Worcester’s Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Expo 2009

[RJ]

WORCESTER’S EASTERN FISHING & OUTDOOR EXPO OPENS FEBRUARY 5, 2009 AT WORCESTER’S DCU CENTER

Hunters, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts will find everything they need at the 33rd annual Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition at the Worcester DCU Center on February 5 – 8. More than 350 exhibitors will fill the DCU Center to showcase everything from tackle to hunting gear to boats and more.

“The Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition offers so many things to do under one roof,” says Jonathan Sauers, show director. “Whether you have enjoyed the outdoors your whole life or you are just getting started, you will find row after row of exciting exhibits and activities.”

This year’s show offers many exciting new features like The Bass Fishing Academy with Kevin Van Dam. This will be a concentrated classroom program presented by nationally recognized experts and local legends. The Academy will be held on Thursday, February 5th, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Other new features this year include “Fetch-n-Fish”, the Nikon Wildlife Viewing & ID Center and the Maine Primitive School.

At “Fetch-n-Fish”, Jason & Teresa Reynolds showcase their 40’ mobile fish tank, which holds 4000 gallons of water. They will present both educational and entertaining programs on better bass fishing and water dog jumping and retrieving. The Nikon Wildlife Viewing & ID Center gives visitors a chance to use Nikon instruments and identify native wildlife that is hidden throughout the arena. On Sunday, Family Day, there will be prizes for kids who correctly identify the animals.

Among the new features, the Maine Primitive School will offer examples of survival shelters, fire by friction, primitive fishing tackle, stone tool making and split ash baskets at the Maine Primitive School. This interactive primitive site includes skill demonstrations, workshops and examples of primitive technology from around the world.

Returning features include Jonathan Custead’s Dangerous Reptiles of the World; Talons, a bird of prey experience sure to delight the entire family; The Kansas King, the second largest set of whitetail sheds in the world, plus the archery range and trout pond.
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The list of seminar speakers is a who’s who of the outdoor world. Appearing for the first time is Michael Iaconelli. Mike is the 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion and the 2006 Angler of the Year. He appears Saturday, courtesy of Daiwa. Also, Ish Monroe (courtesy of Daiwa and Ranger Boats) and Kevin Van Dam (courtesy of Quantum) are back. Monroe will be conducting seminars on Saturday and Sunday. Kevin Van Dam will speak on Thursday. In addition, there will be numerous saltwater seminars running everyday of the event.

Hunting seminars will be of great interest to all level of hunters. Gregg Ritz, host of Thompson Center Arms Game Trails TV show will be on hand with whitetail seminars on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; Shane Benoit of the world famous Vermont deer hunting family will be presenting seminars on Friday and Saturday and Master Maine Guide Stu Bristol will be talking about the Maine turkey explosion and improving your hunting success through GPS on Sunday, to name just a few.

From hardcore sportsmen, to families simply looking for a day of fun, the Expo offers aisles of smiles. In addition to the smiles, showgoers will want to register for an impressive line-up of prizes. The Expo’s Grand Prize is a fishing trip to The Zancudo Lodge in Costa Rica. Other prizes include The Ultimate Sportsman’s Package courtesy of Kittery Trading Post and a Thompson Center Arms Triumph muzzleloader.

Come to the Expo! Show hours are Thursday and Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children under 12. Children under five are admitted free. Worcester’s DCU Center is located in downtown Worcester. From I-290, take Exit 16.

For 2009, the title sponsor for the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition is Toyota Trucks. On The Water Magazine is the official program book sponsor. Visit www.sportshows.com (http://www.sportshows.com/) for complete details on the 2009 Expo.

All of the proceeds go to safeguarding and promoting the enduring social, economic, and conservation values of America’s outdoor heritage.

[RJ]

From open water to forest and field, the Expo has all the big names when it comes to seminars. Sportsmen at the top of their game will be appearing at the 33rd Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, February 5-8, 2009, at the Worcester DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Among the greats is Kevin Van Dam.

