I also went on Friday to avoid the crowds. It was the same as last year, but it was nice to get around and see everyone again. The best part about those are the seminars and presentations. They just need a bigger venue. I'll bet the crowds suck this weekend. I was hoping to try the T&T or Loomis 15 foot heavy weight. Even brought a shooting head, but I took one look at the kiddy wading pool and new that wasn't happening. I would have had to keep my back cast over the vendors to the rear and would have gone through the wall toward the 520 interchange. Not really sure how Simon is going to do a demo in there. I did get a line for my 9 wt RPLXi at a low enough price that with parking and entrance fees, I still saved money. I always enjoy the show and always try to make an appearance.
Short pond? Huh. I guess you are saying you are a great caster. Damn the arrogance of some people really makes me want to vomit.
Just kidding! :beathead
Well, I bought a Loop Traditional Dryfly for a price that would make everyone here who likes Loop cry like a little girl who skinned her knee in the park.
Other than that, Skakes cohorts were awesome and the guys and gals from Kauffmans were awesome also.
Pretty much everyone else had sour pusses on and seemed like they did not want to be there. Well, my theory is if you want to make money you need to make people smile and talk to them. And for the three stands that did that I rewarded them for their efforts to make a sale.
This show ranks right up there with the horrible shows back east.
speycast, make me smile and I will spend $$$$$$$$$
Oh SC, it is not the size of the pond that matters, but the size of the rod that you use to cast out of it!! A 10" 7wt will do it rather easy, especially one that is as fast as that elkhorn. Good casting rod for the couple of casts that I made. Would be interestesting to see how they fish? Anyone with reports on how they fish??:dunno
Never having attended a "fly fishing only" show, I was a little excited about the possibility. And then I saw the admission price - too steep for my liking, so I didn't bother going. :rofl
>Fortuna - I call BS. The nice thing about the sport
>is the wide appeal to those on tight budgets
Certainly one can indeed go flyfishing on a budget. But even budget flyfishing costs a fortune compared with say spin or bait fishing.
For example, a cheap TFO or Elkhorn rod costs $100 or so. A Sierra reel is $40. A premium flyline is $50+. A single spool of mono tippet is $4 as is a tapered leader. You're pushing $200 with just this gear.
By comparison, a comparable-quality spin rig costs less than half that. A good micro spin rod like a Shimano is maybe $50 and a comparable reel $25. Line, what line? A 100 yard spool of Berkeley is maybe $5. What're we at here, $80?
But no question, for those with more disposable income, it's a great sport.
Don't mean to derail this post any more, but one last point....
My first fly rod\reel\line was free. Given to me by a guy who never used it. It was probably a cruddy setup, even back then, but it got me started. Buying a few flies and a spool of line for leader\tippet was actually much cheaper than trying to keep replacing expensive spoons, spinners, and even bait.
My second rod\reel I got at a garage sale for $10. Wasn't much better than the first, but still worked for me.
For most serious and semi-serious anglers, the sport is hardly 'free' (no matter gear, bait, or fly fishing), but with a little effort and discernment, one can begin to understand what trade-offs\compromises can be made and what priorities can be set to fully enjoy the sport, but maintain a reasonable impact on the family budget (or college survival budget). Sounds like Dipsnort has his priorities set and we should all respect his judgment, while keeping in mind his priorities may not be the same as someone else’s.
I take no offense to Fortuna's assertion that fly-fishing is not for the budget concious angler. I happen to be willing and able to spend moderate amounts of cash on good quality gear, but I believe that one does not need to be in the upper income brackets to dabble in the sport.
My issue lies in (my perception of) the fact that show promoters in general know that almost regardless of the admission price, they will lure in a certain core group, and therefore play in the high end of the price bracket in order to maximize profit. I don't fault them for doing so, but I happen to be one of those people who are alienated by what I consider to be an artifically high admission price. No skin off my back really. :dunno
Add the $10 for parking to the $12 for the show and for a few dollars more I can get a good vcr tape on fly tying and watch it again and again or for a few dollars more take a fly tying class at one of the local fly shops. That what I decided to do after the early reports about the show and seeing the price. While I do spend a good amount every year on gear etc my budget does have limits. Instead I spent Saturday on my snowmobile with my brother {first time we have hung out together in years}. Then I fished a local lake on Sunday then looked at a few other lakes for future fishing trips. It really is scary how many of our local lakes have no public way in to fish. Or at least none I have been able to find. As an example Retreat Lake in King county. The road around has signs saying no combustine engines but where someone would launch one exept if they live on that lake is beyond me.
I certainly agree that $12 admission and up to $10 for parking certainly is a bit rich. However, it's also worth noting several things:
First, the folks who organized and put on the show are at the mercy of the availability of a suitable venue and it's rental cost. With all the displays, classes and free seminars, there aren't all that many spaces available that can accommodate such an event. The venue calls the shots in terms of how much rent they charge for any event that wants to use their facility.
Parking anywhere in Bellevue is a bitch these days and will only get worse as the city becomes increasingly urban. Working in Bellevue, I know a few side streets that are less than a 4 block walk to the Meydenbauer Center so I parked there for free. And God knows, I certainly need the exercise.
Second, the organizers of the show aren't running a charity - putting on shows like this is their business, not a hobby or weekend job. If they weren't able to generate a profit and thus an income from their efforts, they'd be doing something else and there wouldn't be a show. They have to factor their costs and then set booth rental and admission prices that will hopefully put them in the black.
Finally, I'd be interested in knowing how many people really went through the turnstiles and how this year's 3-day event compared with last years 2-day one. One exhibitor said he thought overall attendance was the same as last year.
If so, the extra day's rental of the Meydenbauer Centers would be a 50% increase in rent over last year, which coincidentally equals the increase in the ticket price this year over last.
I parked two blocks away for free (on Sunday). $12 bucks to see some world class fly tiers ain't bad. I can't afford to travel to some of the exotic destinations, but I didn't find one vendor that had an attitude just because I'm not wealthy. They were all willing to talk. I thought the twelve bucks was a good deal.
aside from the tying stations my opinion goes like this-
I CANT WAIT FOR NEXT YEARS 14$ SHOW PRICE.......S&%T! I WONT BOTHER GOING. i think the local shops you frequent and the shops here and there you stop in have just as many resources as the show. and the savings of $ at the show is bogus in my opinion. does this show have something that your local dealer doesnt? ive yet to hear anyone say they got a steal on something there as they (booth people) arent gonna lose a dollar on their items anymore than you would want to in your situation. oh, im just PISSemistic about the whole thing
I got an awesome deal on the Elkhorn rods. I got a new 4 piece, 8' 2/3wt fly rod AND a reel for $160, usually the rod is around $160, and the reel around $140. Does that count as a steal/deal?
All I here is $12.00 was to high!
But there was great deals there that no one talking about!}(
Watching all the trying demos, some great ideas!:thumb
Seeing all the NEW LINES!:thumb
FFF auction!:thumb
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