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Steve Martinez on the PM with a customer.
Living Outdoors
By STEVE MARTINEZ
Winter is the time of year when things slow down — way down. Stores are stocking shelves, getting ready for spring and summer. Seasonal workers are wrenching on their equipment, getting ready for that first big job of the spring.
For outdoor marketers and outfitters, this is their busy season, doing show after show getting outdoorsman and outdoorswomen excited for their new products and adventures: fishing tackle, hunting product manufactures, boat manufactures, the list goes on, but you get idea.
Winter is show and expo time here in Michigan and we have some of the best around. Many are within an hour or two from Mason County, which isn’t a bad drive for an exciting day of walking around the different expos and shows and learning new techniques: Great Lakes salmon trolling fishermen (conventional and fly), there are so many innovating things going on right now with rods, reels and lines that it’s mind blowing! New products for the bow hunter to get that little extra edge for the chance of that 140 class buck. You want to go to Alberta, Canada and hunt monster whitetails? It’s there, anything you can dream up is at these shows.
Outdoorswomen, the industry is blowing up right now. Fishing and hunting gear designed specifically for you, no more wearing men’s hunting clothing or waders. These are just a few of the things that you will find.
Golfers, there are even expos and shows for you. Most, if not all have industry professionals, men and women who are at the top of their game in there specific field, giving seminars and answering questions.
Spend a weekend and drag your wife and kids-grab some buddies or whatever and hit some of these shows, you’ll be surprised how much faster winter goes by!
List of shows and expos within a couple hours of Mason County:
Huntin’ Time Expo West – Grand Rapids
Jan. 27-29, 2012, Deltaplex
Feb. 15-19, 2012
Devos Place, Grand Rapids
West Michigan Golf Show – Grand Rapids
Feb. 10-12, 2012
Devos Place, Grand Rapids
Deer & Turkey Spectacular – Lansing
Feb. 17-19, 2012
Lansing Center
www.deerinfo.com/michiganhome.asp
Boat, RV & Outdoor Show – Petoskey
Feb. 25-26, 2012
North Central Michigan College
www.petoskeyboatshow.com
MCE Outdoor Recreation Show 2012-Custer
Saturday, March 17th, 2012 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hunting & Fishing Expo – Traverse City
March 16-18, 2012
Howe Arena – Grand Traverse County Civic Center
www.tchuntfishexpo.com
Ultimate Sport Show – Grand Rapids
March 15-18, 2012
DeVos Place
List of shows and Expos within 4 hours of mason county:
MBIA – Boat Show – Detroit
Feb. 10-19, 2012
Cobo Hall
www.boatmichigan.org
Outdoorama – Novi
Feb. 23-26, 2012
Suburban Collection Showplace
www.showspan.com
Steelheaders Boat Fishing & Outdoor Show – Flint
March 2-4, 2012
Birch Run Expo Center
Michigan Golf Show – Novi
March 2-4, 2012
Suburban Collection Showplace
www.michigangolfshow.com
Midwest Fly Fishing Expo – Warren
March 10-11, 2012
Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center
www.midwestflyfishingexpo.com
Antique & Classic Boat Show – St. Clair
July 14, 2012
St. Clair City Marina
www.cityofstclair.com
Steve Martinez is a professional river guide, working on the nationally designated scenic Pere Marquette River. He also guides fishermen near Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan and in Alaska.
Steve’s website: www.peremarquetteguide.com
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