Shows 2008

by 

January 2008

The shows are coming!  The shows are coming!

Son:   Hey Dad.   Did you know that the fishing shows are coming?

Dad:   Yes.  Why?

Son:   Can I go?  Please, please.

Dad:   You went last year.

Son:   Yea, but there is new stuff, and all my friends are going, and there’s nothing to do around here, and please can I go?

Dad:   Don’t you remember last year’s show?  You nearly got us kicked out of the Expo Center.

Son:   But it wasn’t my fault.  How was I to know that a fly rod couldn’t bend like that?  Anyway, they had lots of them, and I only broke one.

Dad:   The show hasn’t changed in years.  In fact, there were less people and exhibits last year than the year before.  I don’t know why it’s declining.  After “A River Runs Through It” there were lots of people paying lots of money on this “new” sport.  Heaven only knows if they still use the stuff.  Probably never did learn to cast worth a fig.
   
Son:   I know how to cast.  I can show you at the ISE.

Dad:   You cast right well, I have to say.  Probably was the casting lesson given by the PFF guy over in that Foster City park.  He did know his stuff.

Son:   Well, can we go Dad?

Dad:   But, we haven’t seen any new stuff in the last three years.  Yes, there is all of that hype about this new rod material or that line with the magic sauce that goes forever.  But, have we seen anything really new?  Is the sport in decline?  Even the PFF has been affected.  Where are all the PFF club members?  They don’t come to the meetings like they used to, and the attendance at the dinners has dropped off over the years.  Some have moved away I grant you.  But where are the new young bucks that will take their place?  Is the club not advertising enough?  The sport is in a general decline.  Even some of the local fly shops have closed.

Son:   But, isn’t that a good reason for attending the show.  We can show support for our sport.   With all of the resorts showing off their grinning people and fish pictures, we should be able to find one we like.

Dad:   I do like the fly tying.  There are some real pros there.  What they can do with fur and feathers is amazing.  

Son:   See, it is a good idea.

Dad:   Well maybe.  My neighbor down the block has mentioned that he would like to take up fly-fishing; maybe he would like to join us.  If he gets interested enough, he might join PFF.  The new year looks to be full of fishouts to hone his ability with a bunch of fishers that know their sport and love it enough to want to share their skills and the good times of a shared experience.  That is what a club is all about and we have one of the best.

Son:   Are we going?

Dad:   Go get your coat.  It looks like rain again.  With all this rain, the fish should have a good year and the fishing should be great.

Son:   Great!

Dad:   Just remember; don’t put any of those bumper stickers on the truck.  I don’t know what it is with “sportsmen’ that they need to have bumper stickers plastered all over their vehicle.  It’s just silly.

Son:   All right, no stickers.

See you at the show.

George