As the Ottawa, Boat & Sportsmen’s Show hits Landsdowne Park next Thursday; outdoor enthusiasts are being reminded that it’s not all about the acres of water craft.
For the 24, 000 outdoors enthusiasts who stop-by, the annual Sportsmen’s Show is more about the passion and love for the great outdoors, than it is the 40-foot yachts.
Each year, hoards of people tramp through Lansdowne to gaze at the boats, kick a few tires and perhaps inquire about the available financing options – and there is nothing wrong with that, you know, whatever floats your boat as they say.
But for other visitors, the Show is more about the little things near and dear the average sportsmen’s heart. It’s about getting tips with professionals like JP Ostiguy, Blake Rankie, Paul Shibata, Dave Chong or Grant McAllister, trying your luck at the Minto casting pond, or filling your bag with as many brochures as you can stuff-in.
With over 200 exhibitors on-site, the Sportsmen’s Show gives me a chance to see old friends like Big Jim McLaughlin or Jamie Pastilli of the new Big City Fishing television show. It’s an opportunity to walk the floor; visiting with folks you may see but once a year, and exchange hunting and fishing stories.
(Big Jim McLaughlin)
It is the people and the exhibitors, you see, that make the Sportsmen’s Show a real success – a diverse and dedicated bunch of outdoor nuts just like myself, which is the true appeal of such a show.
(Jamie Pastilli of Big City Fishing)
Hey, if you think about it, the Sportsmen’s Show is really just a huge support group for hunters and fishermen.
A place where you will find folks like master knife maker Murray St. Amour – enjoy nothing more than sharing their craft with visitors to his booth. His knives are his pride and joy; all custom handcrafted from the steel to the leather casement, and he is tickled if visitors stop-by to check out some of his and other master knife makers’ work. Murray‘s passion helped fuel the Canadian Knifemakers Guild, of which, he was founder.
Visit the world’s first Blind Fishing Boat developed by legally-blind inventor, Lawrence Euteneier; his boat incorporates mainstream and assistive technologies that allow him to navigate his12-foot fishing boat across lakes on his own! Come meet Lawrence and his dog Maestro to discover the man with a passion for fishing which led to innovating boating. (I have featured Lawrence many times in my SUN Outdoors Column)
(Lawrence Euteneier)
Hey, and if you’re interested in wild turkey hunting, the OFAH will be on-site to provide information on the Ontario turkey seminar. The Ministry of Natural Resources will also be there; gladly answering any hunting and fishing regulation questions you may have.
The Show also offers ‘one stop shopping’ for the latest gear and information on where to go and what to do to make this your best year ever in the Great Outdoors.
The heart of soul of the Sportsmen’s Show, in my opinion, is the passion of its visitors and exhibitors, and to be completely honest, I could care less if I saw another boat but that’s just me.
The Ottawa, Boat & Sportsmen’s Show runs from Thursday February 24 at 11:00 AM to Sunday at 5:00 PM.
Perhaps I will see you there!
Outdoorsguy