Marlborough show

[flygirl]

Made my yearly trek to the Flyfishing show in Marlborough.....is it me or is it getting worse with every year. I was disappointed with the amount of vendors...only a couple of Rod manufacturers & I was alittle ticked off that they had last minute changes to their program. Had I known Thomas Ames was among the Guest authors I would have bought my books with me for him to sign. I was in & out in 1 1/2 hrs & that was after I went through 3 times. I had e-mailed one guy in Mass. about woodchuck tails & he said he'd have them at the show.....then he tells me there that he doesn't have them at all. I support my local shops but I also try to help the vendors at the show at least get there costs back...but crap like that I don't need....especially when I'm carrying $200 to spend. weather permitting I'll be going to Somerset next week but I'm curious if anyone feels the same way.....seems the selection just wasn't there. On a positive note , it was a nice sunny day for a drive.

[waterworker]

It took me longer to get there than I spent there.That's it for me,although I said that last year too!Bought a couple flies from a young(maybe 14 yr. old)fly tier just because he's trying(and they were pretty nice)but that was it.

[Z Fisher]

Sorry to hear it was such a disappointment. It may also be that the economy is taking a toll on the vendors -- some may not be around, others may not be able to afford the trip. The whole "I'll have the woodchuck" and then not to have it is inexcusable. Poison that well. :-)

[flyaway50]

I agree.It was a big disappointment.Last year was so-so.I won't waste my time or money next year

[The Fisherman]

As a first time attendee, I had fun. Saw Ken Abrames, Sean and Bruce from UpCountry, picked up a few supplies, and spent a quality hour watching Don Bastian tie classic Bergman wets.

[flyrodder]

This was my first time so I have nothing to compare it to. I had a good time. I will say that the show did seem a bit on the small to me (especially for the $15 admission). I would like to have seen more gear. It seemed like they had a lot of space devoted to fly tying. I don't tie, so that is pretty much all lost on me. I was hoping to see more rod manufacturers. I have been to demo days at fly shops that had more of a variety of fly rods to try.

I went looking for bargains (good prices on more junk I don't need) and I did find some of what I was looking for. I ended up getting a new toy. I picked up an 11' 7/8 weigh two handed rod from a guy named Eric Dodds who had a booth at the show. He sells his rods under the name of Wild Water Fly Fishing, out of Rochester, NY. The rod came in a nice tube and rock sock. These were of the quality of something you would get from Sage or Loomis. The rod is built on an IM8 graphite blank. The harware looks to be of good quality, and the worksmanship looks very nice. What really sold me on the rod was the price. At first I was looking at rods at the Greys two handed rods. These "entry level" Hardy rods still carried a hefty $250+ price tag. Nice looking rods but I really wasn't sure I wanted to go that high for a specialty rod that I might not use much. The Wild Water rods retail for around $200 but he was selling them at the show for $129 out the door. Now that is a price that came closer to my budget range so I pulled the trigger. I didn't even bother to test cast it. I don't know how to use a two handed rod, and at that price, if I end up hating the rod it's not that big of deal. I own several rods that I never tried before I bought. If I am looking for a niche rod or backup rod, I am more concerned about the price tag than how the thing casts. Besides, this rod could turn out to be a real sweet rod at a bargain basement price. Now I just have to figure out which rod and line I want to use, and then go and learn how to cast the **** thing. It was much easier to justify the purchase because I already have a wide array of reels to choose from and I also have plenty of lines to hold me over until such time as I might decide to get a proper Spey line for it.

[Flyone73]

Bob, that thing is going to be great in the surf. Find out from the guy what grain size the rod is rated for. Something like a Rio outbound, and you will be casting out past the break. But that is also a great steelhead rod. Thats what I use on the tribs 11' 7wt. And for that money how can you pass it up?

[Ruby River]

I would think the economy has had an impact on the show. It was smaller than last year's and the $15.00 charge was too much. However, I did have a blast with the guys that I went with and met up there and I would say that was always the best part.

[The Fisherman]

Agreed, $15 is a little steep for the opportunity to spend more money.

[WhipFish]

I tie, so I liked all the material shops and Fly Shack had 100ct. packs of hooks for $7 so I''m stocked for a long time. As for gear, I was also disappointed. I had hoped to pick up a good saltwater reel but the selection was slim and the prices were no better than Cabela's. I did give my address away to a few raffles and petitions so I eagerly await junk mail. The best part of the day for me was the cheese burger at the sports bar in the hotel. Very tasty!
I highly doubt I'll make the drive next year. Besides the wiggle worm material from Jack Gartside, Dave and Grady carry all the same stuff in the Farmington shops and they are an hour and a half closer.

[The Patriot]

I'm never able to attend the Marlborough show because it always falls on my mom's birthday weekend, and/or I have to work that weekend.

Bob, that two handed rod sounds sweet, especially at that price! Good call! I want one! But I think I want an 8/9 or a 9/10 for stripers/salt/surf. Maybe you'll convince me otherwise.....

Jeff, do you find that a two handed rod is really necessary for steel and salmon? I always kind of thought it was overkill. Then again, on the Salmon River in Pulaski, I can see where spey casting might come in handy..... big water, tough to wade and get a back cast.

[trouter203]

i went up once about 2 or 3 years ago. i wouldn't go back. i wonder if the NJ show is any better.

