and get started synthesizing it into more fish in the coming season.