Beat the Winter Blues with a Boating and Fishing Show
Ok, New Year’s Day is over. For those of us outside the tropical or near-tropical regions, our boats are in dry dock, our reels are packed in grease, and our rods are stowed away. If we head out for some winter steelhead, ice fishing, or hopping a plane to a warmer climate then we’re still logging some time on the water. And if our answer is D, none of the above, then there are plenty of fishing and boating shows that will keep our depression at bay.
I’ve always enjoyed fishing and boating shows. Many of the seminars are first rate, and there is a lot of great information presented by many knowledgeable speakers. I enjoy seeing shows about areas I know little about, and I really enjoy presentations about species, conservation, and techniques. It goes without saying that seeing new gear and new boats is always a welcome part of the show circuit. There are a ton of different shows that go off in every region. Some are held in civic centers, others are sponsored by local groups, and still others are offered by fishing shops or boat yards.
In the end, what I enjoy most about the shows is being around like-minded people. It’s fun to swap stories with folks with whom I share a common interest. There is a lot of unsettling news these days, but you won’t find it at a fishing and boating show. What you’ll find at these events reminds me of a Beach Boys song Fun, Fun, Fun.
So this winter, don’t let the lack of fishing or boating get you down. Head to a show. Here are some of the many, and if you have some favorites, please feel free to post them. I’m sure others will like to go.
The Suffern Sport Show, Suffern, NY, February 28 – March 3, 2013
Baltimore Boat Show, February 28 – March 3, 2013
Fly Fishing Show, Lancaster, PA, March 2-3, 2013
Fred Hall Show, Long Beach, CA, March 6-10, 2013
The Saltwater Fishing Expo, Somerset, NJ, March 15-17, 2013
Northwest Sportshow, Minneapolis, MN, March 21-24, 2013
Fred Hall Show, San Diego, CA, March 21-24, 2013
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Tom Keer
Tom Keer is an award-winning writer who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He is a columnist for the Upland Almanac, a Contributing Writer for Covey Rise magazine, a Contributing Editor for both Fly Rod and Reel and Fly Fish America, and a blogger for the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation’s Take Me Fishing program. Keer writes regularly for over a dozen outdoor magazines on topics related to fishing, hunting, boating, and other outdoor pursuits. When they are not fishing, Keer and his family hunt upland birds over their three English setters. His first book, a Fly Fishers Guide to the New England Coast was released in January 2011. Visit him at www.tomkeer.com or at www.thekeergroup.com.