When it comes to shows around Chicago outdoors, there’s been a few date changes and a few site changes from last show season, so read carefully the show list.
I am missing updates on a couple of the regular club swap meets. If you got them or any other tweaks or additions for this list, even later this winter, please let me know via email at straycasts@sbcglobal.net, on Facebook at Dale Bowman or on Twitter at @BowmanOutside.
The Early Show, the fly-tying show, was last month, but I included it in the overall list. Otherwise, Milwaukee Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show kicks off show season.
As usual, I arranged the show list by date.
2017-18 CHICAGO-AREA OUTDOOR SHOWS
Nov. 12: Early Show, co-presented by DRiFT and ISA, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Oak Brook
Dec. 8-10: Milwaukee Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wis.
Jan.5-7:Chicago Muskie Expo, Pheasant Run, St. Charles
Jan. 5-7: Lake Home & Cabin Show, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 10-14: Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show, McCormick Place South
Jan. 11-14: All-Canada Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles
Jan. 13-14: West Michigan Fly Show, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Jan. 19-21: Greater Chicago RV Show, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 25-28: Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, Schaumburg Convention Center
Jan. 26-28: The Pantagraph’s Fish & Feather Expo, Interstate Center, Bloomington
[Updated] Jan. 28-29: Great Lakes Angler Super Salmon Clinic with Capt. Dan Keating, Lake Michigan Angler, Winthrop Harbor, (847) 395-5730, register at (847) 395-5730 or bluehorizonsportfishing@gmail
Feb. 10-11: Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoor Show, Tinley Park High School
Feb. 10-11: Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 10: DRiFT’s 24th annual auction, Villa Park VFW
Feb. 15-18: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Feb. 16-25: Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Feb. 16-18: Rockford Boat, Vacation & Fishing Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
Feb. 17-18: Our World Underwater Chicago Dive & Travel Expo, Chicago Marriott O’Hare
Feb. 17-18: Capt. Ralph Steiger seminars, Cabela’s, Hammond, smallmouth bass on 17th, trout/salmon on 18th, https://www.captainsreports.net/tackleshop/index.php…
Feb. 17: Midwest Musky Club’s swap meet, Village Sportsman’s Club, Alsip, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Feb. 18: Henry Decoy Show, Henry-Senachwine High School
Feb. 24: Salmon Unlimited Swap Meet, River Park Moose Lodge, River Grove
Feb. 24-25: Fish-On, Portage (Ind.) High School
March 1-4: Northern Illinois Boat Show, New Lake County Fair Grounds, Grayslake
March 2:Sport & Fishing Show by Evergreen Park Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #27 Association, Bourbon Street, Merrionette Park, 7-11 p.m., $25 includes meal.
March 3: Indoor Fishing Flea Market, sponsored by Chicagoland Muskie Hunters and RMHS Post Prom Committee, Rolling Meadows High School
March 3: Illinois Smallmouth Alliance’s Bronzeback Blowout, Elmhurst American Legion
March 3-4: Elmwood All Outdoors Show, Elmwood Community Schools
March 7-11: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Sports Show, Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center, West Allis, Wis.
March 9-11: Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show, Indoor Sports Center, Loves Park
March 9-11: Canoecopia, Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis.
March 11: Quad County Hawg Hunters’ Indoor Fishing Flea Market, Plano American Legion, (815) 286-7170 or dlandmeier@frontier.com
March 15-18: Ultimate Sports Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Mich.
March 17: Fish and Hook Sport Show, American Legion Post 13, Plainfield
March 22-25: Chicago Sports Show, Arlington Park, Arlington Heights
March 24: Walleyes Unlimited swap meet, Fox Lake Legion Hall
April 7: Spring Fishing Seminar fundraiser for veteran medical programs, Joshua W. Harris Memorial VFW Post, Brookfield, (708) 485-9670
April 14-15: Chicago Herpetological Society ReptileFest.Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
April 14:Walter Burzawa Sr. &Sid Holder Memorial Tackle Show (hunting and fishing), entry and vendor fees donated to Joliet Area Hospice, Top Fuel Saloon, Braidwood, angusgibson72@gmail.com
April 18: Southside Muskie Hawks mini-fundraiser and swap night, Vince’s Pizza, Chicago, 7 p.m., (773) 704-3401
April 24-28: North American Vintage Decoy and Sporting Collectibles Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, nadecoycollectors.org
April 28: Riverside Fishing Club swap meet, LaGrange American Legion