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News

We are pleased to present the 2009 Fly Fishing Show Schedule.

Portland, OR
January 3, 4
Oregon Convention Center

Denver, CO
January 9, 10, 11
Denver Merchandise Mart

Marlborough, MA
January 16, 17, 18
Royal Plaza

Somerset, NJ
January 23, 24, 25
Garden State Convention Center

Charlotte, NC
January 30, 31
Charlotte Merchandise Mart

Bellevue, WA
February 6, 7,8
Meydenbauer Center

Pasadena, CA
February 21, 22
The Pasadena Center

Pleasanton, CA
February 27, 28, March 1
Alameda County Fairgrounds

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Check our most recent newsletter-click here

Press Release 5/29/2008:
The Fly Fishing Show & FFF team up to introduce a new generation of fly fishers to the Sport

The Fly Fishing Show is proud to announce the formal partnership of the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF) and the show to introduce more people to our sport. “We hope to continue, as we have since the first days of the show, to work with F.F.F., an organization that truly cares about the future of fly fishing,” said Chuck Furimsky, the show’s director.
     “With show locations in eight strategic geographic areas the potential for introducing people to fly fishing is a sure winner. In the last twenty years my shows have introduced over 100,000 curious people to our sport, that are now dedicated participants, but we’re looking for more” continued Chuck.
     “ F.F.F. has always been a part of every show because of dedicated regional members volunteering their love and knowledge of our sport to newcomers. Now with this partnership, the global support of F.F.F. that has active members in over 23 countries, is a positive step to promoting fly fishing to everyone,” affirmed Chuck.
     Plans are being finalized to present an “Introduction to Fly Fishing” area staffed by men, women and youth members of F.F.F. that will provide free instruction to any of the tens of thousands who attend the shows. All questions and help requests in every aspect of fly fishing will be professionally responded to by qualified and certified F.F.F. instructors and show personnel.”
     “The best way to introduce newcomers to our sport is to immerse them into an atmosphere of total fly fishing with the best teachers in our sport,” reiterated Chuck. I believe the future of our sport will be served even better with this cooperative effort.”
       “The federation is extremely happy to be associated with The Fly fishing Show and it’s 8 shows across the country in 2009.” Stated R.P. “Van” VanGeitenbeek “Through these venues the FFF and it’s members will be able to reach new tyers and fly caster and cultivate and advance the art, science and sport of fly fishing” Van added “ Across the country the Fly Fishing Shows partnership will allow FFF to facilitate and improve the knowledge of fly fishing, and meet our goals with crowds dedicated to learning the standards, honor and courtesy of anglers that FFF espouses.”

Denver Fly Fishing Show Exhibitors Respond:

I thought the show went very well and we had good crowds. Good job on
      your efforts. I talked to a couple of customers that attended both shows
      and they both had about the same comment. If you want to buy stuff and
      learn about fly fishing you came to this show. If you wanted to see what
      was new for 2008 you went downtown. They both thought the crowds were
      about a 1/3 of what was at our show.

      Thanks Again,
      Matt Wray
      BW Sports, Inc.

Chuck-Hills Hats of New Zealand had a great show. Maybe our best yet for a Fly Show. Sales were very strong, in fact I was swamped all day Saturday.

Customers love the location and the "real" atmosphere your show provides.

Brett Robben
www.RMOHATS.com
303-433-6212

     I thought the show was good. Traffic in my area was off about 15% from
      other years but considering the situation I thought it went well. As far
      as sales go I had a better than average year. As you know I have done this
      show 4 or 5 years now and have done the California shows in the past, and this
      show was better than any California show and very close to the other Denver
      shows.
      I hope that next year we don't have to deal with this bull shit but you
      know I will be at your show eitherway.

      Thanks
      Darren Christiansen

      It was our first time having a booth at one of your shows and we were
      excited about the exposure we received. It was a great learning
      experience from a marketing point of view. We learned what the perception
      of fishing in Oregon is to anglers in Colorado. Next year we will adjust
      our marketing to capture anglers we may have missed. Overall we gained a
      number of new clients and will look forward to participating in future Fly
      Fishing Show events.

      Thanks,
      Damien Nurre

      The Denver show this year was very successful with attendence where it is
      has always been. In my survey of attendents, they said they chose the Fly
      Fishing West show because it had a "Colorado" feel to it and this was the
      show that they always attended to meet their fly fishing needs.

      Thanks,
      Bill Leuchten
      Front Range Anglers


      Just wanted to send you a few words that you may use on your web site if
      you want.
      The Denver Fly Fishing Sho was a fabulous show and we had a great time.
      We were very pleased with the turnout for the 2008 Denver flyfishing show this
      year. The weather cooperated as well.
      We had an excellent array of visitors to our booth and our presentations.
      We hope to be able to turn some of these anglers into lifelong clients and
      friends.
      We liked our location and would like the same location next year. We are
      planning on staying with you.

