I've fly fished all my life.
When I was a kid I went to the shows (and they were great) with my parents.
When I was a teen and in my early 20s I didn't see the attraction of shows or club meetings
After all, all it was was a bunch of old guys talking about fishing
Why would you want to do that when you could actually go fishing..
or hang with your friends.. or chase skirts.. or (in my case) hit a bar.
Now that I am one of the old guys, club meetings and to a lesser extent, shows are more fun.
I've never been much of a consumer or a gearhead. So shows don't really do it for me.
I have no desire to check out new rods or other gear.
And I've seen lots of presentations over the years
When I do go, it's to replenish tying supplies, lines and such. The Bargains
Shows are good for that.
The simpler the outfit, the more skill it takes to manage it, and the more pleasure one gets in his achievements.
--- Horace Kephart