To some, the clash of shows in Denver on Jan. 4-6 might seem like a war of the fly-fishing worlds. Angling enthusiasts might view it as Christmas come later.
Two shows. One weekend. So little time.
It took awhile for some, but by now, most people have figured out how we came to have two fly-fishing blowouts on the same date.
The Fly Fishing Show, with displays at the Denver Merchandise Mart Pavilion has been around for several years and plans to stay.
The American Fly Fishing Trade Association Fly Fishing Expo will make its debut at the Denver Convention Center with a slightly different twist. This nonprofit arm for the fly-fishing industry seeks to follow the lead of other outdoor associations in using consumer trade shows to finance the promotion of the sport.
“Denver is the key market in the country and, naturally, this is the place we chose to start,” Robert Ramsay, AFFTA president, said.
Ultimately, this dusty ol’ cowtown won’t be big enough for both shows. Just as surely, it will be the Denver fly-fishing enthusiasts who will choose, based on a dueling lineup of featured performers, educational demonstrations, interactive displays and all the assorted flash and dash that lures us into the fantasy world of mid-winter extravaganzas.
The AFFTA show will have the greater weight of the fly-fishing industry — a broader lineup of manufacturer’s booths and attendant glitz — behind its offering. The Fly Fishing Show will ride on familiarity and a certain amount of loyalty.
One suspects that many, if not most, Colorado fly fanatics will give both a try, if for no other reason than as an excuse to shake off an extra day of cabin fever.
And, perchance, to dream.
THE FLY FISHING SHOW
Location: Denver Merchandise Mart Pavilion
Show hours: Jan. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Jan. 5, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults at the door, $24 two-day, $32 three-day, $2 children younger than 12. Also, Jan. 5 family day, $2 parents and all children younger than 16, $24.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Casting and demonstrations: Gary Borger, Mike Lawson, Dave Whitlock, Joe Humphrey, Charlie Meck, Doug Swisher, Lori Ann Murphy, Rick Hartman, Wendell Ozefovich.
Adventure theater: Jake Jordan, Jack Gartside, Joe Daniel, Matt Supinski, Jim Klug.
Fly-tying theater: Various performers.
Fly-Fishing Team USA: George Daniel, Lance Egan.
AFFTA FLY FISHING EXPO
Location: Colorado Convention Center
Show hours: Jan. 4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m; Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $15 adults at the door, $36 three-day, $5 ages 10-15, children younger than 10 and Boy and Girl Scouts in uniform admitted free.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Casting demonstrations: Bob Jacklin, Bob Clouser, Lefty Kreh, Jerry Siem, Rob Kolanda, Cathy Beck, Landon Mayer, Simon Gawesworth, Riley Cotter, Devin Olsen.
Destination seminars: Bob Rafferty, Kreh, Jacklin, Janice O’Shea, Patricia Edel, Barry Beck, Bob Popovics, Char Bloom, Jacklin, Mayer, John Barr, Ryan Anderson, Eric Anderson.
Destination Colorado seminars: George Schisler, Mayer, John Duncan, Scott Graham, Barry Reynolds, guides of Anglers Covey, Greg Felt, Bill Dvorak, Kirk’s Fly Shop, Anthony Naranja, Olsen.
Fly-tying: Clouser, Charlie Craven, Popovics, Brady Hanson, Mark McMillan, Dennis Collier, Greg Garcia, Chris Schranz, Bill Searles, Tony Spano, Dan Ziegman, Nick Jones, Neil Leuhring, Brian Kuchyna, Jack Duerson.
Team USA Fly-fishing: Naranja, Mike Sexton, Pete Erickson, Scott Robertson, Norm Maktima, Josh Stephens, Olsen, Loren Williams, Cotter, Kolanda.
