The days are short, the weather can be rough for fishing, the NFL and hunting seasons are ending. What to do? It’s time to get off the couch, grab your crew and head to an outdoor show. With so many to choose from you can surely fit at least one in your schedule this year. And if you’re looking to sell some of the gear you just never use then you’re in luck, too, with lots of flea markets that want you as a seller. Just remember this; if you don’t go, you don’t know. You don’t know about a new bait your buddy secretly found, a new technique demonstrated on a tank, a new place to fish or a new activity to enjoy with a young person.
First in the line up this season is the Fredericksburg Boat & Watersports Expo which is held at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center January 12-14. Whether it sails, paddles, skis or boats you will find it all from the area’s best boat dealers all together under one roof. Admission is $10 and $9 for seniors, military and first responders. Save time and money by purchasing your tickets online at https://www.fredericksburgexpocenter.com/boat-water-sports-expo
The Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival is January 13-14 at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia and is a not-to-miss show for both the well-seasoned fly fisherman, the novice fly flisherman, and everyone in between. Want to learn to tie flys or maybe you’re experienced but want to glean a few tips from the pros you can do that here. Perfect your casting technique? Yes, you can do that here as well and the best part is all casting classes are held inside. Visit www.VAFlyFishingFestival.com and explore their very informative website that lists all of the lectures and classes, the schedule of events, exhibitor lists and participating wineries and more. You are encouraged to sign up for classes in advance online where you can also purchase your tickets which are $30 for a weekend pass or $20 for either Saturday or Sunday. Ticket holders that are 21 and over can enjoy a free wine tasting. Children 16 and under are free with a paying adult and this applies no matter how many children you have.
The Richmond Fishing Expo returns January 19-21 to the Meadow Event Park in Doswell and will have the largest array of tackle combined with some of the finest professional talent around offering “a weekend of fishing overload”.
If it’s made to catch fish, you’ll probably find it here including boats, tackle, apparel, accessories and excellent seminars on the Bass Tub including the Woods & Waters New Product Showcase.
Pros scheduled to attend include two-time BASS Masters Elite Series pro Tim Horton, and MLF Tour pro Bryan Thrift.
You’ll love this show not only for the gear and the boats but also for the knowledge you’ll gain by listening to the best of the best in salt and freshwater fishing.
This is a family friendly event with a Kid’s Trout Pond and Kid’s Casting Contest. Show hours are Friday and Saturday 9am-7pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for senior & military, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and kids five and under are free. Admission is good for all three days as long as you pick up a return pass. www.RichmondFishingExpo.com
The 30th annual Monaghan Fishing Show will be held January 27-28 at the Monaghan Twp. Volunteer Fire Department in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. This is a huge flea market type of event with a Kid’s Casting Contest, free appraisals on old fishing tackle, seminar speakers and more. Hours are 8am to 4pm Saturday and 9am to 2pm Sunday. Admission is $4 with all proceeds benefitting the Monaghan Fire Dept. Visit www.monaghanfishingshow.com for more information.
January 27 is the date for the local favorite, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #4123 Fishing Flea Market located on Cool Spring Road in Fredericksburg from 8am-1pm. Here you’ll find tackle dealers, guide services and tables full of gear and lures that need to find a new home. Admission is just $3 and kids under 12 are free with all proceeds benefiting Eagle 4506 Outer Banks.
The region’s largest and most diverse outdoor show is the nine-day “Harrisburg Show”. Officially called the Great American Outdoor Show and hosted by the National Rifle Association this event runs February 3-11.
The Great American Outdoor Show is the largest sports and outdoor show in the country, celebrating the hunting, fishing, and outdoor traditions treasured by millions of Americans and their families.
The 650,000 square foot Pennsylvania Farm Complex Show will feature nine halls of nearly 1,100 exhibitors including 400 outfitters, shooting manufacturers, outfitters, boats, RVs, hunting and fishing retailers and much more. Music, over 200 seminars, archery competitions, demonstrations, raffles and prizes make it fun for the entire family.
Tickets to the show are available at the door, but you can skip the ticket lines by purchasing them online. Adult admission is $15, $13 for seniors, kids ages 6-12 are $9, a group pass (10 or more) is $13/ticket and a two day pass is $26.
www.GreatAmericanOutdoorShow.org
February 3 from 8am to 1pm is the date and time for the annual Bass Fishing Flea Market now called the Dale City Bass Tackle Show and run by Horizon Bass Anglers Club at the Hillendale Fire Dept. in Dale City, Virginia. Rent a table for just $35 or come and see what’s available for just $5 admission (kids 12 & under are free). Anglers and their families love this show and return year after year to see what’s available. Visit www.NHBAYouthFoundation.weebly.com.
The annual Augusta County Fishing Expo will be held February 10-11 at the Augusta Expoland in Fishersville, Virginia. You’ll find a large collection of both new and used fishing tackle dealers, guides and various regional anglers offering insight into fishing techniques and fishing destinations with presentations on the Woods & Waters Seminar Stage. Show hours are 9-5 both days. If you’d like to be an exhibitor contact Doug Fitzgerald at acbassjons@yahoo.com.
February 10 is also the 34th annual Rapidan Trout Unlimited Fishing Show held in Warrenton, Virginia at the Highland School. Inside you’ll find everything fly fishing from vendors, seminars, fly tying to casting demonstrations. Admission is just $5. www.rapidantu.org
