Chicago outdoors: Opening night at Rosemont

A couple things that struck me on opening night at the Chicago Outdoor Sports Show at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

The Grandt Rods booth set the tone as I entered the hall. It has anchored the show for several years.

My favorite booth was the one I saw last, the handcrafted custom wood boats of Winchester Boat Works. Just stunningly beautiful wooden row trolling boats.

The most interesting is an old favorite, Two Bears Trading Co. Ernie Marvin has been coming for years with his fur goods. Skunk hats are the hot item. Otherwise, it is a great place for fly-tyers to pick up fur scraps for a $1 or fox tails for $15.

Dan Basore has his usual pile of interesting tales and stuff at his Historical Fishing Display.

I had hoped to talk with the guys who launched PhotoTaxidermy at the show, but they were already gone for the evening by the time I got to them.

For opening night, there were more people than in recent years. There is a better layout of booths, but fewer fishing related booths.

I suspect it will be packed over the weekend, in part because of the Chicagoland Gun Show, which looks bigger and more organized. It is co-located with the Chicago Outdoor Sport Show from Friday through Sunday.