by John Kruse, January 09, 2007
The winter months are a slow time for many anglers in Washington State. Those not willing to brave the cold for ice fishing, winter steelheading or whitefishing find themselves surfing the television for fishing shows or performing some much needed maintenance on their fishing gear.
At a time like this, we can be thankful we have the sportsmen’s shows to motivate us for the coming season. Whether you are looking to book a trip, learn a few tips, or buy something big or small outdoors wise, these shows are a real godsend!
Things start off with the Tri-Cities Sportsmen Show at the TRAC in Pasco from January 19th to the 21st. This South Central Washington show is put on each year by Schuyler Productions. In addition to lots of exhibitors, you can take in fishing and hunting seminars, learn how to do Dutch oven cooking, or try your hand at an indoor archery shoot. There is a fishing pond for the kids, as well as an air rifle range and a balloon shoot where youngsters can try their hands at archery.
Perhaps the biggest show of the year takes place at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup from January 24th through the 28th. O’Laughlin shows puts on a huge event here every year that takes most people several hours to work their way through. There are tons of North American lodges and resorts, several sporting goods stores, tackle manufacturers, boat and RV dealers, and more to peruse. In addition to that, there is always a solid schedule of seminars and demonstrations relating to general fishing, fly fishing, camp cooking and hunting that are worth attending.
Shuyler Productions travel to the Yakima Sun Dome to put the Central Washington Sportsmen Show from February 16th through the 18th. The same attractions found at the Tri-Cities show will also be found here. Check out http://www.shuylerproductions.com/
To find out more about hours of operation and other details regarding the Tri-Cities and Yakima shows.
If you didn’t get to Puyallup, many of the same exhibitors will be at the Evergreen Sportsmen’s Show at the State fairgrounds in Monroe from February 21st through the 25th. You can find out more about the O’Laughlin Trade Shows from their web site at http://www.oloughlintradeshows.com/sportshow.php.
Finally, don’t forget to drop by the Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane. The show runs from March 15th through the 18th and rumor has it that our own Mike Carey, the editor of Washingtonlakes.com, will be there this year. Mike will be one of over 325 exhibitors expected to be here again this year. Check out www.wildlifecouncil.com/bighornsubsite for more info.