The Show Must Go On

When I first started seriously bass fishing in the mid-1990s, the big wintertime deal here in Virginia was Bassarama, held at the Richmond Fairgrounds. There was also a comparable Bass Expo in Timonium, Maryland. Several years I went to both, even though many of the vendors were the same.

Back then, there was no Tackle Warehouse. The internet was in its infancy. Oftentimes those shows were where we saw products we’d read about in Bassmaster for the first time. Pros we’d only seen on TV or once a year when they came to the Potomac or the James would be there in the flesh. We’d connect with anglers from around the region we’d been paired with in various tournaments. I loved going, although I wanted to do it on my terms. I never had any desire whatsoever to work on behalf of a vendor or exhibitor.

The shows aren’t what they once were. That’s largely because it’s no longer a once-a-year opportunity to see the latest and greatest products. From the second you read about it on the internet or hear about something from your fishing buddy, it’s generally possible to track down even small scale regional items.

Many years, citing the hassle of getting there and the fact that I’ll likely leave empty-handed, I stay at home rather than make the haul to the show. But over time, I’ve realized that I miss the camaraderie. Even though I’m extremely introverted and love to fish alone, fishing for me is a very social sport. In an era of being ultra-connected, I sometimes miss the in-person gatherings.

Oddly enough, I even enjoy working the shows now. I will be at the Texas Trophy Hunters Show on behalf of a client, and my wife and I will represent that same client at the Nashville Safari Club show in February. In between, we’ll be at the Chicagoland fishing show on behalf of our own fishing travel business, Half Past First Cast. We also hope to get a meaningful amount of time at the Classic Expo, not running or manning a booth, but rather gathering information to share on various websites and in several magazines.

If you see us at any of those shows, please come up and let’s talk fishing.

And if there’s a show in your area, or within reasonable driving distance, try to support them. Yes, in some cases they’ve been overrun by Wonder Mops, gutter guards and knives that can slice a penny in half, but if we don’t support those who give us a place to gather, their demise will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It’s the same deal with good, local tackle shops. If you have one, support them. The internet has great value, and has helped the fishing industry in many ways, but ultimately this sport is about showing up.