Just in time for spring’s fishing and hunting season: the “21st Northeast Fishing & Hunting Show is coming Friday, April 6 through Sunday, April 8, 2018 to the Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford, Connecticut.
“Connecticut’s only fishing and hunting show is a great event for the entire family and is useful for longtime enthusiasts as well as anyone who wants to learn more about outdoor adventure,” explains show organizer Kristie Gonsalves, President of North East Expos. “This year’s show features hundreds of booths with more fishing gear and merchandise than ever before and the newest hunting and outdoor equipment for sale by some of the nation’s top manufacturers, including a variety of fishing boats. Attendees can attend 50 hours of seminars by national and regional experts, speak with charter boat captains, watch expert fly fishing casting and fly-tying shows, and enjoy many entertaining hands-on activities.”
Experts include: Alberto Knie (a/k/a “Crazy Alberto”), world-class extreme trophy game fish hunter, writer and product designer who specializes in Trophy Fishing and Conservation; Ralph Wilkins of National Geographic Channel’s “Wicked Tuna”; whitetail hunter Dean Vanier; The Pursuit TV Channel’s Gerry Rightmyer & Steve Schicker; international bow hunter Del DelMastro; Angler and Bassmaster Mike DelVisco; diving fisherman Mike Laptew; lure designer Al Gag; and Fishing Captains Brian Bacon, Greg Dubrule, TJ Karbowski, John Planeta, Mel True, and Dave Brandt.
Returning favorites include: hunting and pointing dog demonstrations from Dusty W German Shorthaired Pointers of Palmerton, Penn.; 4,000-gallon Hawg Traugh Fish Tank filled with bass where numerous fishing and casting demonstrations will take place; Catch & Release Trout Pond for prizes; Blackhawk interactive virtual fishing fighting chair; NRA Laser Shooting Range; Sportsmen’s Outpost’s archery range; and Connecticut Bass Nation’s Kids’ Bass Casting Competition.
Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) booths will feature mounted fish and animals and a tank of live fish. DEEP experts will provide consumer education on numerous topics and present the latest fishing and hunting rules and regulations. On Saturday, April 7 at 11:30 a.m., DEEP will recognize Connecticut’s top anglers during a half-hour ceremony in its booths. A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Mobile VetCenter Bus will be staffed by outreach representatives.
Hours:
Friday, April 6 from 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, April 7 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission – cash only:
$12 adults; $4 Children 5 to 12; Free under age 5.
On Saturday, April 7, the first 200 veterans in line get in free with military/veterans ID.
Sponsors include: Coalition of Connecticut Sportsmen; The Fisherman Magazine; Renewals by Anderson; VA Healthcare; Country 92-5 WWYZ; WFSB Channel 3; Bedard Enterprises; and North East Expos; Inc.
