Game Fish Show Will Benefit Angling Projects

Sun., Jan. 4, 1998

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

‘Tis the season for sportsmen’s shows. But be advised: They’re not all created equal.

The Northwest Game Fish Show, which will run Friday through Sunday at Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds, has a home-grown flavor. Best of all, the profits are plowed back into regional fishing projects.

Unlike shows that are run by corporations, the 13th annual Game Fish Show is sponsored by the Spokane Walleye Club and White’s Boots.

Proceeds from this year’s show are earmarked for building a handicapped-accessible fishing dock at Fish Lake in Spokane County, said Russ Oberlander, show director.

Attending the show is perhaps the cheapest and easiest way to support anglers who work every year to improve the region’s fishing opportunities.

Projects the Walleye Club has sponsored using funds from the annual show include:

Helping to acquire a fish spawning boat for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Department.

Building a picnic pavilion at Locust Grove boat access on Lake Roosevelt near Kettle Falls.

Building a handicapped-accessible dock for Bear Lake County Park.

Purchasing fish egg incubators for use with all state fishery programs.

Sending a state fisheries biologist to a course on electro-shocking techniques.

Supporting state fisheries research projects.

The show includes exhibitors from major fishing tackle manufacturers and fishing boat dealers such as Skipper Bills, Sunset Marine, Valley Marine, Kootenai Saw and Cycle.

The Inland Empire Bass Club will be offering practice tips for kids interested in entering the national Casting Kids competition later this winter.

“We’ll have seminars every hour on fishing for walleye, panfish, salmon and steelhead,” Oberlander said. “One guide will be talking about downrigging; Jim Burns will be talking about finding your way with GPS.”

Admission is $5; kids under 6 get in free. Tickets for seniors are $3 on Friday. You’ll find discount coupons at 7-Up displays in supermarkets around Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. Bring a can of food for the Spokane Food Bank and get $1 off the ticket price.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: OUTDOOR SHOWS Hunting, fishing and boating shows are packing the calendar for the next few months. The top ones include: Northwest Game Fish Show,* Friday - Sunday, Spokane Interstate Fairground. Info: (509) 624-2928. Washington Sportsmen’s Show, Jan. 12-25 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup. Info: (800) 343-6973. Seattle Boat Show, Jan. 16-25, Kingdome, Seattle. International Sportsmens Exposition, Feb. 4-8, Kingdome, Seattle. Info: (360) 693-3700. Big Horn Sports and Recreation Show,* March 19-22, Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Info: 487-8564. * Indicates show profits are earmarked for fish and wildlife projects.

This sidebar appeared with the story: OUTDOOR SHOWS Hunting, fishing and boating shows are packing the calendar for the next few months. The top ones include: Northwest Game Fish Show,* Friday - Sunday, Spokane Interstate Fairground. Info: (509) 624-2928. Washington Sportsmen’s Show, Jan. 12-25 at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup. Info: (800) 343-6973. Seattle Boat Show, Jan. 16-25, Kingdome, Seattle. International Sportsmens Exposition, Feb. 4-8, Kingdome, Seattle. Info: (360) 693-3700. Big Horn Sports and Recreation Show,* March 19-22, Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds. Info: 487-8564. * Indicates show profits are earmarked for fish and wildlife projects.