I went to PA for the Cabin Fever Show this past weekend. I did notice that it wasn't as well attended as in years past. The guest speaker was Lefty Kreh and we thought it would be very crowded. We had very good seats for Lefty's casting demo bought what we needed, stayed for the bucket raffle and by then the place had cleared out.
So, yes I would say on a decline.
Thanks Old Man GO IRISH!
Yes, there seem to be fewer and less varied exhibitors than in the past. It's a vicious circle: a smaller show draws smaller crowds, whch at the margin makes it less worthwhile for a potential exhibitor to go to the trouble and expense of putting together and staffing a booth. I don't know if it's true, but my impression is also that the industry is becoming more of a closed community as it shrinks. A lot of the real industry insiders who wouldn't dare miss the AFFTA trade show can't be bothered to go to the public shows and rub elbows with the customers.
Last edited by moucheur; 03-01-2013 at 11:06 AM.
I'm guessing that the incredible amount of info available on the internet has had it's effect on the shows as well.
A right emblem it may be, of the uncertain things of this world; that when men have sold them selves for them, they vanish into smoke. ~ William Bradford
I finally realized that Life is a metaphor for Fly Fishing.
It is amazing to me that we have no shows in the Chicagoland area. We used to have two.
I enjoyed going to hear some of the presentations and talk to the tiers.
We have our Utah show coming up the end of March. Wasatch Fly Tying Expo. It just gets bigger and better every year. Plus incredible Guests.
I couldn't tell you if the one out here ( which is not a dedicated fly show ) is on the decline or not, I was fishing.
All I know is, the last time I went to it, you couldn't hear the guest speakers or carry on a conversation over the constant duck calls.
Here's a thought...
Let's drop all of the In-shop parking lot fly fairs.
Let's ask the ISE & Fly F. Show to put down their swords and work together towards forming a single quality show.
Get all of the manufacturers, retailers, outfitters, clubs, FFF and Cal Trout & TU to pull together and unite behind a single show that serves all of Northern and Central California.
Position it near a major population base, closely served by a real international airport, offering a wide range of accommodation and transportation options nearby. This should be no big trick for a state with the resources of California.
Pleasanton at its zenith, wasn't a large enough venue to handle all the vendors who wanted to take part in it ( I know this from first hand exhibitor experience ) and now that the shoe is on the other foot. There isn't enough there to lure many of us north and central Californians to travel to it.
It boils down to this, build a show that's worth our time to travel to and more of us will attend for multiple days.
How many of you here, that went to the Pleasanton show, bought the two or three day pass they offered?
When the I.S.E. in San Mateo was at it's high point, late 80's early 90's how many attended it for a second, third or fourth day?
Its not so much the economy as it is the product ( the number of exhibitors and array of interests to explore. ) and it's location. Pleasanton is simply to small a venue and out of the way for many of us.
...and for the out of area exhibitors and guest speakers, it's not like Pleasanton is a quick cab ride across town from OAK, SFO, SMF or SJO.
That's my two, plus two, plus two cents.
Dave
Last edited by Dave E; 03-01-2013 at 07:22 PM.
I dunno. I have never been to one. I don't think we have them around here in Murray and Whitfield Counties (N. Ga.). And I almost never see anyone fly fishing, which is strange because there are so many great trout streams, a few even within walking distance of the house. On the rare occasion that I do meet another angler, they are always from somewhere else. I feel pretty isolated, here. As far as I know, I am the only fly fisherman here. I am sort of in the hillbilly capitol of the world, here, and most people are content to just stick a piece of corn, or Power Bait on a hook, and toss it in. It a trout bites, fine. If not, many will put on inline spinners and try to snag them.
I have to go to Chattanooga, Tn. to buy fly tying supplies.
I have tried to promote fly fishing here, but so far, it's been an exercise in futility.
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