2012 Show Preview

If you like attending outdoors show fishing flea markets the next couple of months will be a fun time for you. January and February are when area anglers and hunters can see boats, motors, electronics, tackle and gear at indoor venues around the region.

The season kicks off with the Richmond Fishing Expo, January 20-22 at the Meadow Farm Event Park at the State Fairgrounds of Virginia. Last year was the first year for this show at the new facility and it was a hit with the crowds and vendors. This year you can expect to see 2011 BASS Elite Series Champion and TV host Shaw Grigsby and David Dudley the 2011 FLW Angler of the Year and Virginia native as headliners.

Also present for seminars will be bass pros John Crews, Pete Gluszek, saltwater anglers Capt. Max King, Dr. Julie Ball and Capt. Rick Bennett, Capt. Butch Foster, the Sonar Professor Wilson Frazier, kayak angler Cory Routh, New River guide Britt Stoudenmire, and Virginia author Bruce Ingram. There will be a Bass Tub of Oklahoma at the show, trout pond, plus the Green Top Hang With A Pro Seminar for children on Saturday morning. For more information visit www.richmondboatshows.com.

Next up on January 27-29 is HuntFest Virginia at the Roanoke Civic Center. This hunting themed show will feature TV host Michael Waddell, hunting AND fishing seminars, survival training, national vendors and outfitters, kayaks, a calling contest, trail camera contest, kids activates, Dimples and HoneeBe the clowns and much more. Visit www.HuntFestVA.com for more information. Roanoke is a great place to visit, so give this show a try this year.

On the same weekend, if you are up in the DC/Metro area you’ll want to visit the NRA Great American Hunting & Outdoor Show at the E-ventplex, Frederick Fairgrounds. This show will feature the amazing NRA Great American Whitetail Collection, the Cabela’s Mason/Dixon Big Buck Contest, Li’l Hunter Scavenger Hunt, Cabela’s gift card giveaways, the NRA LaserShot system and plenty of free seminars. FYI, if you renew your NRA membership at either of these shows, you get free weekend admission.

From here we go to the Greater Virginia Sports & Big Game Show, held February 17-19 at Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Visit www.vasportsshow.com.

The show season wraps up with a good one, the 25^th annual Western Virginia Sport Show is held February 24-26 at the August Expoland in Fishersville, Virginia. The Hanger family and friends work hard to bring you a show with excellent hunting and fishing exhibitors, great special attractions/guests and plenty of great deals. This year’s show will feature Harold Knight, co-founder of Knight and Hale Game Calls, Aaron Tippin (Saturday only) known in the country music world as the “Hillbilly Hercules”, Welde’s Big Bear Show, Charlie O’Brien from Mossy Oak’s Deer T.H.U.G.S. TV show, wildlife artist Dan Christ, turkey calling expert Mark Hanger, the Raptors Up Close display and an incredible display of world class game animals from all over the world. For more information visit www.westernvasportshow.com.

Smaller regional shows you’ll want to attend include Bob Stahl’s 19^th annual Monaghan Fishing Flea Market, January 28-29 near Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. This event benefits the Monaghan TWP Fire Department is a local favorite. Contact Bob at BobsBaits@netzero.com.

The Eagle’s Fishing Flea Market is back this year. This event will also be held January 28 at the Fredericksburg Eagle’s Aerie from 9 am to 4 pm. For more information contact David Limerick at 540.287.0731.

Bob Pettey’s ever-popular Bass Fishing Flea Market will be held Saturday, February 14 at the Hilendale Fire Department in Dale City, Virginia. This five-hour event is a sell-out as far as the exhibitor tables and can draw over 1,000 visitors for great deals on bass fishing gear. Visit www.bassfishingfleamarket.com for more information.

The 8^th annual Orange County Sportsman’s Expo will be held February 18 & 19 at Orange County High School. This event has become a good place to find regional tackle manufacturers offering good deals on their products. For more information call Becky Gore at 540.223.0193.

There’s also the Pasadena Sportfishing Show held February 18-19 at the Earleigh Heights Fire Hall in Severna Park, Maryland. This is a show and a flea market where you’ll find everything from new and used boats to fishing tackle and unbelievably delicious foods. The pit beef sandwiches, oysters on the half shell and clam chowder are specialties of this 20-year event. Visit www.pasadenasportfishing.com for more information.