A good day strolling acres of fishing fun in Columbus

Fishing, fishing, and more fishing. If it has gills and can swim, you could find something to catch it with at the Columbus Fishing Expo. I made my first trip to the show last Saturday. I wasn't really sure what to expect walking in the doors of the Bricker Building at the Ohio Expo Center. But after seeing a line of about 15 people purchasing tickets and a large volume of vehicles in the parking lots, I figured it would be a crowd. And I was right -- there were people, booths and seminars everywhere you looked. It reminded me of the old sportsman show at the Cleveland Convention Center. Wall-to-wall fishing gear … anything and everything you might need from a hook and bobber to a brand new sparkling boat and everything in between. Despite the crowd, it was still very easy to navigate. Being my first time there I, of course, had to see everything. Well, at least try. I did get distracted pretty easily as I walked around. Every aisle was full both on sides with vendors of every sort, be it information on a trip, a product or things for sale. Information overload, you could say. I saw lots of products … some new on the market I'd never seen before and, of course, some tried and true varieties. There were lures in so many different colors, shapes and sizes, in addition to clothing, rods, reels and line. Information booths on trips, techniques, equipment and even derbies dotted 3½ acres of tackle and gear. Also, 100 seminars were spread out throughout the show. The expo also had a pretty cool kids zone with trout pond for the youngsters. You could even meet some pros. There were some interesting sights, as well. One was a collection of old lures like I used to see in Grandpa's tackle box, only in much better condition. It was a display from the National Fishing Lures Collectors Club. I was impressed with a couple of college bass fishing clubs. These kids from schools such as Ohio State and University of Toledo were all dressed in their team jerseys ready to talk fishing. It's great so see the younger generations getting involved in the sport. I was glad to see kayak displays. The fast-growing watersports activity was represented pretty well by Raccoon Creek Outfitters (of Albany) with a number of kayaks, paddles and accessories. They also offered an info booth, with expert kayakers answering any questions one might have. Strictly Sail and Kayak (Cincinnati) had their Hobie kayaks on display with some of their pro staff members present. Sheffield Lake's Erie Marine Sales had its new kayak rep doing a cold-water kayak fishing and safety seminar. Chuck Earls did a nice job explaining all that is recommended for a cold-water paddle. It was very cool to be walking around looking at the kayaks and bumping into a number of guys I had the priviledge to meet a few years back when I fished with the Kayak Fishing Ohio bass tournament series. I may just dust off the gear and jump back into the kayak tournament scene with the Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail this year. And there was a nice selection of food – even some fresh-fried haddock from The Great American Fish Fry. If your looking for something fun and interesting, I'll remind you when the time is near next year so you can head down and enjoy a day talking fishing.