Van Dam has been fishing professionally since 1990 and is one of the most decorated anglers in history. He won the BASS Angler of the Year award during his first year on the pro-circuit (1992) and again in 1996, 1999 and 2008. Van Dam appears on Thursday, courtesy of Quantum.

Fishermen of all levels will enjoy the variety of seminars and talent. Presenting on Saturday and Sunday is Ish Monroe, a nine-year professional bass angler currently ranked 23rd in the world by BassFan.com. He has 12 top ten finishes and has earned more than half a million dollars on the tournament trail. Sponsored by Daiwa and Ranger Boats, Ish will give talks at the bass tank. For the first time, Michael Iaconelli will present at the Expo.

Mike spends approximately 200 days a year on the water and is the 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion and the 2006 Angler of the Year. Mike will share his vast bass fishing knowledge at his seminar on Saturday. Returning long-time favorites are Mike Laptew, “the diving fisherman,” who will present the first-ever high-definition underwater video of game fish, plus saltwater experts Blaine Anderson, Dave Pickering, and the father and son team of Joe and Steve Lucarelli, bass fishing experts from New Hampshire.

On Friday, don’t miss Gene "The Fishing Machine" Ellison - one of the most energetic Tournament Anglers fishing professionally today. Over the past 8 years Gene has become a successful professional angler who competes in pro tournaments all over the country while making his home here in Massachusetts. With tournament wins in 5 different New England states over the past 3 years, Gene has quickly become a formidable tournament competitor. In 2008, Gene was awarded the PAA Lifetime Achievement award by the Professional Anglers Association and was also elected to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

The Expo also presents seminars from several popular charter boat captains from all over New England including: Captain Pat "T-Man" Renna, Captain Jim White, Captain Blaine Anderson and Captain Ryan Sansoucy “fish shady”. Captain Pat "T-Man" Renna is a popular Connecticut charter boat captain and striper fishing enthusiast who is well known for his innovative striper trolling systems. Captain Jim White will present his all new seminar packed with tips and tricks on light tackle striped bass fishing plus the variety of species that are available inside Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.

Hunters won’t want to miss this year’s lineup of incredible talent. Speaking on Saturday at Whitetail Superday is Gregg Ritz. Gregg is world renowned for his technical muzzleloading expertise and is recognized as an authority on managing land for big bucks, hunting pressured whitetails and scouting techniques for surefire success. Ritz’s adventures have been chronicled on his television shows Game Trails and Whitetail Country over the last 12 years.

Ritz will be at the show all four days so bring your questions to the Wild Communications booth. Returning this year is Shane Benoit of the Famed Beniot Brothers, New England’s premier deer hunting family. The Benoits are known for their incredible success at harvesting big bucks. Shane’s hunting experience spans from Ontario, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Shane is a renowned tracker and enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of tracking big bucks. Shane will be presenting his seminars on Friday and Saturday.

Back by popular demand and appearing daily is Peter Fiduccia, the “Deer Doctor,” who will once again share his extensive expertise. Fiduccia is the author of the best-selling “Whitetail Strategies,” and host of the syndicated television show, “Woods and Water.” The Expo also presents Stu Bristol. Stu has been an outdoor writer since 1968 and a Maine Guide since 1989. He has written hundreds of articles for sporting magazines and has appeared on numerous outdoor television and radio fishing and hunting shows. Stu was instrumental in the re-introduction of the original 31 wild turkey to Vermont. Stu has taught numerous classes on GPS use in fishing and hunting. Stu’s seminars are on Sunday.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field. The 33rd Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition runs February 5-8, 2009 at the Worcester DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Show hours are Thursday and Friday, 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $11.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children under 12. Children age 4 and under are admitted free.

For 2009, the title sponsor for the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition is Toyota Trucks. On The Water Magazine is the official program book sponsor. The Expo is produced by the American Sportfishing Association. Visit www.sportshows.com (http://www.sportshows.com) for complete details on the 2009 Expo.