An Outdoorsman Show review

After writing about the Outdoorsman show in multiple columns I had an opportunity to attend on both Saturday and Sunday this past weekend. When I arrived Saturday afternoon, I had to drive and look a while before I found some open parking spaces — I went about 3 p.m. with the thought that there would likely be less people so I could see the exhibits and talk with exhibitors more easily. After finding a suitable parking space and as I headed toward the Menard Center entrance I expected there could be large crowds of people inside. Infact there was a good amount of show goers inside, however, my years of experience exhibiting at the show proved valuable in that people were already leaving. As I walked form booth to booth starting in the ice rink and then proceeding to the turf field, the throng of people was constantly decreasing so I had the opportunity to see the exhibits well and talk with every exhibitor I chose to. One of the booths I was looking for specifically was Dep Alaska, as I was interpreted in seeing if they were offering guiding dip netting trips and / or selling dip netting gear. Wrong! On both counts, the booth was not about dip netting salmon at all — but rather they had a variety of dips for eating on chips, crackers, or vegetables. That was an unexpected surprise.

I saw a man and woman inserting an open Wooldridge riverboat outside the Menard Center, and commented, “That one might be a bit speedy.”

The man looked up from a price listed and mentioned the boat / motor trailer package cost over $100,000.

Even I was surprised at that price for an open boat with an outboard motor. Granted it was a well built boat with nice features and a large new motor. I decided my Greatland boat would continue to work just fine for what I am doing.

I talked with a 4 individuals I know who had booths to sell Mat-Su fishing trips. It appears to be at least a moderately successful show as all of them had sold fishing trips when I talked with them on Saturday afternoon. Ben Allen, owner of Miller’s Riverboat Service was also selling a few different lures — some equipped with smaller single hooks like will be required on the Susitna River drainage and Little Susitna River this season through July 13. Ben also had some custom fishing rods with a lot of pricey components that he was selling at extremely good show special prices. I examined his work closely, but did not purchase, as I’d been building several new rods over the winter myself — both for my guide service and for my wife and I to use while fishing.

Alaska Outdoor Council, Saari Club international, and Kenai River Sportfihsing Association all had booths willing to sign up new members and each providing one or more opportunities for show goers to participate in fundraising or membership raffles.

I briefly talked with the show organizer, Matt Rowley, and learned that the show had been busy enough earlier Saturday morning to where several people’s vehicles had been blocked in by additional vehicles parked in non-designated parking areas. Let’s just say there was extremely good show attendance that morning.

On Sunday morning (with free admission between 10 a.m. and noon) my wife and I arrived early with the hope of beating the rush of people that can occur with free admission. We were able to proceed right in at 10 a.m. and enjoyed a half hour or more before the aisles started getting what I would call, “Moderately filled.” During the show we had the opportunity to talk with several people we knew, and both of us enjoyed looking at exhibits of exceptional wildlife photos. We also entered a few of the raffles located at several booths, and picked up some informative brochures and a couple visitor guides one — for the Mat-Su Valley and one for the Fairbanks area. I also found a CD dealing with fish filleting and processing. Other than my admission for the first day, I believe the only item we purchased was a Tundra Comics book from local artist Chad Carpenter. Overall it was a very worthwhile event for us to attend — and may lead to additional purchases or adventures we may pursue this summer.

Open-water Fishing: Coming Soon to a Mat-Su Location near You

Driving to and from the Outdoorsman Show I noticed people fishing in the small amount of open water underneath / near the bridge between Kepler and Bradley lake along the Glenn Highway west of Palmer. There is not much water depth down there, and it may appear ridiculous that anyone could catch fish at such a location, but every year people catch some of the first Mat-Su Valley open-water trout of the new season from this spot. As the ice thaws a few larger rainbow trout over 20 inches in length cruise along the shoreline and get caught by anglers fishing from or near the Kepler-Bradley Lakes Bridge.

Some Streams Now Closed to Fishing

Flowing Waters in the Palmer-Wasilla Zone are now closed to most sport fishing through June 14 to protect spawning and / or staging wild rainbow trout. I have not seen or heard of the new sport fishing regulation booklet becoming available - yet, but a call to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) office in Palmer (907-746-6300) should reveal when it may be available. I would suggest using last year’s regulation booklet in the meantime. Also be sure to review ADF&G’s emergency regulations before fishing the Susitna River drainage or Little Susitna River. The most recent information can be found on the fish and game webpage.

Fish On