New Features Add Pizzaz To San Francisco Show
by Janet Tennyson
The upcoming San Francisco Sports, Boat and Fishing Show, revitalized under new ownership by the American Sportfishing Association and Fred Hall & Associates, will showcase outdoor gear and equipment of all kinds and feature scores of entertaining exhibits and demonstrations, seminars led by experts, and renowned outdoor personalities.
Running January 21-25, 2004 at the Cow Palace, the new show format and other improvements have given this longstanding outdoor expo new appeal. Hundreds of fishing gear and boat manufacturers and dealers, as well as lodges, resorts, and tourism organizations are bringing more exciting features to northern California's anglers and boaters. Half the show proceeds will go to the American Sportfishing Association for programs that improve fishing and safeguard the fishing lifestyle.
"Our shows are great places for anglers and their families to share the joy and lore of sportfishing, learn from experts, and find good deals on all kinds of outdoor accessories," explained Bart Hall, President of Fred Hall & Associates, who also produces three popular Fred Hall Fishing Tackle, Travel and Boat Shows in southern California each spring in partnership with the American Sportfishing Association. "The feature attractions we've lined up for San Francisco are similar to the show favorites from our other events, and we're also bringing back popular elements from past years."
Fishing Seminars: Nearly 200 seminars on near shore, multiple day, and long-range fishing will be held by some of the most knowledgeable stars, including Bob Sims, Frank Lopreste, Ron Kovach, Bobby Barrack, Mike Long, John Kerr, John Grabowski, Gary Miralles, Vance Staplin, Ken Cook, O.T. Fears, Gary Coe, Mike Bogue, and others.
Bass Casting: Sponsored by Procraft Boats and Mercury Marine, a 50-foot-long, 4,500-gallon bass tank will host such notable bass fishing stars as Bobby Barrack, O.T. Fears, Ken Cook, Mike Long, Jon Kerr, Sheldon Bright, Mark Lassange, Randy Pringle, Aaron Coleman, and Don Iovino.
Fly Casting: Sponsored by the American Fly Fishing Trade Association, fly fishing experts from Western Sport Shop will give hourly casting and educational seminars using two giant fishing pools.
Fred Scheer Lumberjack Show: For the first time in years, families will get to see these super-athletes perform in traditional lumberjack Olympic events such as tree climbing, wood chopping, timber sawing, and log rolling. The entertainers were a longstanding tradition in the early days of the San Francisco show.
Outdoor Gourmet Cooking: Sponsored by Cabela's, internationally renowned outdoor chef Scott Leysath will offer daily demonstrations of various fish and game recipes ranging from the simple to the exotic.
Kids Fish Pond and Other Adventures: Kids can practice their trout-catching techniques in the Berkley Kids Fish Free Trout Pond, or they can explore a "Pathways to Adventure" outdoors exhibit or check out Shark Tooth Reef.
Fashion Show: One of the most popular attractions of all of the Fred Hall shows is the Bongo's Fashion Show, sponsored by Bongo's Sportfishing, featuring outdoor clothing from dozens of companies.
Prizes: Show patrons will have opportunities to win a 7-day houseboat trip on Lake Powell, a 5-day fishing trip on the Shogun, and a $5,000 shopping spree at West Marine. They will also have a chance to enter casting competitions to be a finalist for a $60,000 Davis boat.
"If you love boats, if you love to fish, if you love the feeling that the outdoor recreation lifestyle brings to you and your family, then come on down and join us!" said Hall.
The San Francisco Sports, Boat and Travel Show is open Wednesday–Friday, 1pm–9pm; Saturday, 10am–9pm; and Sunday, 10am–6pm. Adult admission is $10 and children under 15 get into the show for free with an adult. Discount coupons for $2 are available from West Marine stores, Big 5 stores, Outdoor Pro Shop, Hi's Tackle Box, Western Sport Shop, Johnson-Hicks Marine, and other participating boat dealers. More show information is available at www.fredhall.com.
The American Sportfishing Association is the sportfishing industry's trade association, uniting more than 550 members of the sportfishing and boating industries with state fish and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups, and outdoor journalists. The American Sportfishing Association safeguards and promotes the enduring social, economic, and conservation values of sportfishing.
