New show is all about fishing
A new sportsmen’s snow coming to the Spokane Convention Center next weekend is dedicated to anglers.
The Great Western Sportfishing Show will open Friday at noon with nearly 100 exhibitors, mostly focused on fishing in the Northwest, according to promoter Merle Shuyler of Selah.
Exhibitors will cover a wide range from fly fishing to warmwater and saltwater fishing, he said.
Retailers will be selling boats and fishing gear; factory reps will display new products; several local outdoors clubs and organizations will have displays and outfitters will be booking trips for species such as bass, walleye, salmon, trout and steelhead, he said.
The show is prime time to sign-up for the Spokane Fly Fishers’ annual late-winter fly-fishing school.
The first 75 people through the door each day will be given fanny packs filled with fishing tackle and a hat, courtesy of the White Elephant, Shuyler said. All ticket holders have a chance to win a two-day fishing trip for five people up the Snake River into Hells Canyon, courtesy of Snake River Adventures.
Seminars will be going on during the show’s three days at three different venues, including a fly-tying theater and a large casting pool. Headlining the list of speakers are:
Fly fishing – Widely known professionals and authors Jim Teeny, Brian Chan and Skip Morris on special fishing techniques, plus regional experts talking about fishing Crab Creek, Western Montana and the Yakima River.
Big waters – Guides and pro anglers Anton Jones, Ray Bailey, Shane Magnuson, Nate Luther and Shawn Bongers will present programs on fishing salmon, trout and steelhead at Lake Chelan, Snake River, Lake Pend Oreille, Kootenay Lake, Rufus Woods, Lake Roosevelt and the Columbia River.
Warm waters – Bobby Forster, Robert Ploof, John Carruth, Seth Burrill, Joey Nania and Bob Adkinson will be talking about the best techniques and places in this region to catch walleye, bass, and pike.
Youth activities include a casting clinic that will send kids ages 6-12 home with new skills and a new fishing rod and reel or other prizes from Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Other highlights include an antique fishing tackle collection and a fish-fighting simulator.