Let's put on a show! It is that time of year when the non-snow sports crowd begins to yearn for the chance to participate in their favorite activities.
While it might be months before the fun can begin in earnest, two outdoors shows opening this month will certainly whet the appetite of boaters, anglers and hunters.
The Washington Sportsmen’s Show and the Seattle Boat Show will offer a look at what’s new, sessions to help you enjoy your sport more, and deals on all types of gear.
Here are five reasons to attend each show:
WASHINGTON SPORTSMEN’S SHOW
The Washington Sportsmen’s Show bills itself as a one-stop shopping destination for hunters and anglers. While true, the show also provides a wealth of information through more than 150 how-to presentations and the chance to develop local contacts.
Get connected: The show is a great opportunity to visit with people from the area who enjoy the same activities you do. There will be dozens of hunting and conservation organizations; groups representing different breeds of hunting dogs; and groups with a passion for trout, bass or salmon. Take a moment to chat with the representatives at their booths. They’ll be happy to share some information and you’ll connect with local folks who share your passion.
Listen and learn: One of the best deals the Sportsmen’s Show offers is a full slate of free seminars. The show features more than 10 venues for demonstrations and presentations. Fishing sessions include Buzz Ramsey offering tips on fishing for spring chinook salmon, Bob Kratzer talking about plugging for steelhead, Denny Rickards talking about still-water fishing for trout, and Ron Hobbs giving a primer on smallmouth bass fishing in Washington. Hunters can sit in on sessions about black-tailed deer, elk, waterfowl and predators.
If you’re into camping, the Camp Cooking tent is a great place to get some ideas for your next adventure and a taste or two of some good recipes.
One show regular worth hearing is survival expert Peter Kummerfeldt. One of his presentations is “Emergency Shelters: What Works & What Doesn’t.”
When dogs fly: If you like to see dogs do some amazing things, take in a session of the DockDogs competition. Dogs of all sizes will participate in “Big Air,” “Extreme Vertical” and “Speed Retrieve” skill events. The Big Air finals begins at 2 p.m. Jan. 29, with qualifying during the preceding days. The entire event is open to first-time and experienced canine competitors. For details and registration information, go to www.pugetsounddockdogs.org.
Score a deal: For hunters and anglers, the show is a candy shop. Local retailers will offer deals on gear, while guides and outfitters from near and far will offer trips (often with a show discount) to places like Alaska, British Columbia, Montana, Idaho and across the state for elk, salmon, deer, trout, waterfowl and more.
Show favorites: With the show entering its 25th year, there are some parts that prove interesting year in and year out. Among them is the Head & Horns display and competition, this year featuring full-body big game mounts of a record-setting 2,100-pound American bison, 400-pound black bear and 200-pound mountain lion. The free kids trout fishing pond lets children 12 and younger catch-and-keep or -release a trout and head home with a smile. The pond is stocked with thousands of trout and worked by volunteers. All the gear is provided, including poles, bait and take-home bags.
SEATTLE BOAT SHOW
If you are interested in things that float, the 65th annual Seattle Boat Show has something for you. The largest boat show on the West Coast will feature more than 1,000 recreational watercraft, as well as seminars and vendors selling the latest accessories.
Go techie: If you already have a boat, you might want to check out some of the new gear on display. Among the new items will be Simrad’s new 4G broadband radar at the Yacht Masters’ booth. This dual-range radar has two processors, allowing a boater to have one range set at a mile for close-in targets and the other set at six miles for longer range. Miller & Miller Boatyard will have the first touch-screen wireless automatic identification system transponder, the WatchMate Vision from Vespar. It features a full-color touch-screen and integrates Wi-Fi functionality, allowing Automatic Identification System interaction with any wireless smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Kick the tires: People looking to buy a watercraft will have plenty to check out. Among the watercraft on display at Lake Union will be a French-built Jeanneau 44 Deck Salon sailboat making its West Coast debut. A 2012 Grand Banks 53 Aleutian RP might attract those looking for a large powerboat; it measures 53 feet, 10 inches long with a beam of 17 feet, 9 inches. For fisherman looking for an offshore boat, Stabicraft will displays a 28-foot pilothouse. Boaters wanting a little more speed can see the Cobalt 220 that features stadium-style seating.
Something different: One of the featured watercraft will be the new Seabreacher Y from Innespace Productions. The vessel is submersible, designed to look like an orca, reaching surface speeds as high as 50 mph with the ability to “jump” as high as 16 feet. The Seabreacher Y will be on display in the North Hall at CenturyLink Field. The price starts at $65,000 for a standard J model, and reaches $81,000 for the high-performance X model.
Seminars galore: This year’s show includes more than 200 free seminars, as well as advanced seminars through Boat Show University for a fee. Fishing topics include pursuing Dungeness crab in Washington, fishing for albacore tuna, salmon fishing in Puget Sound, and fishing destinations like Alaska and British Columbia. Boating topics include techniques such as anchoring and docking, tips for buying a boat, and destinations like Southeast Alaska, Tahiti, the Sea of Cortez and British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Boat Show University seminars cost $39 for one session or $139 for four sessions.
For the kids: Walking around a large show can be taxing for kids. You can let them, and some of their energy, loose by letting them try the new Aqua Paddlers paddle boats. Life jackets will be provided. The hand-powered boats will be available each day of the show and will be located in the North Hall at CenturyLink Field.
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