In the last 20 months, most fly fishers have been able to get out on the water without too many hassles. For all the inconveniences and serious caution that we’ve had to endure, the rivers and the fish haven’t been significantly impacted.
However, there are plenty of other fly fishing activities that have been on hold.
Even though the quarry has been generally accessible, other aspects of the culture have taken a pretty consequential hit. Although it might sound about as counterintuitive to what most people are looking for in fly fishing, group gatherings play a crucial role in what we do. Fly tying nights, conservation banquets, and outdoor expos are all important for our sport and important for us.
For thousands and thousands of fly fishers from California to Massachusetts, The Fly Fishing Show is one of the most noteworthy gatherings of the year. There was no show circuit in 2021, but everything is full steam ahead for 2022. Here are three things you will get if you attend a stop of The Fly Fishing Show in your region this winter:
Get Excited
If you can spend a few hours walking around a convention center filled with fly fishing and fly fishers, and not walk out of there excited for the coming season, there’s some kind of disconnect. It isn’t fishing, but it is fishing adjacent. Just like reading an outdoors novel, flipping through a gear catalog, or scrolling through the previous season’s pictures, it gets you excited for the next time you’re outside on the water.
This contagious excitement works on those who might not be already prone to infection, too. That is to say, bring your kids, spouse, and friends who don’t fly fish. Do it well (buy them lunch out) and they’ll appreciate your hobby more. Do it really well, and they’ll encourage you in your pursuit. Play your cards right, and they’ll potentially ask to join you.
Get Ready
Seminars are included with your admission. Another way to look at it? You’re paying for them. That means you’ve already invested in sitting in and listening to some of the most effective communicators in fly fishing – you might as well actually sit and listen.
Is there a destination you’re considering?
Is there an angling technique that you’ve heard about but don’t really get?
Is YouTube good, but not great, for fly tying instruction?
See if there’s a seminar, spend 45 minutes listening to the presentation, and then ask questions.
Get Stuff
If you need a brand new something, there are few places better suited to help you procure said something than The Fly Fishing Show. You can cast rods. You can feel fly tying tools. You can pick the exact bucktail you want. You can try on waders. You can touch, compare, and ask questions. Even if the item is not for sale at the show, you can now make a beeline to your local fly shop with all of your research already done.
Plus, for most people it is fun to browse. It is fun to have an enthusiastic product designer tout the features in the latest iteration of their gear. It is fun to go into a show with a mission to get an item and leave successful.
After a year off, here are the planned dates for The Fly Fishing Show in 2022:
Marlborough, MA – Jan 21, 22 & 23 – Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
Edison, NJ – Jan 28, 29 & 30 – New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Atlanta, GA – Feb 4 & 5 – Gas South Convention Center
Denver, CO – Feb 11, 12 & 13 – Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center
Pleasanton, CA – Feb 25, 26 & 27 – Almeda County Fairgrounds
Lancaster, PA – Mar 5 & 6 – Lancaster County Convention Center
Head to The Fly Fishing Show website for tickets or more information.