Here’s hoping everyone had an outstanding Christmas and are anxious for the coming year. And with the New Year there are many annual outdoor shows throughout winter and spring in Northern California. The biggest by far is the International Sportsman’s Exposition January 16 – 19 at the California Exposition in Sacramento at which the family of sites of Myoutdoorbuddy.com and NorCalFishReports.com will be represented with a booth.

The ISE show highlights hunting, fishing, fly fishing and outdoor recreation with vendors ranging from manufacturers, retailers as well as destinations and guide and outfitter services. See the latest trucks, atvs, boats, kayaks and accessories on the market.  Attend one of the many seminars on hunting and fishing from experts in the industry, with many of the seminars focused on outdoor opportunities within the North State. Get tips on using the new electronics that Santa left under the tree.  The show offers a chance to book a wide range of adventures from those once in a lifetime hunts or fishing excursions to exotic locales such as South America, Africa and New Zealand, as well as Mexico, Canada, Alaska or other nearby states. Many choose to look at opportunities within the state selecting local regional charters, guides and outfitters for close to home adventures.

There is one large hall dedicated to hunting with many retail vendors offering a wide range of hunting accessories such as custom calls, specialty knives and sharpeners and clothing. A number of hunting dog kennels attend the show with pups for sale as well as offering training tips and selling training devices. There are also many chances to meet with organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting the sport of hunting along with many trophy mounts on exhibit.

Fly Anglers can get tips on fly casting, tying fly patterns as well as visiting with many retailers, outfitters and support organizations within a hall dedicated to fly fishing.

Another large hall is dedicated to fishing with many vendors and manufacturers showcasing rods, reels, lures, fishing lines as well as other angling and boating accessories. A large exhibition bass tank offers demonstrations from some of the best bass anglers in the west.  Many of the guides, charters and outfitters that readers are familiar with from writing or supplying information to the websites will be on at the show either at their own personal booths or representing sponsor booths.

Let’s not forget to mention that the show is very family oriented with many activities for youngsters designed to introduce and encourage youth in the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

Spend the entire day, take advantage of the great seminars and demonstrations and then come back to see what you may have missed. For those who have never attended, if you have the ability to visit on Thursday or Friday do so, as the crowds are less on the weekdays.

And please, by all means stop by our booth in the main fishing hall and say hello as it also gives us a chance to say thank you for visiting and utilizing our websites.

Gary Heffley has been a valued contributor to MyOutdoorBuddy for over 10 years serving as manager, sales representative and reporter for much of Northern California. He is an avid outdoorsman and loves to fish and write about his adventures. He has a long history in the Sporting Goods field and uses that extensive experience to impart his wisdom in his writing.