Well, I went out there today around 12:30. After looking up and down the streets for some free parking I decided to just go ahead and pony up the 10 bucks to park. At least they have security there.
I had to cruise around for a while to find a spot, you'd have thought the State Fair was on for all the cars.
I walked over to the gate and forked over another $15.00 to get in. At the turnstyle the guy who tore my ticket asked me "how's it going?", I told him so far I'm down 25 bucks and have'nt seen anything yet. Bs'd with him a bit, he laughed when I told him I'd whined at the parking gate too. Sacramento is still a small enough venue that the workers are still people, not invisible automatons.
Walking up the ramp I ran into Bluegrass Bill, and another jawing session broke out. Good seeing a familiar face right off the bat.
So I took a deep breath and entered the 'Fly Fishing Building'. Geez, you couldn't move at all in there. Beat a hasty retreat back out the door. I went around to the end of the building where the jumping dogs were and went in that way.
What do you know, right there as you walk in was Fly Tyers Row. And good ole David Lee doing his thing for a small crowd. I elbowed my up to the counter and jostled a big guy, turned out to be Lee Soares and we got to yakkin. Then Guppy popped up.
The B.S. was really flying.
I called Scott V.'s cel to see if he was still around, he was. We met up at the Fly tying Theater where Jay Murakoshi was on stage.
We moved back over to the 'row' and Paul and Robin Egan had just shown up.
Took a trip through the boat building, and looked around the fly fishing exhibits a bit, then back to the 'row' again and ran into Bill Carnazzo. Bill and I share a common interest in the Rubicon River so I was able to get updated on the status of the FERC relicensing plan as well as just plain BSing some more.
Due to some disturbing news, there will be more on the FERC relicensing later.
Let's see, I bought one 8 doller beer, and one nine dollar nasty pork sandwich. That and the price of parking and entrance.
My impressions of the show. Just opinions, worth what you paid for them.
The show, to get in only, is way overpriced. 25.00 just to make it to the entrance is to me grossly out of line. Everything I saw for sale there I can find at retail shops here for the same or maybe even lower price. That is, everything I care about buying anyway. Is the extra money I pay to shop there just so I can see dogs jumping off a platform? I know they draw crowds but to me it's just silly. They used to have actual pointing dog demonstrations.
The fly fishing building was packed. The exhibit booths were crammed with people every time I went by. That I think is a good thing. Maybe Sacramento should have it's own flyfishing show.
I don't think I have the requisite 'herd' mentality that it takes to enjoy these kinds of shows. Maybe I'm just wierd that way. I'd so much rather buy what I need from a small uncrowded store than jump into that mob.
The saving factor, for me, who just dropped 25 clams to get there, was meeting up with so many board members.
If I met you and didn't mention your name, just pipe up. Either I was distracted by trying to hold two conversations at once or, more likely, just forgot your name. Happens more than I would like.
One last thing. Funny to me at least.
Right as I went to say goodby to David Lee a stranger walks up to his spot at the counter and says, "They tell me I need to see you about a crawdad pattern for Smallmouth Bass".
As I was unwittingly in on the testing phase for that fly, which consisted of David tossing me a fly saying "try this out", I just had to laugh.
The Eight Weight Craw's fame is growing.
It's my go to crawdad fly.
Ed
Elwood: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark... and we're wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it.
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ISE Sacto....
Didn't see Jay M., tho. 
Ate and drank the usual stuff and bought the requisite amount of stuff, as well. Bring on Pleasanton.... 
Originally Posted by David Lee
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