International Outdoor expo should be renamed Hunting and outfitter show

[TheFishSlayer]

What was your opinion? I for one am not a hunter our a flyfisherman so the only booth I was really interested in was the Maniac booth. I expected to see some fishing demos or something in that area. Maybe i was there at the wrong time. Regardless thank you James for the good deals on Maniac Minnows. My go to bait. James was also the only one that I saw that had a tank to show what his lures did in action.
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[a_bow_nut]

I quit going years ago for this very reason.


Boats, trailers, and guides are fine, but they aren't the only games in town.

Does Sportsmans or Cabelas even show up with some gear to look at anymore?
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[TylerKunz]

Agreed... No sportsmans or cabelas. All hunting! I don't hunt at all so I walked past 90% of it all. Picked up a nice shimano rid for $20 bucks but that's about it.
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[wiperhunter2]

No one stopped at the Kokanee Creek booth? I heard they had some good deals on their gear. What booth had the shimano for $20?
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[TheScout]

I couldn't figure out why Scheels didn't have a booth this year??? No Cabelas, no sportsmans, no Scheels...nothing. Rocky Mountain Tackle, Maniac, and Kokanee Creek was it...ly I missed the Kokanee Creek booth...I was even looking for it...found out later it was tucked away in the South West corner sharing a spot with Pinnacle Marine. I even checked the vendor printout with all the names of the vendors but Kokanee Creek wasn't listed[mad]

Rocky Mountain Tackle did put on some seminars that were kinda fun...Rob Chambers talked about downrigging for kokes (In front of his new SWEEEEEET boat I might add), Ashley Bonser was there sharing tips on jigging for macks and catching the slimy ling, Jared Johnson also talked about Kokanee fishing as well.

All in all, if you are a freshwater fishermen, there wasn't much there! Sure wish they would make a few changes for that. We used to get some pretty sweet deals when Sportsmans came and would clearance out a lot of their gear...hint, hint, HINT!!! It was still better than a day at work however.

It was also kinda fun to watch the taxidermy association put on their mule deer and bird challenges. Thumbs up to Shawn Shaw for getting that there!
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[TylerKunz]

[quote wiperhunter2]No one stopped at the Kokanee Creek booth? I heard they had some good deals on their gear. What booth had the shimano for $20?[/quote] it was at the rocky mtn tackle booth... It's the stimula rod so it's only like 5 bucks off compared to other places but I needed one so I bought it.
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[Javelin18]

I stopped by the kokenee creek display and had a good visit with fellow BFTer. This is only my second year going to this sportshow out west here so I can see why so much disapointment.....The sportshows in the mid west are just outstanding as far as takle and demos go, plus much more fishing gear and wider display of fishing boats. still a fun time and maybe plan a few trips.
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[wiperhunter2]

Years ago when Sportsmans still had a booth at the Expo, you could get some great deals. For several years they offered two manual down riggers for $100. One year I got one of those huge Lake trout nets for $5, they always had some great deals one lures and baits. Sadly those days are over but you got to hope they will be back again[:/]. If your planning on going on a fishing trip they still are a good place to check out but the way the economy is, it is tough for most folks to think about trips.
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[TheFishSlayer]

Yea I'm originally from Iowa so I know what you mean. And that's what I was expecting to. I did stop at the Kokanee creek display too. But heck I remember back home at a small fair they had this big trailer/tank and they would go over different techniques. They had fish in there and you could see them react to the same baits differently with different techniques. That's the kind of thing I expected.

I can't even afford to even thing about going on a vacation or trip at this point so I really want interested in any of that.

I still had fun. I took the family down and walked around fit a few hours. It was really neat to see my daughters reaction to ALOT of the things there. She's only 15 months old so everything was knew for her. She was fascinated by the Elk mounts. So we stopped and looked at all of those. I did also enjoy the taxidermy display with all the different stuff. Hopefully next year we can get more fishing involved there.
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[BearLakeFishGuy]

I agree too. With the exception of RMT and about 2 other booths of fishing-oriented gear, its all outfitters and hunting. If I were a Scheels, Cabelas, or Sportsmans Warehouse rep, I would seriously take note. They could make a killing selling fishing equipment without much competition. Something about walking around the Expo makes you want to "buy" something.
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[TheFishSlayer]

Sir, I couldnt agree more. I had money burning a whole in my pocket all day. I should have went back to the maniac booth and spent it there. Instead I took it home. What do you think we could do to get them to participate next year?
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