Winter Sportsmen's Shows

Washington Sportsmen's Show
http://www.otshows.com/WSS/wss.htm
January 23 - 27, 2008
Western Washington Fairgrounds
Puyallup, Washington

Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show
http://www.otshows.com/PNWSS/pnwss.htm
February 6 - 10, 2008
Portland Expo Center
Portland, Oregon

Evergreen Sportsmen's Show
http://www.otshows.com/ESS/ess.htm
February 21 - 24, 2008
Evergreen State Fairgrounds
Monroe, Washington

Central Oregon Sportsmen's Show
http://www.otshows.com/COSS/coss.htm
February 28 - March 2, 2008
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
Redmond, Oregon

Fraser Valley Boat & Sportsmen's Show
http://www.reel-shows.com/sportsmen/index.html
March 7 - 9, 2008
Tradex
Abbotsford, British Columbia

I just checked out the OTSHOWS site.   They have a lot of shows in OR/WA but none of them have any kayak fishing or even kayak related exhibitors listed.  Plenty of fishing stuff though, so I'll probably go to the one in Portland in early February.

Does anyone know of any shows coming through the general area that might be a little more suitable for our particular demographic.

Brian

Does anyone know of any shows coming through the general area that might be a little more suitable for our particular demographic.

No.  Maybe next year.  I'm working on it.   

-Allen

Is anyone planning on attending the "Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show" in Portland later next week?  I've been asked to volunteer some time at an "invasive species information" booth for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission.  Anyway, I was wondering which days people might be around so that I can plan my volunteer hours accordingly and maybe meet a few more local members.

See you there,
Brian

Brian,

Are you going for sure?  I have some "assignments" for you.   

-Allen

I still have to check with my wife, but it gets me in for free and I earn points with my lab for volunteering.  Most of the other potential volunteers for the booth have little interest in a sportsmen's show.  I'll probably do an afternoon or two there.

Let me know what assignments you have and I'll see what I can do.

Brian

the puyallup sportmans show was ok.. more camping and hunting than fishing, tho there were a lot of tackle dealers present in small booths.  . plenty of regular fossil burin boats there, but just a nucanoe dealer and a hobie dealer named jen for paddle craft unless you want to add in some rowboats and inflatable catarafts/pontooners. it was nothing even close to the size of the seattle boat show is, but then i think you guys know that.

allen, didnt you tell me there is a kayak show of some type in the spring in tacoma at point defiance?

 

allen, didnt you tell me there is a kayak show of some type in the spring in tacoma at point defiance?

I posted the details here ... http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,830.0.html

-Allen

thank you..

What to do?  What to do?

I kind of want to make a day trip down to the Portland show this weekend because I heard it's the biggest of the Sportsmen's shows.  The other half of me is going to take a left and head towards Crystal and get a day of riding in, although my shoulder still pains me.

Brian, your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to chat up whatever resorts show up (which is usually a lot) and see if anyone is interested in starting up some kayak fishing programs this year.  If you could also stop by the Hawgquest booth and chat up Glen about having a kayak fishing show.  I've chatted with him before and need to keep mindshare with him.  He'll turn one of these days.

-Allen

Allen,

My duty hours at the invasive species booth are Wed from 3-7pm.  However, given that some of the exhibitors might not even be there by Wed, I'm planning on coming back during the weekend.  Let me know if you decide to make the trip down.

I'll see what I can do regarding your assignments.  Any particular resort areas (I have no idea what is represented there) that I should concentrate on?

Brian

I'll see what I can do regarding your assignments.  Any particular resort areas (I have no idea what is represented there) that I should concentrate on?

Cool.  Alaska and BC are interesting.  Some resorts in the past have expressed an interest in trading stay at their resort in exchange for setting up kayaks and/or training local staff.  Or a discount rate for the first group to do this.  I can't help but think this is a great way to do a trip on the cheap.

-Allen

Looks like I managed to switch my Wed at the show to a Saturday afternoon.  If anyone shows up and wants to say "hi", I'll be at the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission "invasive species" booth 1549 in Hall E .

OK.  So the boss doesn't want me gone for a whole day this weekend.     So I won't be able to come down for this one.  I suppose I'll go fishing with Zee on the big lake and try to get some AOTY points up.

-Allen

No worries, I'd rather be fishing myself.  Depending on river conditions (esp: re: snow melt from Mt. Hood) I may go steelhead fishing tomorrow from the bank.  No AOTY points, but it'll be my first day fishing in over two months.

Brian