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Alaska has many
traditions. And when residents of the 49th state think of the onset of a new
fishing season, it’s not Memorial Day on the Ninilchik that comes to mind,
it’s April and Anchorage’s Sullivan Arena. At least it’s been that way since
1984 or so, when the Great Alaska Sportsman Show was born. “We weren’t
looking to start a trade show; we were trying to create an event,” said
Steve Shepherd, one of the three founders of the show. For the thousands of
winter-starved Alaskan outdoors-enthusiasts that regularly attend, they
succeeded.
For the first show 20 years ago, there were 150
exhibitors. Shepherd and Rick Matthews, another of the founders, quickly
realized that to make the show more impressive, they would need to host
seminars and presentations from some trusted industry experts. They then
recruited a mutual friend, Jay Massey, to handle the scheduling. Shepherd
was now only responsible for exhibitor sales, with Massey taking charge of
programming and seminars, andMatthews directing the show’s vision and
marketing.
Then and Now
Longtime Alaskans may remember the Fishing Fair, which was
put together annually by the Alaska Sportfishing Association. The fair
featured the kid’s fishing pond and was held in the Quonset hut on Fireweed
Lane that now holds Arctic Office Products. It was tough for ASA to organize
such an event on just a volunteer basis, so after a few years of the Fishing
Fair running alongside the new Great Alaska Sportsman Show, the newly
appointed president of ASA, Tom Elias, called Shepherd to talk about a
merger. The two shows combined efforts soon thereafter.
ASA would bring their kid’s fishing pond to the Ben Boeke
arena, adjacent to the Sullivan, and run the operations of the pond, a large
attraction, during the show. They would also be provided with two booths
located near the pond where they could renew and sell new memberships. The
agreement still stands today. In fact, as current ASA president Phil Cutler
explained, “ASA renews more memberships at the show than any other time of
year.” When the two shows merged, a new $1 kid’s entry fee was created to
benefit ASA’s Youth for Fishing Program. The change suits both organizations
and is still in practice. ASA now also hosts Fish Alaska magazine at one of
its two booths, where the magazine promotes a subscription drive that
benefits ASA programs.
The popularity of the Great Alaska Sportsman Show grew
quickly. The number of exhibitors who wanted to participate eventually
exceeded the capacity of the Sullivan Arena. Show managers decided to change
the existing 10-foot by 10-foot booths into 8-foot by 10-foot spaces to
accommodate the additional exhibitors. When they outgrew that space, they
added Rink 1 of the Ben Boeke Arena, which accommodated 70 more exhibitors.
When the demand increased even further, an outdoor tent was added, first
between the Sullivan and Ben Boeke arenas, and then in front of Sullivan
Arena as well. Today, the show is contained in the Sullivan, Ben Boeke 1 and
Ben Boeke 2, and the outside tents. “We can’t grow anymore,” Shepherd said,
“unless another enormous facility is erected in Anchorage or another floor
is added to our existing location.” He tempers the statement, however, after
recalling that he was once quoted in a newspaper article about not being
able to expand prior to the addition of the Ben Boeke Arena. “I could be
wrong, though.”
Public attendance has increased just as steadily since the
show’s inception. Rick Matthews, in tracking each year’s attendance, has
determined that there is a correlation between the number of visitors who
attend the Sportsman Show and the number of people moving in or out of
Anchorage each year. The first show in 1984 attracted more than 11,000
people. The next year over 17,400 adults were at the show. In 1987, with
many people relocating to the Lower 48, attendance dropped to 12,800. “That
same year, the number of fishing licenses purchased dropped about 40% in
Alaska,” Matthews explained. “Then each year from 1988 through 1995
attendance at the show increased by 5% annually.” In 1995, they set a record
of 18,800 in attendance throughout the weekend. Participation has increased
each year since then, and in 2002 over 22,000 adults visited the show.
This year at the Show
What can anglers eagerly waiting for the season to start
expect to see at the show this year, which runs from April 3 through April
6? Influential and knowledgeable experts in the fishing and hunting
industries, informative seminars and presentations, new products, national
manufacturers, boats galore, lodge owners, guides and charters, and of
course, Fish Alaska magazine.
Seminars and Presentations
As always, the Great Alaska Sportsman Show has an
outstanding array of seminars and presentations on tap to provide the
prospective angler, hunter, or camper with some inside knowledge, aids in
planning and preparation, and technical assistance. Pudge Kleinkauf, a Fish
Alaska contributing editor, will host the fly-tying clinic, as well as
conduct several casting demonstrations. Likewise, Fish Alaska technical
editor Tony Weaver will be continuing his association with the show, as he
is set to conduct various casting clinics and at least one slideshow. John
Beath, another Fish Alaska contributing editor, will be back with his
seminar on targeting Alaska’s halibut, while Rich Johnson from the Alaska
Flyfishers, whose work can be seen on page 12 of this issue, will give the
public an intro to flyfishing Southcentral. Tracy Harmon from Alaska Raft
and Kayak will be teaching field repair of inflatables, and Mike Strahan
will offer information on float hunting, camping, and more. Fish Alaska’s
Greg Brush, a full-time Kenai and Kasilof guide, will teach us how to take
our kids fishing. Larry Bartlett and Chris Batin return from Fairbanks with
their presentations as well, both of which are well known to show regulars.
