“After taking a year off, and with COVID still out there, how are the fishing shows going to be this year?”

I’ve heard this question plenty of times over the past few months. I’ve asked it myself. But now I can answer with a little bit of authority after spending the day at the initial stop of The Fly Fishing Show in Edison, NJ.

On a cold, flurry-filled New Jersey morning, I walked the convention center floor. My time was spent catching up with friends and industry acquaintances, getting ideas for site and podcast content, and thinking about my own upcoming fly fishing. I was also interested in seeing how the show would be in the new normal.

Honestly, it wasn’t exactly the same as 2020. But I think that was to be expected. However, it wasn’t bad. The impending Nor’easter and the Omicron spike weren’t ideal conditions. Those who ventured out still got a lot of value. “People are just happy to get out,” said Beau Beasley, director of the Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival. His show was earlier in the month, also facing weather and virus-related concerns. “Everyone still had a great time; folks walking around and exhibitors. It’s good to be getting back to normal.”

If you’re planning on getting back to normal by catching a fly fishing expo this winter or spring, here are four things you’ll inevitably enjoy:

Classes Late morning on Friday, I walked over to a fly tying demonstration with a presenter. There were flurries outside, and a little bit of uncertainty regarding the turnout. I left him to set up his materials and tools. I came back about 15 minutes later to a good sized crowd. Consistently, the fly tying demonstrations and presentations had people. Perhaps more importantly, the presenters were there and invested in whoever was there to watch.

Conversations Booths were rarely two or three people deep. That means that interested attendees were able to have legitimate conversations with exhibitors. As good as touching reels, observing fly tying, and browsing displays are, they don’t hold a candle to actually talking to someone. If you wanted to ask a guide or outfitter more than a few cursory questions, you had the opportunity at the show. These moments allow curious anglers to truly discern between this and that location, or guide A and B.

Shopping Honestly, I was a little bit concerned once 9 o’clock hit. As soon as the show opened I was standing with some brand representatives and it didn’t seem like there was that usual rush of people coming in to browse around. Then, I’ve ventured to another part of the expo hall and sour everyone was: one of the fly shops. There were at least four retail stores represented at the New Jersey show. All day, each one has a steady stream of shoppers. The “30% off” and “one dozen flies for $10“ signs probably helped. For fly fishers who don’t have a local shop nearby, the pop-up showing from regional fly shops is a chance to get what they need at a good price.

People Getting Out Something that I said numerous times during my time at the show, and something that I heard repeated by a number of attendees and exhibitors, was that it was good to just get back out again. Without getting into the weeds regarding COVID, it is safe to say that things still aren’t normal. Spending the day walking around an exhibition hall in January is, at least for fly fishers, normal. And while no fish were caught, it was a very good thing.

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Check out the rest of the stops for The Fly Fishing Show.

The sister to the Virginia show mentioned above is the Texas Fly Fishing & Brew Festival.