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□

THE 27TH ANNUAL WESTERN VIRGINIA SPORTS SHOW

It's THIS weekend!

        The 27th Western Virginia Sports Show at Augusta Expoland this Feb. 21-23 will bring to Virginia an increased number of TV celebrities, including R.J. Molinere and Jay Paul Molinere of Swamp People, Mike Stroff of Savage Outdoors, and Paul Butski of Turkey Thugs.  Have you ever seen a grizzly bear up close?  Welde's Big Bear Show features six trained grizzlies that have appeared in TV shows and commercials across the country.  Howard and Jason Caldwell will showcase their "Raptors Up Close" exhibit to inspire an interest in falconry and promote their conservation.  Acclaimed wildlife artists Ken Schuler, Lisa geiman, and Melissa Ball will provide unique and masterful artwork for show and purchase.

        Other attractions include the Annual Big Buck Contest and South River Taxidermy's Top 10 Whitetail Mounts display.  The annual Virginia Open Championship Turkey Calling Contest held at the event every year has been renamed The Dennis Campbell Classic in honor and memory of a lifelong supporter of the show and a passionate promoter of the outdoor sports.  Countless vendors will offer the opportunity to browse hunting and fishing gear, book a guide trip, enter contests, and purchase food.  Local pros will conduct seminars and demonstrations.  Kids are invited to cast their line in the trout pond and take home their catch.  Visit http://www.westernvasportshow.com for more information.

        Hope to see you there!

OUTDOOR SHOW GUIDE FOR 2014

December feigns winter, but deer season is still in full swing.  But once January and February set in, the outdoorsman’s mind really dives into winter.  Luckily, there are a number of outdoor shows on a multitude of subjects offered across the Commonwealth to help ease the winter doldrums.  Read on for a detailed description of the outdoor shows coming in the 2014 season.

10^th Annual Orange County Fishing Expo

        In affiliation with the Orange County High School Anglers, Central Virginia’s fastest growing fishing exposition is coming to the Orange County High School Hornets Sports Center on February 15^th and 16^th.  As in past years, the expo will take the form of a marketplace, where fishermen can purchase fishing tackle, kayaks, and bass boats; learn about guide services and trip opportunities; and find taxidermists to mount that trophy fish.  Other vendors will sell candles, candy, and jewelry.  Kids can participate in casting contests, which may lead to a national competition where college scholarships are awarded, or cast a line in the trout pond.

        Admission is $6 for adults--$9 for both days—and kids get in free with an event flyer or ad, downloadable from the expo’s webpage.  Hours are 9 AM – 5 PM on the 15^th and 9 AM – 4 PM on the 16^th.

    

        For more information, or to print an expo flyer, visit www.ochsanglers.com .

27^th Annual Western Virginia Sports Show

        The Annual Western Virginia Sports Show will be held this year at Augusta Expoland in Fishersville on February 21^st, 22^nd, and 23^rd.  This year’s show will feature several outdoor celebrities, including RJ and Jay Paul Molinere of Swamp People, Mike Stroff of Savage Outdoors TV, and National Champion Turkey Caller Lance Hanger.  Other attractions such as artwork from 2014 Wildlife Artist of the Year Melissa Ball, Welde’s Big Bear Show, falconry presentations by “Raptors Up Close”, a taxidermy game display, and a kid’s trout tank make this event one for the whole family, while free seminars and demonstrations by top pros make it a prime place for dedicated outdoorsmen to hone old skills and learn new ones.

                

        Tickets are $9 for adults, $4 for kids, and children four and under get in for free!  Hours are 12 PM – 9 PM on the 21^st, 10 AM – 9 PM on the 22^nd, and 12 PM – 5:30 PM on the 23^rd.

        

        For more information, visit westernvasportshow.com.

Rapidan Chapter Trout Unlimited Annual Fishing Show

        The Rapidan Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its annual fishing show on Saturday, March 1^st at the Fauquier County Fairgrounds in Warrenton, Virginia.  The show is the chapter’s way of fundraising for programs like Trout in the Classroom, the annual Youth Conservation and Fishing Camp, and Kid’s Fishing Day, as well as for conservation projects and river restorations.

      

        A number of speakers including master popper maker Walt Cary and keynote speaker John Ross will fill the show with informative presentations on topics like “Fishing for Smallmouth,” “Building Furled Leaders,” and “Fly Fishing the East.”  Several raffles, including one for an all-expenses-paid trip to Yellowstone National Park will be held and drawn at the conclusion of the show.  Tickets for the Yellowstone trip are $25 and limited to 300, and are available for sale before the show.  So visit the chapter’s website to have your chance.

                

        For more information, visit RapdanTU.org.

Augusta County Fishing Expo and Flea Market

        For the second year, the Augusta County Bass-Jon’s will host the Augusta County Fishing Expo and Flea Market, Saturday, March 15 at Augusta Expoland in Fishersville.  The expo will include fishing tackle vendors, information from guides and outfitters, advice from industry pros, visits from the Bass Jon’s “Zoomie the Lizard” and “Smoky the Bear,” and raffles.

                

        Hours are 9 AM – 8 PM.  Visit ACBassJons.net for more information.

Originally published in the Rural Virginian

SOME UP-AND-COMING LOCAL SPORTSMAN'S SHOWS

The year has turned and is well under way.  To appease the passionate sportsman's soul, winter is outdoor show season.  Some will come and go before I have a chance to write about them; so below you will find a detailed description of those coming soon to a place near you.

Annual Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo

    The 7th Annual Bass & Saltwater Fishing Expo is returning to the Farm Bureau Center at the new Meadow Event Park in Caroline County January17-19. The family-oriented show is geared to be a fun and educational experience for all who attend. Whether you are a fly fishing enthusiast, a bass fisher, saltwater, lake or river angler, this show has something for everyone in the family.

    Again this year, your admission ticket will allow you to return to the Show another day. There will be conservation organizations represented and an incredible selection of outfitters, fishing charters, boating suppliers, and seminar presenters. Numerous nationally-known speakers will hold seminars to teach skills and share some great stories of their adventures and experiences. VDGIF staff will be on hand to answer questions on agency programs, angling education, special training events, and opportunities to enjoy Virginia's great outdoors. The Outdoor Report e-newsletter will also have an exhibit featuring Fishin' Report contributing reporters answering your questions on where to get the latest "how are they bitin'" info on more that 25 primary lakes and rivers statewide. Volunteers from the VDGIF Complementary Work Force will be on hand describing opportunities for volunteers to assist in carrying out a variety of agency programs. For information visit the Show website.

National Capital Sportsman's Show

    The National Capital Sportsman's Show is coming to the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference center January 17-19.  This traditional sportsman show has something for everyone.  Hunting and fishing outfitters from all over the world, the latest hunting, fishing, and outdoor gear, knowledgeable experts to answer any question, and long time outdoor celebrity Roger Raglin are just a few attractions you will find at the show.   The show is hosting the 2014 NWTF Virginia State Turkey Calling Contest and the 2014 RMEF Virginia State Elk Calling Championship, both of which are open to all wishing to compete.  Youngsters will enjoy fishing in the expansive trout tank or testing their marksmanship in the NWTF's air rifle range.  Come and hear about Virginia's new Elk Relocation Program or hear about finding great public fishing in Virginia.  The National Capital Sportsman show literally has something for all. For more information visit:  www.nationalsportsshow.com.□

Adapted from the Outdoor Report