Are Fly fishing Shows dead in So. Cal? Give me your input.

[sschung]

What do you guy want to see at a show. Basicly what kinds of seminars do you want to see; local destination, exotic destinations, lodges, DIY travel, how tos?, etc. What about free fly fisihing lessons or fly tying leasons for the beginners? Don't just mention get the manbufatures there. That one you need the egg before the chiken; and that is a fact. Unless the crowd numbers are there the manufatures will not spend the money to come (it cost a whole lot of money for a booth to be at a show...). The Pleasenton show has a lot more booths and manufatures present, but that show attendence makes Pasadena look like a graveyard. Is everyone looking for show deals? What about the fly tyers at the show? How about the fly fishing celebraties, do you even know who they are, are theyrelevant or irrelevant? To give you an idea on the celebraties for example Ed Engle got a decent crowed at Pasadena, and at Pleasenton it was a packed house. One year when the show was at San Rafael Dan Blanton, Jack Gartside, Mel Krieger and AK Best had packed shows. I'm not sure those guys would be able to fill a room for Pasadena. Do we need just local fly fishing celebraties? What about smaller events like the Marriots and Fly Fishermen's Spot Monthly events or Orvis days or the seminars put on by The One Surf Fly (Double Haul Ball) or the Beyond the Break Water Fly Fishing seminars? Everyone chime in on what you think. Give the good and the bad. Personally I do not see a bright future for both the Fly Fishing Show in Pasadena or the fly fishing section at Fred Hall. Hopefully the city will not be such premadonas and allow the Marriots show to be possible. How can we get that show buzz back that I use to see up north . By the way there are more fly fishermen in So. Cal than most of the country (these are numbers that I was able to get using media kits from 8 of the major fly fishing magazines). Thus without the shows it is just left to the forums, which to me is a very sad replacement.

Shane

[nick562]

Hey Shane, it's not hard to see that So.Cal is dominated by conventional/spinning rod anglers I should know I have a deal of friends that are.I think most people around here still portrait fly fishing as a elitist "snobby" angler sport which is pretty funny to me because the person who got brought me into the sport is a very knowledgeable flyfisherman/fly tyer & a transit But, (thats a whole different story)!Yes definitely not cheap fly lines especially, however, it is more affordable through fly rod company's like t.f.o who deliver a good product with outstanding warranty's.I have offered many friends to show them how to f.f. but, they never took the initiative so I wont force my ways on anyone unless they show me they are genuine about wanting to learn.I know two guys currently that im kinda "sharing" whatever lil knowledge I have.
But, everything I have learned would not be possible if it wasn't for the generosity & knowledge shared by the many I have met over the past decade free events such as the o.s.f and the recent d.h.b lets not forget orvis,the spot,& marriotts...please forgive me if I left out any other events/clubs which are open to anyone to attend.I think such outings hosted by organizers & volunteers go much overlooked and I commend them for OPENLY sharing a passion and NOT alienating people away from learning something it took them years to learn!It just goes to show one thing this sport is definitely evolving into something great. And it must! if it is to survive during this economic crisis.I love the D.I.Y attitude like James D had the how to make your own stripping basket Ive always had that kind of mentality.I with the help of a friend made a wonderful fly box.And who could ever forget Conway Bowman's Dollar wise fly show that unfortunately got canceled on VS!:cry:
I fish the city parks/local drainage rivers golf couses, the local beaches why? because that's all I know, im city guy but, yet I catch alot of fish and have fun!I think most don't realize there is a awesome fishery right in there own backyard they live in and with gas inflation out the roof many will have to put off that annual trip to the sierras. I want to see more art more in depth about where we come from after all like I said, this sport is evolving and I've seen how it can break racial/status barriers so that it self it a great accomplishment.We also of course are all advocates of catch & release and conservation.Sorry if I ranted and didn't give more input on what I would like to see at a show.But, I think it gives a general direction of which way to go?I hope some will agree with.
Nick

[WanderingBlues]

Seminars and the like are cool. I'd like to see a tour of fly-fishing short films thrown in the mix as well. But, for me, the opportunity to take a look at equipment is always a big draw. It has less to do with getting a 'show deal' than it does just being able to check something out in hand. The fact that the industry is not rolling out and supporting is a bummer.

The one time I went to Pasadena, the highlight was hooking up with FFA members. The show itself was lacking with only 3-4 from the industry in attendance (Hardy/Greys, Bauer, Tibor, and maybe one more.)

[8NoFish]

I attended the Fly Show at Pasadena in 2009 and 2010. I was disappointed both times, but I understand that the 2011 show was better...but almost anything would have been an improvement. At the 2009 show I watched a presentation by AK Best - there were no more than 18-20 people in the room. The room was literally 75% empty...for one of the top personalities in fly fishing! He was the big star of the show that year.

Its hard to imagine the Fly Show promoters putting on the show for very much longer. It can't be making money for them. Honestly, if you want to see equipment, you'll see much more stopping by Marriotts than spending an afternoon and $15 (plus another $10 for parking) at the Fly Show. The big-time fly fishers who are featured at the show must be there because of contractual reasons, not by choice.

It would be interesting to see how many fly fishermen live in SoCal. No way to really figure that, I guess. It might be interesting to see a statistical breakdown of where fly fishermen live. I wonder if Richard Anderson over at California Fly Fisher magazine would or could do that.

