🎣 Off to the Show

This past weekend I went to the Bassmaster Classic in Greenville, SC. I had never been to one. I have never followed the Bassmaster nor cared much for the Nascar-like comparison of the tournament in my mind. I realize it’s about marketing and growing the sport, but if you follow me, you know I’m a fly fisherman of late. To me, it’s more about getting out and away from everything, to slow down, not race. But I’m also open-minded and love fishing, so I thought “Let’s go to the show.”

To my surprise, a Bassmaster tournament was held in 1993 on the Illinois River by Peoria, Illinois (for those who do not know, I was born and raised outside of Peoria). I had either forgotten about this or didn’t know it happened there (The Illinois River was a “Do Not Swim” river when I was growing up because of the pollution and barge traffic.). But like I said, I never followed the tournament.

On Saturday morning I got up before sunrise and made my way to Lake Hartwell near Greenville, S.C. I wanted to see for myself a launch of the competitors and their boats. Holy cow, that launch was hopping! Even I could feel the excitement and nervousness those fishermen must have felt as they headed out for their second day of competition.

I went to the expo part of the event in the afternoon, and it was everything I thought it would be. Big, bright, a real spectacle. It was well attended too. There were exhibits of all the fishing industry manufacturers of artificial baits, tackle, boats, and outboard motors (I looked for the electric outboards but did not see them here. (Check out my post on the subject here) and of course trucks by Toyota, the main sponsor of the show. There was also a nice size section of 100 or so booths of all the little guys, the ma and pa bait and tackle companies trying to sell you that what they have “will catch more largemouth bass” than any of the big guys like Strike King or Rapala. There were even two small t-shirt folks and one artist’s booth.

Back in the day, I did five or six fishing expos, selling my Fish Face shirts, caps, and artwork. It was always a tough sell, selling t-shirts at an event where 90 percent of the people came to see the latest boats, and gear or to book the year’s fishing trip. I was always greatly honored by each and every sale because of that fact.

I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the crowd and all the enthusiasm for fishing. Lots of laughing and smiling faces (mask mandates are dropping everywhere) hoping one day a lure would be named after them. Most attendees were carrying a mix of “freebies” from the big guys and lots of tackle they may have gotten from the “little guys.” As I walked the show, I came across some old friends - The Thorne Brothers Bait and Tackle shop. These folks are from Blaine, Minnesota. I would always see them at all the Midwest sports shows. It was nice to see they are still going strong!

I have to admit, I had a good time at the show. It brought back a lot of memories, good and bad. Bad, like driving home from any Midwestern January or February sport show in a winter snow storm. Good, like when I first was getting into fishing as a young adult. Going to a sport show with friends was like taking a young child to a toy store!

I may not agree or like competitive fishing but fishing is fishing. If you like and enjoy Bassmasters, then great! I’m all for people getting outside!

Tight Lines,

Troy