Dale Bowman, Outdoor columnist for the Sun-Times gave me a call on Monday night for a piece he was writing about the faltering fishing trade shows and conventions for the Chicago market. Knowing who I was, he was looking for some perspectives from a younger angler and I was humbled to tell him how I felt.
Read the story here —> Big Weekend Ahead
Or read the entire article and upcoming show line-up below:
Big weekend ahead
OUTDOORS | New Rosemont event highlights show-going possibilities
January 27, 2010BY DALE BOWMAN outdoordb@sbcglobal.netJust like the old days, Babe Winkelman, Spence Petros, Jim Saric and Ted Takasaki are on the seminar schedule at ”The Rosemont Show.”
But there’s also new stuff at America’s Outdoor Show, the revamped and renamed general-audience outdoor show that opens this afternoon at the Stephens Convention Center.
Things such as Mike Iaconelli with an innovative sit-down Sunday with team members from high schools involved in Illinois’ groundbreaking bass-fishing tournament.
There’s Mike Ventresca, the wacky chef/ outdoorsman from out McHenry way. I think Petros bestowed the nickname ”Chef Green Acres” on him. Ventresca will be preparing and cooking wild fish and game throughout the show.
”If you can kill it, we can grill it,” he told me.
His is the new spot I am most interested in seeing.
Dan Hampton and Ramblin’ Ray are showing off their wild sides. Chauncey Niziol has his hands in the children’s area. There is an emphasis on drawing family and kids back to the show.
”This is supposed to be fun,” new show owner Jim Sugarman said.
On that note, he is absolutely right.
And the buzz is back — for maybe the first time in 15 years.
Ultimately, the question is whether buzz and fun will be enough to bring show-goers back to a big, general-audience outdoor show in the Chicago area — especially a show where big retailers and reps from the major manufacturers are missing.
I don’t know the answer. I know the world of Chicago outdoors has changed radically since ”The Rosemont Show” started a hard fall in the late 1990s.
The Internet has altered how we exchange information, including booking trips. The major big-box stores for the outdoors — Bass Pro and Cabela’s — have established multiple outposts in the Chicago area.
For a younger perspective, I talked with Andrew Ragas, who is finishing a major in communications and a minor in graphic design at Loyola. The 23-year-old from Westchester already is working in the multiple platforms of modern outdoor media.
He nicely summed up the problem.
”When I was younger, I often used to go with my dad to a few shows each year — Rosemont was one,” he said. ”But like everyone else, we stopped going. Lately, it’s been just the [Chicago Muskie Show at Harper College in Palatine].
”A lot of my lack of participation in attending probably has to do with a lack of motivation and the mentality that I’ve already seen it all elsewhere, not needing any more junk for the tackle boxes and refusal to pay prices for admissions and parking.”
But there is a social side to show-going, too, which Ragas noted: ”Just for the communications for putting a face to the name.”
I agree. There’s something to be said for looking a resort owner in the eye. You can’t do that on a Web site.
And there is simply the fun of gathering. The weekend will be brutally cold, a perfect one to mill around a show and dream with similar sorts.
And this is a big weekend for outdoor shows, with America’s Outdoor Show being joined by Strictly Sail Chicago at Navy Pier and the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo at Pheasant Run in St. Charles.
Stray castI’m not sure which flubbing is more comical in a twisted way: the Bears’ quest for coordinators or the battle to stop Asian carp. I know which matters.
SHOWTIME
AMERICA’S OUTDOOR SHOWWhen: Today-Sunday at Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont.Tickets: $10; kids 6-16 free on weekdays, $5 on weekend days; kids 5 and younger free. Discounts for seniors, women, high school bass teams, etc.
Parking: $12. Or use the CTA lot for $5 and ride a shuttle or walk.
Kids? Yes. Special area, archery range, Dan Armitage seminars.
Money talk: Money-back guarantee.
Winter heat: Bikini Ice Fishing Team’s fashion show Friday night.
Hot stuff: Babe Winkelman, Spence Petros, Mike Iaconelli, Jim Saric, Ted Takasaki.
Bright lights: Dan Hampton (5-7 p.m. Thursday), Ramblin’ Ray (6-8 p.m. Thursday).
Drawing back: Blackhawk Field Archers present the I.B.O. 2010 Illinois State Championship/World Qualifier. Contact Brenda Lee at (708) 567-7431 or at brenda@blackhawkfieldarchers.com.
Throwing down: Mike Ventresca prepares and cooks any and all things wild throughout the show.
Info: americasoutdoorshow.com.
STRICTLY SAIL CHICAGOWhen: Thursday-Sunday at Navy Pier.Tickets: $12 on weekdays, $15 on weekend days, two-day pass for $24; kids 15 and younger free.
Parking: Discounted to $10 for attendees.
Kids? Yes. Kid’s Club, a hands-on activity area.
Info: strictlysailchicago.com.
GREAT WATERS FLY FISHING EXPOWhen: Friday-Sunday at Pheasant Run, St. Charles.Tickets: $15; $10 for those 65 and older; $5 for students; kids 11 and younger free.
Parking: Free.
Muskie on the fly: Robert Tomes, 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Smallmouth on the fly: Tim Holsclag, 4:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
Carp on the fly: Larry Gavin, 9:15 a.m. Saturday.
Just sounds good: Joseph Meyer of One More Cast in Countryside on the Driftless Region, sustainable foods, organic cooking, cheese-tasting, 10 a.m. Saturday.
Kids: Yes. Beginning fly-tying will be taught.
Info: greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com.