Fishing & Outdoors Expo, Rockford, IL

I visited another outdoors expo in Rockford, and this one was less fishing and more general outdoors. The boat show was going on as well, and I always enjoy looking at boats…always wondering when I’ll actually buy one … but I think, David has one, so why should I? ;-) Although brief, it was good seeing David here. The fishing stuff was mostly Muskie tackle, which I believe represents the ultimate hardcore in freshwater fishing. I also love looking at the antique lures … they have such character. I did not make it in time to watch the casting/ lure demo but the mobile fishing demo tank is always cool to see. The podium where the caster stands is shaped like a front of a boat, you know, so it looks more real. I bought a few unique weed-less hooks that uses a spring to guard the hook (from: www.neversnag.com). I can’t wait to turn these into big bass bugs.

Great Outdoors Expo, Woodstock, IL

I visited the Great Outdoors Expo in Woodstock, IL with my family. This wasn’t a fly fishing specific show but it was still good to meet a lot of people and see some of their products. I finally bought the Rio Spey Casting DVD, instead of trying to learn everything on Youtube, and it’s probably a good investment. I had a short but great conversation with Mr. Jim Tingey of www.catchandreleaseartwork.com and he explained the work he was doing. I also met some great guides I look forward to going out fishing with (www.rippleguides.com, www.oldausable.com). I ran into our friend Andy Kurkulis from www.chicagoflyfishingoutfitters.com and I was able to grab a few nice trout flies he had on sale for a buck. As I walked towards the seminar area I heard a familiar voice and it was Jon Uhlenhop, busy giving a seminar on "Local Fly Fishing Opportunities: Fishing within 4 hours of Chicago, 365 days a year”. Our family sat in for the last 20min of Jon's seminar and I was busy explaining to the wife that she could go and catch fish like Jon was showing on screen. I’m pretty sure my wife and kids weren’t as excited as I was, but it was a nice opportunity to show them the kind of nice people that are in the fishing world.