Catch the 33rd Toyota Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition

The Toyota Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition is a great show that has been going on for 33 years. The 2009 show will be held at the Worcester DCU Center, in Worcester, Massachusetts, on Thursday, February 5 through Sunday, February 8. I’ve attended this show since it first began with Paul Fuller, and witnessed its great expansion over the years.

Anglers will be able to take advantage of special show deals on fishing gear. Major fishing tackle and accessories manufacturers, including Shimano, Daiwa, St. Croix, Quantum, G. Loomis, Zebco, Lowrance, Humminbird, Minnkota, D.O.A. Lures, MegaStrike and many others will be showcasing the latest in fishing tackle technology. Since many manufacturers will be offering products and pricing only available at the show, this is a great chance to save money on gear with deals only offered here.

For the first time ever, the show will feature The Bass Fishing Academy. This will be a concentrated classroom program presented by nationally recognized e xperts, including professional bass angler, Kevin Van Dam. One of the most decorated anglers in history, Kevin Van Dam won the B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year award during his first year on the professional circuit (1992) and again in 1996, 1999 and 2008. The Academy will be held on Thursday, February 5th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This year’s show also includes an outstanding line-up of seminars by some of the best charterboat captains and guides in the Northeast, including: Jim White, Ryan Sansoucy, Blaine Anderson, Pat “T-Man” Renna, Steve and Joe Lucarelli, plus many others. Anglers will not want to miss this rare opportunity to learn tips and secrets from these masters. Want to think like a fish? Then don’t miss Mike Laptew’s multi-media presentation, “It’s All About the Fish”, which delivers a fish-eye view of the underwater world of striped bass, bluefish, flounder and tautog.

The Maine Primitive School is new this year. This is an interactive display of a primitive site complete with daily skills and demonstrations, workshops and examples of primitive technology from across the globe. The Maine Primitive School will hold daily demonstrations on primitive fish catching methods.

Returning this year is the Antique Tackle Appraisal Program, sponsored by Lang’s Sporting Collectibles. Visitors are invited to bring any vintage fishing tackle to the show for a free appraisal.

Hunters can take advantage of special show deals on hunting gear. The Blue Northern Showcase of Sporting Firearms will feature some of the “top guns” in the country and offers exciting new products for 2009. Major manufacturers, including Smith and Wesson, Sig-SAUR, Rossi, Benelli, Beretta, Thompson, Savage, Uberti and many others will display their products. Bow hunters will also find excellent products with quality gear from numerous archery outfitters. These will include bows, arrows, tree stands and clothing. The Expo includes an Archery Range, sponsored by the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs, where the young show-goers can either learn archery or try out the latest in bows from exhibiting retailers.

Whitetail Superday is on Saturday, February 7th. This unique day offers a jam-packed series of whitetail seminars by some of America’s greatest hunters. They include Gregg Ritz, Shane Benoit and Peter Fiduccia. Gregg Ritz is world renowned for his technical muzzle loading expertise and is recognized as an authority on managing land for big bucks, hunting pressured whitetails and scouting techniques for surefire success.

Gregg Ritz’s adventures have been chronicled on his television shows, “Game Trails and Whitetail Country” over the last 12 years. Shane Benoit, of the famed Benoit Brothers , is one of New England’s most successful hunters of big north woods bucks. His hunting experience spans Ontario, Canada, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Shane, a renowned tracker, has always been willing to share his passion and knowledge of tracking big bucks and will present his seminars on Friday and Saturday.

Peter Fiduccia a.k.a. “The Deer Doctor”, is a highly recognized authority on hunting whitetailed deer. Peter has produced numerous award-winning television and video programs, including his own nationally syndicated series, “Woods N’ Water” and authored the highly successful book, “Whitetail Strategies”. Accepted as one of the nation’s top whitetail deer gurus, and a highly sought-after speaker on the lecture circuit, Peter will present seminars of the show.

Attending the Toyota’s Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition is a great opportunity for the kids. Sunday, February 8th is Family Day, sponsored by Plano. The whole family can enjoy amazing animals, hunt for fossils, mine for gems, build a duck box, catch a fish and shoot a bow and arrow. On Family Day, children age 11 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Family Day includes a Scavenger Hunt when kids can visit all the great Kid Fun activities on the show floor and have their checklist stamped. They can also visit the Grand Prize Give-away booth to get a free prize.

New this year is the Nikon Wildlife Viewing and ID Center. Native wildlife will be hiding, overlooking the Arena floor. Using Nikon Optics, show-goers can search the natural habitat hiding area to locate wildlife. Kids will have fun exploring to see how many species they can identify and on Family Day, there will be prizes for kids who correctly identify animals.

Back by popular demand is Jonathan Custead and his amazing live reptile show. Jonathan, introduces exotic and dangerous reptiles from all over the world. From the “safe side” of a four foot Plexiglas arena, kids of all ages will be amazed to see this young man handle some of the world’s largest breeds of snakes - an anaconda, a reticulated python and a Burmese python. They will hold their breath as he goes face-to-face with deadly venomous snakes such as King Cobra, Black Mamba and rattlesnakes. The highlight of his program is Lassie, a seven foot alligator. Custead’s program is packed with educational information, plenty of audience interaction and time for questions. After the show, audience members are invited to see the animals up close and may have the chance to actually touch certain species.

There are many unique hands-on activities at this year’s Expo. At the Cold River Mining exhibit, once again kids can pan for gems and even arrowheads in the sluice. Cold Ri ver Mining also offers the “Cave” for kids to explore and hunt fossils. Families will enjoy fishing in the trout pond. Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Sunday they will have the chance to build a duck box, bluebird box or a tree swallow box. They can keep the bluebird box or tree swallow box, while all wood duck boxes will be donated to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, who will provide families with a report on the wood duck nesting project.

Another of the Expo’s popular shows is the Talons. Talons showcases a range of raptors as master falconer, Lorrie Schumacher, explains the behaviors and lifestyles of these “masters of flight”. Daily flying presentations are offered and everyone will enjoy viewing these incredible birds up close.

And, of course, families can enjoying exploring the many exhibits by outfitters, guides and lodges throughout North America. These vendors can help families organize the perfect outdoor adventure or vacation and many are offering specials available only at the Expo.

The Toyota Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition runs from Thursday, February 5 through Sunday, February 8. 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 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $11 for adults. Children under age 12 are $3 while those age 4 and under are admitted free. The DCU Center, is conveniently located in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. Directions to the Show: Get onto I-495 South to Exit 25B onto I-290 West. Get off at Exit #18 (Central Street) and follow posted signs indicating the location of the Worcester DCU Center. For further information about the Eastern Fishing & Outdoor Exposition, readers can access their website at: www.sportshows.com

Bob Harris can be reached via e-mail at: outwriter2@aol.com

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DISCLAIMER:  The opinions expressed by Mr. Harris are not necessarily those of the Goffstown Residents Association or its members

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