Days and evenings spent at various outdoor expos are important for Casting Across and a lot of fun for me, personally. But there is a three-hour chunk of time that gets written in ink on the calendar by my kids. Since 2018, the boys get a morning or afternoon at The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA.
Since we homeschool, we’re able to head down on the less-busy Friday. They pretty much dictate what we look at and how much time we spend doing so. As the oldest two are getting more responsible, I let them have a little bit of independence. Add in some fast food, and it is a mark on the calendar that we all look forward to.
After our 2024 trip, I asked them what their favorite part of the Show was. Here’s what each of them cited as a highlight… along with the swag each they picked up.
The 11 year old.
What he liked: Jeff Currier had him totally locked in. For the entire casting demonstration, he was stuck to the edge of the pool. Even when younger siblings got squirmy and had to walk, he said he’d camp out until the end of the presentation. When he found us, he commented that it really got him excited about exploring the river behind our new home.
What he went home with: Being a big kid, he went in with his own (rather large) roll of cash. He picked up an Orvis kids’ fly fishing guide and a package of Cajun alligator jerky. Of course.
The 9 year old.
What he liked: This is a kid who wants to see everything… at the same time. In his words, he liked “the whole show.” Content to make lap after lap, he did his best to take it all in within the hours we were there. And as a lover of technology, it was the TroutRoutes tablet that eventually slowed him down.
What he went home with: Along with a backpack brimming with stickers and snacks, he added another knit beanie to his impressive headwear collection.
The 7 year old.
What he liked: A natural artist, and a budding fly tyer, he walked slowly and deliberately down tyer’s row. If it would have just been him and me, he would have stopped and watched each tyer construct a fly – and be perfectly content. In particular, he soaked in every detail of Bart Lombardo’s colorful panfish flies and the streamer given to him by Lou DiGena.
What he went home with: He’s infatuated with foxes. So he bought a full fox tail from a tying material supplier.
The 5 year old.
What he liked: Little kids like big things. So, it was the big colorful displays and the big racks of fly rods that caught his eye. And he quickly hopped up into the bed of the pickup in the Four Wheel Campers booth. Fascinated by every nook and cranny, I had to lure him out with some chocolate.
What he went home with: A ridiculously large flat brimmed hat. And a tiny knot-tying guide. Good choices.
Have kids in your life? Whether you have already taken them fishing or plan on doing so in the near future, bring them along to a fishing show. It is a great way to get them excited, get quality time with them, and get a handful of stickers for all the surfaces in your home.