Outdoors Shows by Showspan

Because of its sheer size, the show attracts representatives from major manufacturers such as Stren, Berkley, Fenwick, Lowrance, Okuma, Shimano, Offshore Tackle and Bert’s Custom Tackle.

Many guides, outfitters, lodges, charter fishing captains and other destination vendors have reserved space. “Outfitters Expo” is a show within the show that offers fishing and family vacations throughout Michigan, the Great Lakes, and Canada and beyond. Patrons can compare costs and services by speaking directly to lodge owners, fishing guides and even bush plane pilots.

Within Outfitters Expo is “Canada’s Great Outdoors” section, featuring more than 20 Ontario-only outfitters, lodges and guides.

Angling instruction, free with admission
The nonstop seminars, which are free with admission, cover the latest tips and techniques for catching bass, walleye, salmon, steelhead, muskie, pike and panfish. Joining Kevin VanDam for bass seminars are several experts from the National Bass Anglers Association. Other top speakers include Mark Martin, Mark Romanack, Lance Valentine and Marianne Huskey on walleye; Mike Pittiglio and Don Miller on muskie; Chip Cartwright on salmon; and Bob Brunner on pike.

Among the many specialty seminars are presentations on ice fishing by experts Mark Martin, Dan Armitage and Joe Raymer.

Lake Ultimate, the ultimate in fishing seminars
Lake Ultimate, the nation’s largest indoor lake with 110,000 gallons of water, holds big rainbow trout that speakers will try to catch using flyfishing, vertical jigging, boat control and precision casting from fully rigged boats. No other venue in North America offers an indoor lake this large for such real-time seminars.

Fee-based weekend Super Clinics for walleye and Great Lakes trolling are limited to 100 students each who can register right at the show. Registrants receive a free “goody bag” worth at least twice the typical $25 instructional fee. New this year is a fee-based Bass Super Clinic.

A Shore Lunch Fish Fry occurs daily.

Appealing to anglers of all ages and persuasions
The show attracts anglers of all ages and levels of experience. The Trout Pond will have live rainbows for kids to catch, and they can try their skills on the Virtual Fishing Simulator. A free Casting Kids Contest occurs on the weekend.

Promotions and incentives galore
The first 500 attendees on Thursday and Friday receive a $6.95 commemorative Dardevle fishing spoon, compliments of Eppinger Manufacturing in Dearborn. The first 250 patrons on Saturday and Sunday receive a free tackle pack, compliments of K&E Stopper Lure Company.

Westland Camping Center will give away a pair of Ocean kayaks to lucky show patrons who sign up at the booth.

Anglers can sign up for the Kevin VanDam Cast Off during the last two hours of each day the show is open. Entrants pay $10 each to see who can “put it in the cup.” The winner gets a $50 prize and all entrants go into a drawing for one lucky person to fish with KVD during a tournament this summer near Kevin’s Kalamazoo home. All proceeds go to the March of Dimes.

Admission is free on Thursday for patrons who bring 6 cans/boxes or 4 pounds of non-perishable food items to donate to the annual Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger food drive.

It’s the Ultimate Fishing Show – Detroit, and it comes only once each year. The 2012 dates again are January 12 to 15 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

Show hours are Thursday, 2 to 9:30; Friday, Noon to 9:30; Saturday, 10 to 9; Sunday, 10 to 5. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 14. There is no charge for children 5 and under. For more information, go to www.UltimateFishingShow.com or call 800-328-6550.

You can also follow late-breaking news and developments at www.facebook.com/ultimatefishingshow and at www.twitter.com/ultimatefishdet

Pages: 1· 2