One of the West's Most Popular Fishing and Boating Expos Leads
the Way in Angler Advocacy
by
Mary Jane Williamson
January 26, 2005—Anglers and their families got their
first taste of what’s new in 2005 at San Francisco’s ASA/Fred
Hall Fishing Tackle & Boat Show held January 12-16 at the Cow Palace.
The American Sportfishing Association, in partnership with the California-based
Fred Hall & Associates, has revitalized the former San Francisco
Sports, Boat and Fishing Show, purchasing the show rights in July 2003.
With 30 percent more floor space and a more than 50 percent increase
in attendance over 2004’s inaugural event, the Show is well on
its way to becoming not just the first of the year, but the best of
the year for northern California’s anglers.
The show also provided an opportunity for more than 300 people to attend
the Saturday morning Sportfishing Leadership Breakfast, a major step
in aligning the interests of the recreational fishing community in California.
Jim Kellogg, president, California Game Commission, Phil Eisenberg,
chair, Blue Ribbon Task Force (CA/MLPA) and Ryan Broddrick, director
of California Fish and Game and Tom Raftican, president, United Anglers
of Southern California brought the message to the individual anglers
attending that their voices are important and they can have an impact
on sustaining, and improving, recreational fishing in California. Dave
Pfeiffer, executive vice president, Shimano American Corporation, and
ASA Board of Directors chairman, and Mike Nussman, president and CEO,
ASA, reinforced that message.
According to Dick Pool, president, Pro-Troll, Concord, Calif., and
Western regional representative on the American Sportfishing Association's
Board of Directors, “for the second year of operation, it was
everything we could hope for. More boats, more exhibits and a very strong
public response. The icing on the cake was the Saturday morning anglers’
breakfast. It did a lot to link ASA with California’s fishery
leaders and the public.”
During the show, exhibitors showcased the newest in rods, reels and
accessories as well as boats and equipment of all kinds as well as featuring
scores of entertaining exhibits and demonstrations and seminars led
by local angling experts and renowned outdoor personalities. Hundreds
of fishing gear and boat manufacturers and dealers, as well as lodges,
resorts, and tourism organizations brought the fishing experience to
northern California's anglers and boaters.
Harold Davis, president, Davis Boats, Pasa Robles, Calif., said, “if
you thought the old days were good, the new show at the Cow Palace is
the best ever. Over the five days of the show, the anglers just kept
coming.” Jonah Li, owner of Hi’s Tackle Box, San Francisco,
seconded Davis’ comments saying, “The show continues to
improve. The ASA will ensure that it gets better and better.”
The ASA/Fred Hall partnership is an important one for the recreational
fishing industry. The American Sportfishing Association unites more
than 600 members of the sportfishing and boating industries, state fish
and wildlife agencies, federal land and water management agencies, conservation
organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists, such
as you. The ASA/Fred Hall Shows provide an important source of revenue
for the association so that it can better represent the interests of
everyone interested in the future of fishing.
