Did you get a chance to go to a fly fishing show this winter? There are definitely still some local events in March and into April, but most shows – including The Fly Fishing Show‘s three month circuit, wrapped up this past weekend.

Honestly, there are a number of reasons to attend these gatherings. Booking guided trips, learning from the experts, and buying that one  item (plus five) you just had to have are usually on the top of most anglers’ lists.

Something that is, to one degree or another, inherent in all of the aforementioned activities is interaction. Even if a sales rep is simply walking you through the features of the latest chest pack, there is a personal touch that you won’t get from an online shopping experience. Seminars, casting demonstrations, and talking options with potential guides are all certainly relational. For a sport that is stereotypically portrayed  as an individualistic pursuit, there is actually a lot of focus on interaction.

That interaction is something that I truly enjoy about fly fishing shows. Guides I’ve used in the past, former coworkers, and  co-laborers in conservation are all “walking the aisles.”  And, in person, I get a chance to connect with people from across the country who I know from online communication.  It is fun to talk face-to-face with someone who made the rod you use or wrote a book you enjoy.

This past weekend in Lancaster, I had three conversations that I’d like to share with you. All three were with people that do something in the fly fishing world and then write about it.  Keep reading and check out these three blogs from some great people:

Ducks Dogs & Driftboats

Wesley Hodges, fly fishing guide and duck hunter, writes this blog. But it belongs to him and Cooper – his dog. If you’ve ever owned a good dog, you can appreciate this. Wesley fishes from Virginia’s Blue Ridge to the border waters of Maine and Canada. He writes about more than fly fishing, though. There is fly fishing, but also duck hunting, fly tying, just being outdoors, and, of course, Cooper. He’s… they’ve got an interesting story to tell, so I suggest checking it out.

Natives Fly Fishing

If you’re a fly fishing apparel company these days, how do you set yourself apart? Natives Fly Fishing, out of West Virginia, does so with their unique take on aesthetics as well as their focus. As their name suggest, they are all about promoting native fish.  They should do fine. An engaging, excited, and committed group of people, the Natives crew was eager to share their gear, their story, and their passion. Follow their adventures and pick up a piece of Natives apparel to support them and the fish.

Brothers Outdoors

Jordan and Ethan didn’t have a booth at the show. But, like so many interactions at these events, they are friends of a friend. We got talking about writing and fly fishing, and I happily read through their blog when I got home. To see to young guys engaged holistically in fishing, hunting, and the outdoors in general is refreshing. In a culture where a picture is perceived as sufficient for 1,000 words, Brothers Outdoors actually does both to form a well-rounded and interesting perspective.

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I can’t make any promises that you’ll be able to meet the people I’ve mentioned above at next year’s fly fishing shows. What I can ensure is that you’ll enjoy their writing and appreciate their websites. And, because the fly fishing culture exists in a pretty small world, you may very well get to say “hi” in person some day and share your own story.