THE 2015 OUTDOOR SHOW SEASON IS HERE!

With the onset of the New Year and the expiration of deer season, the doldrums of winter are officially upon us.  However, there is a beginning in such a dramatic end.  The 2015 outdoor show season has arrived!  Outlined below is this year’s detailed schedule of events relevant to Virginia sportsmen.

Jan. 16-18—Richmond Fishing Expo

    For the eighth year running, the Richmond FishingExpo is returning to the Farm Bureau Center at Meadow Event Park in CarolineCounty.  This is a family-friendly show intended to be fun and educational to all in attendance.  Featured exhibitors include an array of guide services, outfitters, tackle companies, conservation organizations, and marine dealers.  An impressive lineup of professional angling personalities, including John Crews, Davy Hite, Britt Stoundenmire, John Hutchins, Chris McCotter, and Brian Oxendine, are presenting seminars over the course of the three-day event.  The price of admission covers all three days of the expo, so plan to return to restock your tackle boxes and soak up all the knowledge that will be floating around the Farm Bureau Center on this much-awaited weekend.

Jan. 30-Feb. 1—National Capital Sportsman Show

    Held in the 80,000+ square-foot FredericksburgExpo Center, the National Capital Sportsman Show is a family-oriented event that provides outdoor enthusiasts prime access to the industry’s leading products, outfitting services, and personalities.

   

    The show is the venue of the coveted National WildTurkey Federation Virginia State Championship Turkey Calling Contest, to be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 31.  Pre-registration is suggested for the open, intermediate, friction, and JAKES youth calling contests.

Special guests of this year’s show include local Fluvanna County boy and host of the Outdoor Channel’s Red Arrow TV series, Kip Campbell, and the crew from Buck Obsession.  Come out and enjoy this weekend of interactive and educational fun!

Feb. 14—Rapidan Chapter Trout Unlimited FishingShow

    If fly fishing is your game then you won’t want to miss “the biggest little fishing show” in northern Virginia, held annually by the Rapidan Chapter of Trout Unlimited at the Fauquier County Fair Grounds.  This event is the fundraising project for the organization’s conservation efforts, annual youth conservation and fishing camp, Trout in the Classroom programs, and the Virginia Heritage Day.  A lineup of authorities like Colby Trow, Capt. Ed Lawrence, and Walt Cary are scheduled to present on everything from saltwater fly fishing to building poppers.  A host of raffle prizes, ranging from an all-expenses-paid trip to Yellowstone National Park to rods and flies keeps attendants on their toes.

Feb. 20-22—Western Virginia Sports Show

    The 28th annual Western Virginia Sports Show at Augusta Expoland features an exciting lineup of outdoor TV personalities; and this year’s show boasts more than ever before.  Special guests include Bobby Brantley of Bad Dog Nation TV (formerly of TruTV's Lizard Lick Towing); Paul Butski, 3-timeNWTF Grand National Turkey Calling Champion and 6-time US Open Turkey callingChampion; Reed Merideth of Wicked Tuna:North vs South TV, and Don Shumaker from Buckingham, who will be doing seminars on coyote trapping and hunting.

Feb. 28-Mar. 3—Orange County Sportsman Expo

    In its 11^th year being held at the Orange County High School’s Hornets Sports Center, the Orange County SportsmanExpo is the product of the hard work of the  "Nation's Outstanding Junior B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Chapter", the Orange County High School 4-H and B.A.S.S.Angler's Club.  Exhibitors include hunting and fishing guides, wildlife artists, taxidermists, and more.  Come out and support the Orange County High School Anglers!

April 11-12—Virginia Fly Fishing and Wine Festival

    Now in its 15^th year, the Virginia FlyFishing and Wine Festival held on the banks of the South River at ConstitutionPark in downtown Waynesboro features an array of exhibitors, including fly fishing guides, artists, conservation organizations, fly tiers, and product developers.  This event features renowned personalities such as Lefty Kreh, Ed Jaworowski, Fishy Fullum, Walt Cary, ColbyTrow, and more.  Interested in discovering the new world of tenkara fishing?  Come see tenkara fishing guide Tom Sadler’s introductory presentation.  Is kayak fishing more your speed?  Cory Routh of Ruthless OutdoorAdventures will be conducting ongoing on-the-water demonstrations!  Come join the fun!

Originally published in the Rural Virginian□