Show season began Thursday and my original plan was to begin hitting shows today.
But the weather and family stuff put the stop to that; all the same, it is opening day or opening week with three shows.
This year, the All-Canada Show opened things on Thursday, hence the photo above, at Pheasant Run in St. Charles. The one change this year there is more local emphasis on seminars, including Spence Petros, Walt Matan, Mark O’Neill, Ken Kuhnle and Jim Crowley.
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My plan for today had been to hit the Chicago Muskie Show, which opens today and runs through Sunday at Harper College in Palatine, but I need to put it off until Saturday.
The big change this year is the first focus on kids.
Kids get a free lure from Tackle Industries, there’s a special kids area, Kids Casting Clinic (11:30 a.m. Saturday, pool side), and Jacob Stankowski on “Muskie Fishing: A Kids View” (1:30 p.m. Sunday).
My Wednesday column was on Stankowski and I look forward to seeing him in action. Plus a friend’s son receives an honor Saturday for being a young guy who caught multiple big muskies, so I am happy to go Saturday.
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The Hammond Outdoor Sports Show is Saturday and Sunday at Jean Shepherd Community Center in Hammond, Ind. I plan to hit it Sunday.
This is a show which retains its local focus intensely, as shown by its list of presenters: Chae Dolsen, Mike Mlandenik, Mike Echterling, Pat Renwick, Dave Kolb, Capt. Ralph Steiger, Mike Starcevich, Gretchen Steele and Capt. Mike Orr.
It should be a fun, but busy, weekend. Hope to see some or many of you.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Jan. 16-20: Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors Show, McCormick Place North (Dates are right, it runs through Martin Luther King Day)
Jan. 22-26: Chicago Outdoor Sports Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont Jan. 24-26: Chicagoland Gun Show, co-located with the Chicago Outdoor Sport Show
Jan. 23-26: Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 23-26: Strictly Sail Chicago, Navy Pier
Jan. 24-26: Illinois Fish & Feather Expo, Interstate Center, Bloomington
[ADD] Jan. 24-26: Outdoor Sports, Lake & Cabin Show, Coliseum, Fort Wayne
Feb. 8-9: Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoor Show, Tinley Park High School
Feb. 9: Henry Decoy Show, Henry-Senachwine High School
Feb. 12-16: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 14-16: Our World-Underwater, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 14-23: Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 14-16: Bedford Sales Open House, Morris
Feb. 14-16: Rockford Boat, Vacation and Fishing Show, Indoor Sports Center
Feb. 20-23: Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 21-23: Illinois Deer & Turkey Expo, Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield
Feb. 21-23: Lake Home & Cabin Show, Schaumburg Convention Center
Feb. 27-March 2: Northern Illinois Boat Show, Lake County Fair Grounds, Grayslake,
Feb. 22: Chicago Maritime Festival, Chicago History Museum
March 21-23: Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show, Indoor Sports Center
March 1: Salmon Unlimited Swap Meet, River Park Moose Lodge, River Grove
(ADD) March 1: Illinois Smallmouth Alliance’s Bronzeback Blowout,, Elmhurst American Legion
March 1-2: Elmwood All Outdoors Show, Elmwood High School and Grade School
March 5-9: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Wisconsin Exposition Center, West Allis, Wis.
March 7-9: Canoecopia, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
March 8: Indoor Fishing Flea Market, Rolling Meadows High School
April 25-26: Midwest Decoy Collector’s Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles
