Whether the concept of a feature fly-fishing spectacular inside the framework of the nation’s largest outdoor show proves a fiscal success remains to be seen.
More certain is that this International Sportsmen’s Exposition gathering of experts representing every aspect of the fly sport can be touted as the finest ever assembled in a public forum.
The list of luminaries who will gather in the Discover Fly Fishing Center begins with Lefty Kreh, the acknowledged guru of the sport, and also includes: Jack Dennis, Mike Lawson, Pat Dorsey, Brian O’Keefe, Bob Clouser, Jeff Currier, Frank Smethurst, Landon Mayer, Tom Bie, Brad and Tyler Befus, Val Atkinson, Barry Reynolds, Charlie Craven and many more.
In addition to the demonstrations and lectures offered by these masters, this show-within-a-show includes full-length casting pools to accommodate a distance casting competition, a separate practice pool for novice anglers, the Umpqua Learning Center, a fly-tying theater and a special Orvis Guide Night presentation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Among the special events are a Saturday expert panel on fishing for carp hosted by Kirk Deeter and headlined by Befus and Currier, who literally wrote the books on the subject.
Extra attractions include a showing of the heralded movie “Drift,” hosted by Bie, who wrote the script, and the premiere of Reynolds’ movie “Urban Warfare,” filmed on the South Platte River in Denver.
Discovery Fly Fishing Center represents a partnership between ISE and the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA), which represents the manufacturers and distributors of most equipment items.
Many of these companies will offer the first public display of the latest gear, while local fly shops sell both new and carryover merchandise.
This union provides AFFTA an educational forum in its continuing effort to recruit converts to the sport, while ISE gains a much greater fly-fishing presence.
Charlie Meyers: 303-954-1609 or cmeyers@denverpost.com
International Sportsmen’s Exposition
When: Noon-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St.
Admission: $15 adults, $7 youth 13-17, free children 12 and under.
Features: Hundreds of booths covering nearly 300,000 square feet of exhibition space, including a wide variety of outdoor equipment and destination travel. Lectures and demonstrations touch on virtually every aspect of hunting and fishing.
Information: , 360-693-3700.
