Families find fun, common ground at Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show

WASILLA — Those paying extra-close attention may have noticed a few extraordinary attendees Saturday at the 2013 Outdoorsman Show.

Along with a young Superman replenishing his strength with a hot dog was a mermaid and a cowgirl, taking a nacho break with their grandparents, Ted and Sandi Garcia.

“They like this little Western wear booth they have here selling vests and cowboy hats and things like that,” said Ted about what seemed to catch the attention of granddaughters Hollee, 6, and Bailee, 7. “They also like toys, naturally, and anything with horses. One of them’s a cowgirl (Bailee) and one of them’s a mermaid (Hollee).”

While the kids found plenty to keep their attention, Ted and Sandi said they attend outdoorsman shows whenever they have a chance.

“We come quite often just to see the new stuff they have for camping and fishing,” Sandi said.

“I was really interested in that telescoping flagpole,” added Ted. “I was really impressed with that.”

As is the case with many of the hundreds of visitors Saturday, the Garcias also liked doing a little window shopping at the exhibit of four-wheelers. Those are the types of toys Ted said he likes to dream about, but doesn’t ever envision indulging himself with. “I look at that stuff, too, but at $35,000 …”

Asked what they liked better, looking at the exhibits filling the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center or their nachos, Hollee is quick with an enthusiastic response: “Nachos!”

Maybe that’s because Bailee and Hollee hadn’t yet been by the authors booth to visit with Cecilia “Pudge” Kleinkauf. A longtime fly-fisher and guide, Kleinkauf was busy Saturday demonstrating how to tie flies and talking about her newest book, “Fly Fishing Women Explore Alaska.”

“I love to tie flies,” she said. “I enjoy it and you really have something to show for it when you get done.”

Along with her love of fly fishing, Kleinkauf said she also feels like an ambassador at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show as a member of an under-represented group — women outdoors enthusiasts.

“I’ve been fly fishing for over 35 years and I’ve had my fly fishing guide service for 27 years this year, and there are just a few women like me,” she said. “This is a great show, I want to support it. There are a lot of super people here.”

While talking about the show, Kleinkauf is busy tying a brightly colored fly, one of a series she calls “fish candy.”

“You can do a whole bunch of things with these,” she explains. “When salmon come back to fresh water to spawn, they stop feeding, so you’re not going to use a fly that looks like something they eat. You’ve got to get their attention.”

One of the more popular booths at the show is the Hunter Information and Training Program booth, which features a hunting simulator. While most enjoy the feeling of scoring a good hit on a moose or caribou, 9-year-old Norman Godfrey confessed he was trying to miss.

“I like moose,” he said, adding that while at the simulator “I try aiming for not the moose, but it always gets in the way.”

He was enjoying the show with twin brother Cody, dad Norman Godfrey and their older sister, who looked about as excited to be at the show as a dental patient just before a root canal.

“I’m getting ready for spring and I just wanted to look around, see what’s out here, what’s available,” the elder Norman said.

Contact reporter Greg Johnson at greg.johnson@frontiersman.com or 352-2269.

What: 2013 Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show

When: Today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, Wasilla