      Ellyn
      Ft. Smith


      Thanks for putting together another great show in Denver. All three days
      we had steady traffic through our booth. Most people were just curious
      about our lodge, but some were there to do research for an upcoming trip
      and asked all the right questions. We also had several of the celebrities,
      authors and tiers stop by our booth and take an interest in our lodge. It
      was a great opportunity to meet with the industry pros and have a personal
      and meaningful conversation with them.

      The Fly Fishing Show is still the best venue to see all the top
      outfitters, fly casters and tiers under one roof. Whether you're the
      featured fly tier presenting at the show, or the newcomer shelling out for
      the admission fee to learn more about the sport, I find that everybody
      there at the show has similar intentions: score a deal or two, learn
      something new and most of all, hang with a bunch of fellow
      feather-throwers. All of the egos seem to be left at the door and at the
      end of the day, we're all just men and women who like to fly fish.

      All the best Chuck and see you in Bellevue.
      Sincerely,

      Trevor Nowak
      Plummer's Arctic Lodges
      Great Bear Lake, Great Slave Lake and Tree River
      1-800-665-0240
      www.canadianarcticfishing.com

      Chuck and everyone at The Fly Fishing Show West: Thanks for putting on a
      great show. I especially appreciate the Bamboo Revival. The Denver show
      has become my main source for contacts and new orders. Since I'm a bamboo
      rod builder I'm not really dependent on the big tackle manufactures. If I
      were a small retailer or graphite rod builder I would have felt abandoned
      by AFFTA and the big companies that are now trying to control everything.
      I've had a couple of my customers tell me they went to both shows and were
      disappointed in the affta show, and that your show was much better. I think
      this ploy will come back and bite them. You know, corporate board room
      tactics just don't belong on a trout stream.

       Once again I can't thank you enough. I enjoyed helping Jeff Hatton with
      his seminar and if I can be of help next year just let me know. I'd be
      glad to do a seminar or demo for you.

      Ross Smith
      RASmith Custom Fly Rods ps. Life is short-fish bamboo


      Without having to be overly positive about the show, I can easily say that
      it was probably the best one of the last five years. I'm not just talking
      about sales, which were the second best we've had at your show, but the
      crowd was very involved. My seminars were SRO and my destination theater
      on Saturday had well over 100 people, probably closer to 150. We had good
      questions in the booth concerning fishing trips and classes, with some
      folks actually booking at the show, which for us, because we're local,
      very rarely happens. The crowd was different from previous years with a
      lot of beginners and families. That's just what we needed. The same old
      faces are OK, but they expect something totally new and exciting each year
      and that, quite frankly, is hard to do. Front Range Fly Fishers are used
      to tons of information and have more resources than almost anywere in the
      US on a daily basis. It's tough to give them a show that is new and
      different. The kid's casting clinics and the casting contest had a lot of
      interest and was certainly a draw.

      From what I've learned about the AFFTA show from associates and customers,
      they had the old crowd and a somewhat younger crowd than we did. Their
      sales were good but attendance at seminars was marginal, even for the big
      names. The "New Look" simply never materialized and it was pretty much
      the same model. Like I said, you can only do so much with a building and
      human beings and the Fly Fishing Show Seminars and Events are the best
      they can be. Having Gary Borger, Dave and Emily Whitlock, A K Best, Ed
      Engle, and a host of others is very impressive and just can't be topped as
      a draw for fly fishers of all ages. Thanks for putting on a very good
      production. None of us knew how it would "really" turn out, and I can
      honestly say that it was very, very good. I look forward to next year,
      and if AFFTA continues to try to take over, then so be it. They did
      nothing but make our show better. Good luck with all your other shows and
      let me know if I can be of service in the future.

      Bill Edrington
      Royal Gorge Anglers
      bill@royalgorgeanglers.com
      www.royalgorgeanglers.com

      Just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the shows that put together in the past. I plan to attend your show this year and I intend to ask all my friends to boycott those idiots who are trying to take customers from you and vendors and seminars from me. I wrote to AFFTA and told the that they weren't appreciated and I hoped their show falls flat on its face.

Ted Christie

      While I've only got one year to compare to (and last year had some bad
      weather and a Bronco playoff game to contend with), here,s my two cents.

      Thanks for your generosity in providing booth space to help raise
      awareness about the Pebble Mine situation out in Bristol Bay. AFFTA
      provided the same for us, but I placed my bigger display at your show. I
      am grateful for the support that both shows provided our campaign, as it
      allowed us to hit the entire market. Your show went the extra mile and
      gave me slots to give programs in the Destination Theater. Attendance was
      modest at my programs, but that's to be expected when guys are wanting to
      find out how to catch trout in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison! Every
      person matters though, so thanks again.

      I had a colleague working the downtown show, and I only ventured down
      there for a few hours on Sunday after my colleague had to depart. So, I
      really don't have much first-hand stuff to report. I did hear numerous
      people at your show talking about how it was busier at the Merchandise
      Mart than it was downtown.

      I'm probably just reinforcing some things you already know or suspect.

