As we get the 2010 fly angling season underway (looks like an early spring is on the way this year!), keep in mind that it is banquet-and-show season throughout the watershed. Here are some important upcoming events to get your mind back on trout and flies:
37TH ANNUAL OUTDOORAMA: Feb. 25th to 28th at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. More than 150 booths will feature fishing boats, pontoons, canoes, kayaks deck boats, runabouts and ski and wakeboard boats. MUCC’s “Big Buck Night,” “Wildlife Encounters,” a daily Fish Fry, Trout Pond for kids, and Milt Wilcox’s “Ultimate Air Dogs” are among many features. Hours: 2-9:30 p.m. Feb. 25-26; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 27; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 28. Admission: $10, $4 for 6-14, free for 5-and-younger. Information: www.Outdoorama.com or (800) 328-6550.
RED CEDAR FLY FISHERS ANNUAL BANQUET: Feb. 26th at the Brookshire Inn and Country Club, 205 W. Church St. in Williamston. Chuck Hawkins of Hawkins Outfitters will speak on “Big Trout Fishing in Michigan.” Cocktails start at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7. Admission is $30. The event will also feature a general raffle, bucket raffles, card raffles and door prizes. Tickets are available at Nomad Anglers in Okemos. For information, call Brad Reynolds at 333-9258.
2ND ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF FLY TYING: Feb. 27th; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5830 Clyde Park Ave. SW in Grand Rapids. Presentations from some of the best tiers in the Midwest. Demonstrations and instruction, with lunch and snacks available. $10 for adults, $5 for youth aged 12 to 17, and admission free for those under 12. For more information contact Dennis Potter at ausable1@gmail.com at (616) 363-4966.
MIDWEST FLYFISHING EXPO: Dave Hughes, Joe Humphreys, Bob Jacklin and Jeff “Bear” Andrews headline this year’s Expo, scheduled for March 13th and 14th at the Macomb Community College Sports and Expo Center in Warren. Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 13; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 14. Admission: $10, free for 16-and-younger: www.mffc.org.
65TH ANNUAL ULTIMATE SPORT SHOW: March 18th to the 21st at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. Hours: 3-9:30 p.m. March 18, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. March 19, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. March 20, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 21. Admission: $9, $4 6-14, free for 5-and-younger. Information: www.GRFish.com or (800) 328-6550.
NOTE: If you would like True North Trout to Spread the Love about your upcoming fly fishing, fly tying, or conservation event, drop us a line!