[Adam Taylor]

typically attend marlborough instead of somerset due to the crowds...could not go this weekend...will put on my flak jacket for jersey next week. hand to hand combat in the aisles...although with the down economy maybe the crowd will be thinner.

[hookandhackle]

I really miss the show they used to have in Danbury at WestConn. There hasn't been a show there in years.

[Z Fisher]

Agreed. The Danbury show was very good except for the last year when it was just plain pitiful. Not sure what went wrong there. It seemed to have pretty good attendance.

[Catch 22]

There is a show in Danbury. Or was, I should say. It was in November. Maybe not the same as the one you recall, but a show nonetheless.

I lifted this description from another site:



On November 15 & 16, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum will host the second annual Arts of the Angler Fly Fishing Show at the Danbury Plaza Hotel, in Danbury CT. The Plaza Hotel (formerly the Sheraton) is located on Old Ridgebury Road, at exit 2 on route I-84 in Danbury CT. What to expect...an intimate fly fishing show in a most comfortable venue featuring: fly tying, bamboo rod making and bamboo fly rods, antiques, books, collectibles, and a group of outstanding vendors availing the most complete selection in fly tying materials and fine fly fishing tackle and equipment. There will be 40 fly tyers providing non stop demonstrations, programs and seminars, fly tying classes from some of the best fly tyers in the Eastern US, a live consignment auction featuring collectible tackle, books, and accessories. A special prix fixe dinner will be available on Saturday night before the auction. Sign up for special fly tying classes by calling 845-439-4810 or via email at flyfish@catskill.net. Do you have used books to sell??? Bring them. Simply bring a list of the titles, price the books in pencil in the top right hand corner of the first inside book page, drop them off at the CFFCM Book Exchange table and enjoy the show. If any of your books sell, the CFFCM will take a 10% commission and pay you for the books sold on your way out. You have nothing to lose. On the other hand, you will find a great selection of books sold by people just like yourself to fill those empty library slots and likely at a bargain price. For a complete schedule of programs, seminars, and special demonstrations, who will be tying, who will be selling, directions, and other information, visit the website at http://www.cffcm.net/ href="https://webmailcluster.tds.net/do/redirect?url=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cffcm.net%252F" target=_blank>www.cffcm.net and find out for yourself. Bring a friend. Daily admission is $10 and directly benefits the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum....Keep fly fishing alive

[ANDREW W MANCHESTER JR]

Hello
It seems we all have different expectations when visiting fly fishing shows.
We went up on Friday morning and had a great time !
There were some great deals if you knew where to look and took the time find them.
No need to go into my shopping list and the things I purchased.
However I will say most of the things I purchased were rod building supplies and not stuff I can find at my local fly shops.
The highlight for me was casting the new Hardy Fiberglass Rods and from what I am told Up Country will carry the line.
I wrote a review of the 8' Hardy Glass awhile back for fiberglass Flyrodders before the rods were officially introduced.
Friday I had the opportunity to cast the 5',7' & 7'6" I will post my reviews on the Review Thread.
Tight Lines and Show Loops
Andy M
:)

[jim f]

I went for the first & last time. Very disappointed. I did pick up a couple tying tips so it wasn't a total loss.

[dudley]

I haven't been in 5 or 6 years .It got to be the same old-same old and was progressively getting smaller.
Interestingly enough, I was at the original back in '83(?). It was 1/2 the size of what they have now and it seemed even smaller because we were use to going to the Worcester show.
We hit the show...saw what there was to see.... and then made a 'short' side trip up to LLBean :rolleyes:

[L25]

I attended the show on friday morning.
Having attended the show for the past 4 years I've noticed a decline in vendor participation the past two years. In spite of that I have always enjoyed this show. It helps fight off the winter doldrums and it beats working...

[pvansch1]

My thoughts on attending shows or fly fishing gatherings.
You get out of it what you put into it. Vendor participation might be down because of the economy. But,.. If you don't put forth the effort to talk with people, ask questions and work the few vendors there or other attendees, you won't get much more out if than window shopping at Wal-Mart.
I have attended both Marlboro and Somerset, it's been a few years as I have been doing more bamboo rodmaking gatherings.
I'm headed to Somerset on Saturday, I need some rod making components, but more so to hopefully meet many people I have exchanged Emails and bulletin boards posting with. Put faces to names, laugh a little, swap fish tales, learn something new, check out a rods, reels etc.
Maybe even get the deisre to tie flies rejuvenated.

[ANDREW W MANCHESTER JR]

Hello
With 70 some odd Exhibitors ,Current Authors,Classes,Seminars,Featured fly Tyers,Casting Demonstrations,and the Door Prizes !
What more do you want ?
Seriously Please consider the people that all worked very hard to put on this show !
Those of you who think the admission price was too high what do you expect for your money.
The chance to win a fly fishing vacation of a lifetime was enough to cover my admission.
The people I went with and all the folks I ran into were having a great time.
For some of the vender's these shows really help keep the doors of there shops open.
I just don't understand how any fly fisherman could go to one of these shows and not have a good time.
These shows are what we make them I guess ?
This was my wife Janet's first show and she commented on the way home how impressed she was that the show covered so many different aspects of the sport and she was so glad she decided to join us.
It seems no matter the situation there will always be sour grapes.
Tight Lines Show Loops
Andy M
:)