      Thanks again and I'll see you in Pleasanton. My booth will be in
      Bellevue, but it'll be manned by a few other folks that weekend.

      Scott Hed
      Outreach Director
      Sportsman's Alliance for Alaska


Thank you for the follow up and the opportunity to discuss the event.

      Fur us, it was a good show, all in all. I am new to the industry of
      fishing, and the politics, so I am not well versed in what happened with
      that other show. But I do feel that their actions were a direct attempt
      to hurt you and in the process directly hurt us and all the other vendors
      at your show. I think their actions were petty and classless to schedule
      it the same weekend. Everybody got hurt by their attack on your business.

      We are committed to you and your NJ and CA shows and will do so for a long
      time to come.

      Sincerely,
      Christopher Shiver
      Turneffe Island Lodge, Belize
      a private Caribbean island

     We had a booth (West Denver Trout Unlimited) in which we sold raffle
      tickets. From our perspective, traffic was down a little bit from
      previous years, but it didn't seem to adversely affect our sales. I
      talked to a number of people who attended both shows, and they all
      indicated that the AFFTA show was very "slow", a bit disjointed, and that
      there weren't the "deals" available at the AFFTA show as there were at the
      Fly Fishing Show. I didn't attend the AFFTA show, but the impression I
      received from those that did was that the Fly Fishing Show was far
      superior to the AFFTA event. I would hope, then, that AFFTA will rethink
      scheduling their show in a similar fashion next year. Finally, it was a
      pleasure working with your staff (especially Dave)----they were extremely
      helpful.


      Jon Weimer
      West Denver Trout Unlimited
      Denver, CO

     I thought the show was great as always. Every one that I talked to who
      went to the other show was disappointed.

      Thank you,
      Todd Lanning
      South Fork Outfitters
      800-483-2110

Just a few words to thank you for the great event this year. I didn't know about the
AFFTA trade show and all that was being talked during the show. All I can say is
that this was my first show with you guys and it was very successful to me. I met
some great people that share the same passion for fly fishing and we got several
bookings during and after the show. You have a consolidated event with loyal
followers so just keep up the good work (and relax!).
I'll see you next year at Denver and also at other shows in the West coast.

Sincerely,

John Pak
Rio Espolon Lodge
Futaleufu, Patagonia, Chile

I want to thank the Fly Fishing Show and all of the customers that attended the show. I was concerned about the outcome of the show because only the customers were going to suffer because of the other show. I talked to many customers that attended both shows and every single one said that the Fly Fishing Show was much better. My sales were up nearly 20% from last year which helped me pay for the extra cost of work that AFFTA cost me. I would never got to that show as an exhibitor or a customer. I inquired about that show the day after it was announced and never got a response. It is not right for an organization set up to promote the fly fishing industry to compete against its membership and fellow fly fishing businesses.

I work very hard to put on a good display for my customers and thank every one of them. I will see you next year at the Fly Fishing Show.

Tight Lines,
Ben
www.theanglingbookstore.com

Press Release 12/1/07:

The Fly Fishing Show West is proud to announce it is a new member of One Percent for the Planet. The Fly Fishing Show has been a long time contributer to environmental causes. By joining One Percent for the Planet we are able to help with a growing number of companies to commit to preservation of our planet. For more information go to www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

Press Release 6/1/07:

The Fly Fishing Show West announces new show team

The Fly Fishing Show West, a national promoter of the sport and business of fly fishing, has made several new appointments in anticipation of the move to its new headquarters in Somerset, PA., effective June 1, 2007.

"That's not to be confused with the show held in Somerset, N.J.," said Chuck Furimsky, the shows Director. "It's just a coincidence that I live nest to Somerset, PA. one of many cities named Somerset in the country."

David Sewak has been hired to manage the Somerset office. "His experience in conservation, ecology, stream restoration and his knowledge of fly fishing and fly-tying provides a perfect package for management," states Chuck. David was a Natural Resources Manager and has 12 years experience working for Non-profits, the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of the Interior. One of his projects received a Millennium Trails White House Award, and he has presented over 20 times at national conferences on water quality issues and recreational planning and development, before accepting the Fly Fishing Show West position.

Ben Furimsky, Chuck's son, will be more active in the show and has taken the position of Co-Director. Ben has been around the shows since their inception and has helped develop some of the western locations.

In addition, Jake Jordan will advise in the seminar and program area; Allison Harden, with Conference Direct, will help with hotel selection for the shows; Janet Furimsky will manage the show registrations and lobby as always.

"I'm Really excited about this new team and our commitment to the fly fishing industry to make the Fly Fishing Show West a model of success," exclaimed Chuck. "I have always worked with manufacturers, dealers, and reps and listened to what they need to make the shows better every year. We look to continually improve and make the shows better for all who attend."

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All info on this site is as accurate and timely as we can make it. Please note that changes beyond our control may occur before the actual show dates. If you need to confirm anything just before each show, please check this web site or call us at 1-866-481-2393.