Larry will present a float-hunting seminar, and Chris will entertain and
inform with multiple seminars on both hunting and fishing. Peter Hardy, the
“halibut guru,” will discuss Halibut 101, an informational lecture on the
basics of halibut fishing, and experts from ADF&G will be present on a
separate stage all day, covering a variety of topics, including many current
issues applicable to different regions of Alaska. Other speakers include the
Alaska Flyfishers, Tony Russ, Brent Cole, the U.S. Coast Guard, John
Lucking, Tom Corr, Greatland Kennels, REI, Worldwide Anglers and Luke Bover.
Attractions
This year you can expect to see an archery range, a bird
treatment learning center, and an interactive shooting range. The Sportsman
Show is also a good time to meet folks from area special interest clubs like
the Alaska Sportfishing Association, Kenai River Sportfishing Association,
Alaska Flyfishers, Kenai River Professional Guides Association, Moose
Federation, Alaska Trappers, and Alaska Gun Collectors. The kid’s fishing
pond, always a family favorite, returns again this year to its usual
location in Ben Boeke 2.
Special Deals
There are a variety of specials offered from the
exhibitors at the show. Stop by one of the Fish Alaska magazine booths to
find out about our show specials. On Sunday, April 6, the first 500 people
to the Sportsman Show will receive a free copy of the April issue of Fish
Alaska magazine. On Friday, April 4, be one of the first 400 people through
the door and receive a free Mepps Trophy Series lure. On Saturday, if you
are one of the first 1,000 people to arrive and purchase a ticket, you will
receive a free two-pack Mister Twister pre-tied salmon snell.
Major Manufacturers
National companies come to meet the Alaska angling
community each year, including Luhr Jensen, Mepps, Lamiglas, Sotar, NRS,
Gamakatsu, Shimano, Simms, Abu Garcia, and many, many more. George Cook, the
Alaska sales representative for Simms, Sage, Ross Reels, Rio Products, and
Umpqua explained the event as essential for the companies he represents.
“This show represents the single best stage for meeting and talking with the
resident Alaska angler,” Cook said. “It is our first and best shot to
introduce new products and gain knowledge of their equipment needs.”
Lamiglas shares a similar anniversary with the Great
Alaska Sportsman Show, as the show’s beginnings date to the first release of
their famous “Kenai Special” rod. In 2003, Lamiglas will be introducing a
limited 20th anniversary rod called the “Kenai Special Edition.” John Posey
from Lamiglas says, “The rod commemorates both the Kenai River, one of the
all-time top salmon rivers in the world, and a rod that has certainly caught
a lion’s share of big fish over the years. We built this special rod very
similar to the original rod, with like cosmetics. We stayed with Fuji
guides, as they are quite a bit better than guides of 20 years ago, but we
have maintained the classic look and feel of the Kenai Special. Introducing
this model at the Great Alaska Sportsman Show, where some of the first Kenai
Specials were sold 20 years ago, brings Lamiglas great pleasure,” Posey
continued. “Since then thousands of anglers know the Kenai Special and have
used it for salmon fishing from California all the way up the West Coast.
The new Kenai Special Edition will premiere at the show and be available at
dealers all over Alaska.”
Goo Vogt, Alaska rep for Sotar rafts, has participated at
the show since the start in 1984. “It is the only show I exhibit at,” he
offered, adding that there wasn’t another show quite like it. “It’s unique
in its education to the public and presentation of new equipment.” Vogt has
worked closely with Sotar to develop the “Alaskan” series of rafts, which
are made with the distinctive nature of Great Land conditions in mind.
“Alaska is different from other areas with remote outdoor activities and
means of travel to the Bush,” Vogt remarked. “Any outdoorsmen roughing the
elements should visit the Great Alaska Sportsman Show to learn their
options.”
Rick Matthews points to the long road between the show’s
meager beginnings and what it’s become today. “What started out as a vision
became reality through the hard work and perseverance of the people involved
throughout the year. The most important aspect, however, is the experts who
come together to make this a truly professional sportsman show.” The Great
Alaska Sportsman Show has become a symbol to Alaska anglers that the season
is upon on us, that it’s once again time to gear up, figure out the major
trips we want to take, talk to the experts, and get excited. Lucky for us,
we can do all of that and more. As Matthews says, “Alaska has the best there
is to offer for fishing and hunting; no one should expect the Great Alaskan
Sportsman Show to be any different.”
Melissa Norris is publisher of Fish Alaska magazine. She
can be reached at mnorris@fishalaskamagazine.com
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