|
|
|
|
|
Review: Fly Fishing Show, Marlboro
I headed out to Marlboro, MA this past Saturday, in search of The Fly Fishing Show. I arrived to meet Don Allard of Allard's Custom Fly Rods and some friends, at 8:00AM, and proceeded to have a quick breakfast at Starbuck's before heading over to the show. We got to the show a bit before 9:00AM, opening time, paid our entrance fee ($12.00 for one day), and waited for the 'go-ahead'. Just after 9:00 the gates were opened, and we were off.
My over all impression was that the show was a bit smaller than what I had anticipated. This was my first time to the Marlboro show, and a friend mentioned that this was the first time in a new location, and that it had indeed been bigger in the past. We cruised around the aisle, and bumped into such Mainer's as John Kenealy of Mountain Valley Flies in Solon, at his booth with his hand-crafted split cane rods, as well as Dan Legere of The Maine Guide Fly Shop in Greenville. Both plan to also be at the Wilmington, MA show in March.
The show was filled with various other shops and outfitters from New England as well as other farther away places (i.e. Alaska, Labrador, etc.) The "Tying Row" was quite impressive, with the likes of Jack Gartside, Dick Talleur, and Bob Popovics to name a few. They were tying up some real interesting creations and chatting it up willingly to the eagerly questioning attendees. Some good deals were to be had on gear and books from various outfitters, I myself picked up the new Hatch Guide for New England Streams (Ames), and Nymphing Strategies (Tullis).
Reps from a lot of the top rod, reel and fly line companies were present as well, to help folks understand their offering, showcase new products for 2002 and sell some gear of course! Sage, Scott, Thomas & Thomas, Abel, Airflow, Rio and Sci-Anglers were all present.
At the casting pool in the center of the show (an 80' man made shallow impoundment), such activities as demo-ing rods, casting competitions were taking place. Also, we watched in amazement as Mark Sedotti demonstrated some amazing long-distance techniques with quite large saltwater flies, launching them WELL over a 6 foot wall at 80 feet from where he cast...for those who thought you couldn't cast those big grocery flies long distances...he'll make a believer out of ya!
I must say I was also disappointed with the seminar facilities. I admit I didn't even make it over to one, since they were held in a separate building that you needed to be shuttle-bused to...kind of a bummer. There seemed to be some neat free shows on the schedule.
All in all, it was a good day, hopefully they'll make it even better for next year!
|
|
|
|
|
|
