One of the best ways to overcome cabin fever during the long winter months is to attend a fly-fishing consumer show . . . or perhaps several of them. This year, show season kicks off a little later than usual, with the first even not until January 6. Then things really get rolling right through March, as there’s a wide variety of events from California to Massachusetts, and from Texas to St. Paul.
Every year, the list changes, but the pandemic seems to have taken its toll on these expos, as the number of gatherings has shrunk considerably. If you’ve got a link to or other info about a show I’ve missed, I’ll get them on the list.
So find the show nearest you (or the big one you’re willing to travel to) and mark your calendar. Spending two or three days checking out new products, fondling tying materials, or watching one of your heroes on the casting pond is a great way to beat the winter blues. These shows are also great places to check out the new Orvis stuff!
Photo via The Fly Fishing Show facebook page
January
6-7 Western Idaho Fly-Fishing Expo—Boise, ID
12-15 International Sportsmen’s Exhibition—Denver, CO
14-15 Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival—Doswell, VA
19-22 International Sportsmen’s Exhibition—Sacramento, CA
20-22 The Fly-Fishing Show—Marlborough, MA
21 Cabin Fever Day—Appleton, WI
21 Kentuckiana Fly Fishing Show—Shepherdsville, KY
27-29 The Fly-Fishing Show—Edison, NJ
28 Dally’s Streamer Love Fest—Cotter, AR
February
3-5 The Fly-Fishing Show—Atlanta, GA
4 Greater Cincinnati Fly Fishing Show—Loveland, OH
4 Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association Expo—South Windsor, CT
11 Fort Wayne Fly Show—Fort Wayne, IN
17-26 Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show—Indianapolis, IN
17-19 The Fly-Fishing Show—Denver, CO
17-19 Troutfest Texas—New Braunfels, TX
24-26 The Fly-Fishing Show—Pleasanton, CA
25-26 Texas Fly Fishing & Beer Festival—Plano, TX
March
4-5 The Fly-Fishing Show—Lancaster, PA
10-11 Northwest Fly Tyer & Fly Fishing Expo—Albany, OR
11 Tri-Lakes Fly Fishing Expo—Clinton, MO
11-12 Midwest Fly Fishing Expo—Warren, MI
16-19 International Sportsmen’s Exhibition—Salt Lake City, UT
17-19 Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo—St. Paul, MN
18 Maryland Fly Fishing Show—Towson, MD
23-25 Sowbug Roundup—Mountain Home, AR
24-25 East Idaho Fly Fishing & Tying Expo—Idaho Falls, ID
25 Long Island Fly Fishing Expo—Hauppauge, NY
April
14-15 Wasatch Intermountain Fly Tying & Fly Fishing Expo—Sandy, UT
28-30 Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival—Arlington, VT
Editor’s Note: If I’ve left out any shows, please include the details in the comments below, and I’ll add them to the post. Thanks!
Photo by Hutch Hutchinson
Florida?!
Yea, why not Florida? We cast a line or two at the Flats critters.
I can’t wait!
Yes! We need a show in Florida.
Florida! If you build it they will come.
Hey guys,
Could you share with me the the rest of your event schedule for the rest of the year.
May, June, July and so on.
I want to see when you guys are closest to me in Atlanta
Spey Nation. June 22 2019. Pineville,NY.
Added! Thanks.
How can it be the International sportsman’s exhibition? Everything is in the continental USA. What makes up the International element?
Are there other countries outside America ? surely not !
There are vendors from all over the world trying to get you to their country…
The Fly Fishing Festival at the American Museum of Fly Fishing. Manchester, VT. August 10, 2019
Thanks! Please remind me closer to the even, as well.
how about the shows in canada were and when kevin willett
March 3, 2019… The Penns Woods West Trout Unlimited will hold their annual “Cabin Fever” fundraiser show at the Double Tree Hotel in Cranberry Twp. Pa , just outside of Pittsburgh, Pa, conveniently off the PA turnpike. Lots of fly tying/fly fishing quality vendors, several instructional speakers, 9Am-4PM. Check out their website for more details.
Artistry in Angling Fly Fishing Event at Disobedient Spirits in Homer City, PA on March 30th, 2019 from 3-10pm.
need more shows in ny or nyc.
Florida, please. We fly fish down here too. And many of us spend our vacations fly fishing in other parts of the country.
How about the Great Pacific Northwest. I didn’t see any shows in Oregon or Washington.
Albany, OR March 13-14
Hi Phil,
the Heartland Fly Fishing Festival is scheduled for Jan. 18-19 2020 with a great line up of speakers, presenters, guides and outfitters including Orvis Carmel, (IN). Lebanon, IN is just outside of Indianapolis, theHFFF is in its third year and going great. Thanks for including us. Our website, Heartlandflyfishingfestival.com schedule should be current now, (Dec. 18) and also follow us on Facebook for current activity. We appreciate all you do to keep us informed.
Thank you.
Joseph Smith
The 18th Annual Fly Fish New Hampshire Show
Executive Court Banquet Facility
located at 1199 South Mammoth Rd. in Manchester, NH
Feb 22 9am
The Western Maine show
Gould Academy Field House
39 Church Street, Bethel, Maine 04217
March 16th, 2019
Is there a 2021 schedule?
No Florida show?! Y’know, we do have just a bit of fly fishing down here.
Why are all the replies from years ago/ That’s weird!
Because we build each new post on the previous year’s, rather than rebuilding stuff that’s the same.
Sowbug Roundup, Mountain Home, Arkansas March 23, 24 & 25
Dally’s Streamer Love Fest January 28th, Cotter, Arkansas
Unfortunately, aside from a poster released last August, I can’t find any info on the Sowbug Roundup. Nothing on sowbugroundup.org or northarkansasflyfishers.org
Heartland Flyfishing Show
January 21,22. 2023
Lebanon Indiana
I was asked to represent our club in Branson Missouri in June or July Do you have any info on this Example I would need to know closest airport, general area of where this is located (like street or area to book motel), I don’t want to commit without a lot more information I am located in Washington State so this would be a big adventure