[fflutterffly]

I can not tell you how many times I've seen the same topic presented year after year. We need new information. What is Europe doing or down under! I certainly want to see deal like they had 4 years ago. maybe the pasadena and pleasanton shows are two close together. If that show were moved to Fresno and we had only one show in the state that would make money and have great attendance. For me it's about learning. I'd like to see a seminar explain in plan simple language how lines are made and what makes them all different and then put up a slide show on different riggings. Let's see some imagination, something inspiring. Raffle off a day trip or fly fishing lesson with a master FFF instructor. What about paying your membership to FFF or one year to your local club of choice as a prize. Mix it up.

Not to leave out the fly tying: Years ago there were great deals on fly tying equipment. Now we have store prices at the show. I'd like to see the tiers give short little 5 min. lectures at there stations on a simple trick or tool they like. I'm tired of standing and just watching most of them tie. Do they get paid for being there? If yes... then take a moment and pass on a few tips. Sort of a mini lecture series through out the day.

[Flatsix]

I've been into flyfishing for just a couple of years.

When I was first interested in the sport, I went to the Marriotts annual event. Lefty was there and they had pros tying flies. I learned quite a bit that first day just wandering around watching and asking questions.

I attended the Pasadena show this year and really enjoyed myself. I attended a seminar on stream reading and enjoyed that as well.I don't have anything to gauge it against being that it was my first show.

Here's my 2 cents: If the shows and the shops are looking to generate more customers then they should gear a larger portion of the shows and seminars to the beginner. Shops and shows should do free intro to the sport classes, free casting lessons (not demos), free tying lessons etc. Then they should offer discounts to newbies attending the classes for future purchases.

For a person that's never flyfished, this whole thing is a giant mystery and from the outside looks extremely expensive to get started. The shows and shops should work on making the sport more beginner friendly by helping a new person find the gear that fits his or her budget and discounting equipment to those attending seminars and shows.

[midger]

I've been into flyfishing for just a couple of years.



Here's my 2 cents: If the shows and the shops are looking to generate more customers then they should gear a larger portion of the shows and seminars to the beginner. Shops and shows should do free intro to the sport classes, free casting lessons (not demos), free tying lessons etc. Then they should offer discounts to newbies attending the classes for future purchases.

.

This pretty much sums up the direction I feel the shows should go if they want to remain viable. I'm past the point of being interested in shows as I have the tackle, flies, rods, and other equipment, and know where I want to fish and how to fish it. Old dogs like me aren't who they should tailor shows for as I'm not going to be a big buyer, nor am I all that interested in attending a show unless it is to meet folks for lunch (last show I attended was with Joe Lynch in Pasadena in 2006/7 time period)

[briansII]

I know I am worlds away from SoCal, but I'll go ahead and chime in.

I believe you have to have "the goods" to entice people to shows. That means fly fishing goods. Not crafts, knives, dried fruit and nuts and such. Gear and all the accessories for fly fishing. I also feel you need to have interesting seminars. Some * for the area, not Nome AK. or Timbuktu. Exotic locations are fine, but how many go to shows just to see that? Beginner's class? Yes. Beginner's FREE casting and fishing classes should bring people in. A beginners tying demo too. So it wouldn't burden the promoters, volunteers from FFF and or local clubs. Bottomline though. You have to have the goods to get folks to show up.

We used to have a fly fishing fair locally. The local shop(multi sport shop) put them on, and they were a lot of fun. Very low key, and free. It was easy to find a open spot in the casting pond, and you got to cast as many rods as you wanted.....in a sort period of time. They no longer put these fairs on. If I lived closer to The Spot or Marriotts, I wouldn't miss a single one.

I'd just like to add. The shops that participate in these shows pay a premium to be there. Not only the booth space, but the employees and setup time....plus trying to run the shop. IMHO, to expect deals at the show is a bit unrealistic. Factoring in all the costs, how much can you mark down products, and still show a profit at these shows. Sure, they do have some show specials.....I've taken advantage of them, but to expect them, and be upset if they aren't there, isn't really fair. It's a financial gamble for the shop. And one that isn't a safe bet in this climate.

Just my Central Ca. two bits.

briansII

[Flyjunkie]

an "Insider's" view on the Shows...

Yes, for a number of years the shows haven't been that great, but this year's Pasadena Show was a great deal better then the previous few.. a Good sign of things to come I'm thinking. I agree change the presentations around, bring New presenters or ask the "regulars" to offer something New and different..

as to the Companies that don't attend.. here's what each & everyone of you must do..: Email them your displeasure, all Companies have contacts on their webpage.. take 5 minutes and write them. They most likely do not read all the forums out there, but they Will pay attention to an Email that you took the time to write... Complaining on this and other forums about "no Show" companies isn't going to get the message to the companies, Direct Contact will.

The Tyers are Not Paid to attend, we do it free because it's Fun.. If you want to see a Technique, Ask the Tyer if they would show You. if i have the materials, I'll show someone a technique or a pattern...

as to discount Materials and other items. Yeah, in the recent past there was plenty of that at the Shows, but what ended up happening is that Folks would attend Only for the discounted merchandise. And all other merchandise sales fell.. The trend nowadays as a whole is to move away the perceived "clearance/Discount/Blow out" mentality.. sure there will continue to be such items, but most all shops and companies are lowering the amount they bring....

What i like best about the Shows, is seeing folks I've not seen in sometime, checking out the new products, Talking with Folks as they come by my Tying Station.. it has absolutely Nothing to do with scoring a "show Deal".. it's the socializing and seeing New product, perhaps buy something...