Who woulda thought there'd be so much fishing in Las Vegas?
First a Bass Pro Shops, now the Las Vegas International Sportsmen's Expo?
I plan on attending at least the second half of this week's show, which runs Feb. 2-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
If any of our readers or brands that follow About Fly Fishing are in attendance, be sure to drop me an email and we can connect at the show. I'm told by organizers (see the comment from ISE Director of Communications John Kirk below) there won't be much in terms of fly fishing at this particular show, but I'm still looking forward to checking out some fishing gear, apparel and other 2012 sportsmen's products at this particular show.
Like myself, most outdoors fans and weekend warriors will likely attend Saturday's final day, which has plenty on tap in terms of the seminars:
Saturday morning, Bass Pro and Host of Ultimate Bass Radio Kent Brown opens with a presentation on Ultimate Bass.
The host of Jarrett Edwards Outdoors TV is next up with "Tips from the West's Top Anglers," followed by California Outdoor Hall of Famer Steve Carson, who will speak about San Diego Saltwater Fishing.
Being a West Coast guy, I'm looking forward to all of the above presentations.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife will also present in the afternoon with some tips on fishing outside of Las Vegas and throughout Nevada.
If you've never been, there are actually some awesome fly fishing waters in the state, including the Carson River, Truckee River, Walker River, along with dozens of lakes and reservoirs. I've written about the Truckee and Walker, and anyone who reads the blog knows I'm a big fan of the Fishing the Lake Tahoe Area.
Have a fishing product you want reviewed? Contact us at flyfishing.guide@about.com to get your product on our boat, in our tackle box and on the Web site.
Comments
Brian—
Thank you VERY much for helping to spread the word about the new ISE Las Vegas, which opens next Thursday at the Las Vegas Convention Center!
However, I want to let you know that this show will NOT have much fly fishing at all! Yes, fly fishing legend Terry and Wendy Gunn (Wendy Hanvold) will attend, and Tim Linehan, too, from TU TV and elsewhere. But we’ll have no fly-fishing factories or retailers at this first show.
Why not?
Well, our local research said that fly fishing was not a big activity, primarily because there isn’t fly water close to town. The Sierras, yes, but they are hours away. Some warmwater, yes, but not much. So, given our partnership with RMEF, this first show is heavy on hunting, plus our inclusion of Alaska, SoCal and Mexico fishing.
Again, you have raised the expectation level, and your readers will be disappointed if they come looking for much fly fishing. Please set the record straight!
This will be a new type of ISE: much more hunting, plus guns and major firearm factories showing new products. That hasn’t been the case with other ISE.
Thank you, again, for helping to get the word out, but I don’t want people to expect something that we’ve never said we’re bringing: fly fishing to Vegas. At least in year one. Afterward…who knows?
Bad move not including fly fishing companies. With the ‘Las Vegas Fly Fishing’ shop running itself into the ground several years ago, Sportsman’s Warehouse shutting down months after opening, and a ridiculously lacking fly fishing selection at Bass Pro Shops, an expo with fly fishing booths could have capitalized in the Las Vegas area. I know the entire group of guys I went with were ready to pounce on anything Simms or Sage. I’d hire some new “local researchers”.