Upcoming Tri-Lake Fly Fishing Expo

On my way down to Branson, Missouri, last week, I stopped at a place to have breakfast in Clinton, Missouri.  As I was walking in, I saw a sign that showed a guy holding a fly rod and a brown trout.  Sights like this ALWAYS catch my attention so I stopped to look over the advertisement a little closer.  I chuckled when I realized that the ad was for The Tri-Lakes Fly Fishing Expo.  The reason for the laughter was three fold.  One, I have attended this event as a vendor for the last 3 years.  Second, I will be attending this event again this year as a vendor.  Finally, I was shocked to realized that I hadn't posted about this event yet.  I guess it almost slipped through the cracks...but not all the way.

If you have never been to the Tri-Lakes Fly Fishing Expo, let me give you a brief rundown in list form.

1. First of all, it's free!
2. There are fly tyers that are demonstrating their skills and answering questions.
3. There are vendors selling flies, fly tying materials, guided trips, and a bunch of other stuff.
4. There is awesome, home cooked food for purchase.
5. Everyone there loves fly fishing and great to talk to.  I mean it.  I have yet to meet one grouchy person or one person that wasn't fun to talk to.
6. There is a live auction as well as a silent auction to raise money for the Tri-Lake Fly Fishing Club.
7. There are seminars put on by experts and it is nearly impossible to not learn SOMETHING!
8. You just might run into someone that you know and you will definitely have a chance to meet new folks to learn from.

I'm sure that I am forgetting a few things because this show is so much darn fun and I look forward to it every year.  This year (and for the first time) the show will extend over two days.  However, if you're wanting to see me (or avoid me), I will only be there on Saturday.  I wish I could take off Friday, April 11, but I have too much going on.  I will definitely be there on Saturday, April 12 and it would be a pleasure to see you and chat about fly fishing.  I will have books, buttons, flies, and other things to sell there but it's a low pressure sell.  I enjoy just talking to others and hearing others' stories as much as I like moving merchandise.  So if you go to the show, please introduce yourself as it is always nice to meet folks that share a passion for fly fishing!