Pleasanton Show?

[Sardina]

Never been to the Fly Fishing Show. Worth the effort of a few hour drive? Also, does Mako reels ever show up?

[Scott V]

Lots of great speakers and fly tying row is fun. Definitely worth the drive if you have never been. Not sure about Mako being there, can't remember.

[yubaman]

It is enjoyable. The show has really reduced in size from it's heyday about 8 years ago. I have never seen Mako there. Many of the top rod and reel manufacturers no longer participate, which is a drag, because one of the things I enjoyed most was the opportunity to cast the rods of different manufacturer's against one another. A large portion of the booth's are now manned by lodges and guides, which you gives you a lot of info on possible destination fishing. The show used to occupy 2 full exhibit halls, it is now about 80% of one hall.

There are always some interesting presentations given.

[tcorfey]

I enjoy this show, look forward to it. Smaller than the ISE show but centered on fly fishing so in my opinion it is much better.

To get the most out of it you need to attend some classes and seminars.
There is some real good stuff going on if you pay attention.

Number of vendors is not huge but lots of great information in a more intimate atmosphere.

Just my opinion.

[JayDubP]

Agree with tcorfey...... You can spend quality time with exhibitors, presenters and demonstrators. Last time I bought a fishing inflatable I bought at this show at big discount.. I spent all the time I needed talking to Outcast, Watermaster and Scadden. In fact, being able to talk to Dave Scadden in depth was one of the reason I bought a Watermaster. (those who know Dave will understand).

Show is at Alameda County Fairgrounds, so it is easy to get in and out- about 1/2mile from the freeway.

If you ask here, you should be able to find people in your area who will carpool-- as with most shows, cost of parking seems high.

Jim

[k.hanley]

Howdy Sardina,
Here's the link to the show website. https://flyfishingshow.com/pleasanton-ca/

Simply scroll down and you'll see the button to view the Exhibitors Map, Speakers, Tiers, etc. Enjoy!
Cheers, Ken

[mogaru]

Its a small but very interesting show. I wish more of the fly fishing manufacturers would make their presence in this show.....

[JD]

Perhaps if you have never been to such as show, it might be worth driving an hour or two, but not worth much more than that in my opinion. In its heyday was a great show, but has been slowing dying on the vine and the new venue is awful, especially for the presentations. YMMV.

[cdevine]

It was a good show. I really enjoy catching up with all the guides/reps/etc. There are some great people in this business and I generally like the vibe. Matt Koles (Gilligan) did a really nice review of the lower truckee river. Sucks there are no fish in that section.... Don't waste your time. (HAHAHHA). Places like LCO and Fly Fishing Specialities had great selections. Scott, Sage, Orvis, and Hardy were really well represented. I met some folks I've communicated with online. Spent some money and had a few beers. Good stuff. Just need the sun to come out!

[tcorfey]

I had a great time also. This was the first time I had seen Orvis at the show and I got to talk with Tom Rosenbauer and the Orvis head casting instructor Pete Kutzer both are really nice people to talk to. Stopped by the Hardy booth and asked if they had any pawls for my Princess reel (I lost one) and they provided a replacement free of charge! Spoke with a bunch of the other regular contributors/vendors the lady over in the Cal Trout booth was super nice also the guys at Dry Fly Innovations. Of course I had to look at all the new rods/reels and spent some time talking bamboo with Joe Bradley. The fly tyers are always fun to talk to and very knowledgeable, it was great to see Mas Okui again. Ended up purchasing a bunch of stuff at good prices including a nice condition CFO III reel and I bought my son some lightweight wading boots. Overall it is a great time and a nice break from the winter.

[Darian]

Every year I look forward to going to this show and was not disappointed. Was able to connect/visit with several fly fishing friendsAll of the exhibitors were friendly/informative. I spent less than I normally do but that's OK. The Tyers were interesting. I really enjoy Steve Potters works as well as Jay Murakoshis' flies. Now back to the original question of whether this show worth the effort to attend?? As usual, I was able to make the trip down there on Friday AM in about 2.5 hours, including a stop for a coffee. Recalling that commute traffic on Friday afternoon is always horrendous, I left the show around 2:30 or 2:45. It took about 4.5 hours to return to Sacramento. On 680/I80, it was bumper to bumper, stop/go at most times and traffic reports indicated that it was the same on each corridor leaving the Bay Area. Either I have to change the day I attend or stay overnight I guess....

[cdevine]

I went on Sunday and it was smooth sailing but I was out of there around 130. Maybe that hour made a big difference? Bay area traffic is pretty brutal now though. Solid stuff though. Glad you guys had a similar experience. You can tell Orvis and a few others are really trying to get women involved in the sport. That is a real opportunity. I encourage that as well so long as my wife doesn't take it up... :cool:

[EricO]

I went on Sunday and it was smooth sailing but I was out of there around 130. Maybe that hour made a big difference? Bay area traffic is pretty brutal now though. Solid stuff though. Glad you guys had a similar experience. You can tell Orvis and a few others are really trying to get women involved in the sport. That is a real opportunity. I encourage that as well so long as my wife doesn't take it up... :cool:

LOL..that's funny CD. You gotta be real careful with spouses. My wife fishes with me, but only
select places where wading is straight forward. Water up to my waist is chest high for her.
No bueno.

So no Pit River...ever, no NFF, no Big Truckee for the most part, unless flows are sub-500.

We were fishing the Upper Sac a few years ago and she stepped in a deep hole and promptly
went up to her chin. Good thing we were wet wading. Five minutes later, I stepped in the
same damn hole!

She wants to get out and fish as much as I do, but gonna be a while. Vise time very soon I think.

Eric

[aaron]

In fact, being able to talk to Dave Scadden in depth was one of the reason I bought a Watermaster.



Well played.

[cdevine]

LOL..that's funny CD. You gotta be real careful with spouses. My wife fishes with me, but only
select places where wading is straight forward. Water up to my waist is chest high for her.
No bueno.

So no Pit River...ever, no NFF, no Big Truckee for the most part, unless flows are sub-500.

We were fishing the Upper Sac a few years ago and she stepped in a deep hole and promptly
went up to her chin. Good thing we were wet wading. Five minutes later, I stepped in the
same damn hole!

She wants to get out and fish as much as I do, but gonna be a while. Vise time very soon I think.

Eric



That is awesome! No pit river ever... Hahhahahha. Honestly that might go for me if I don’t see a 400 type number this summer up there. Yeah get ready for those big water tactics

[Baja Fly Fisher]

I enjoyed talking to all the people and even met a few new ones this year. I like our after show dinners with a few friends and discussing the days venue. Sunday's drive home over 580E is like driving in the Daytona 500. My wife was driving and kept telling me to go to sleep, hell no. I was amazed that we got back to Fresno during the day light hours. Must be the longer days or faster driving.
See ya next year.

[Bob Loblaw]

I was there Saturday morning and it seemed quite a bit bigger than in years past. More booths outside and they seem to have squeezed a few more inside too. Had a good chat with Tom Rosenbauer and had him autograph an Orvis 50/50 cap for my daughter. Really nice guy. Picked up a piece of Josh Uetsen art for the man cave. Booked a lower Sac drift. Picked up a couple of books on Montana. Didn't buy any big ticket items this year, but almost pulled the trigger on a bamboo rod. Added to the sticker collection and got my 10,000 steps in before noon.