Sportsmen's Show will cast off today

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Sportsmen's Show will cast off today

There'll be no ponies that I know of. But the 11th Denver Sportsmen's Show promises in part to be a dog and wapiti show when it opens today at the Colorado Convention Center.

Schools of fish and schooling for fishermen and hunters also await show goers, along with a rare chance to ogle a live, white 6x6 bull elk, visit with gun dogs and their trainers, shoot a virtual rifle and even get wet, if you are so inclined.

The show runs through Sunday, bringing anglers and hunters abundant opportunities to learn fine points ranging from casting curves in fly lines to outfoxing wild turkeys or tailwater trout. Celebrity speakers will hold forth on flies for sailfish, rigs for walleyes, advanced bassing, elk and mule deer hunting and staying alive when you get lost in the Rockies.

The aim of all this show biz, of course, is to draw our attention to about 500 exhibitors selling everything from rods and reels to boats and world-class fishing/hunting trips. Show producers, O'Loughlin Trade Shows of Portland, Ore., say many exhibitors offer special prices at the show for their wares and adventures.

If you're a cautious shopper who never buys a pair of waders or a belly boat without giving them a true test, you can dive into a 4,500-gallon indoor float tube pool. Fly rods take the test at the casting pool.

Gun dogs occupy a perennially favorite arena. Expert trainers and handlers from the National Hunting Dog Association and Colorado Gun Dog Association will put pointing, flushing and retrieving breeds through their paces and dispense advice on training and canine nutrition. Dan Mar, founder of the NHDA, will speak on dog training methods.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife also joins the act. If you have a question or gripe about fish and wildlife management or just want to learn a hot spot or two, take it up with division representatives at the agency's booth. Or pay a visit to wildlife commissioners Rick Enstrom 6-8 p.m. Friday or Bernard Black at the booth Saturday afternoon.

The division also will conduct trout-spawning demonstrations during the weekend. And it sponsors the Dart Trailer, where hunters can test their shooting skills with a laser rifle.

More visitors probably come to the show seeking knowledge than merchandise, and in that regard the event is well-stocked. Here's a sampler of programs and demonstrations:

Fly fishing for trout — Author Gary LaFontaine on tying mayflies and caddis, Jack Dennis on casting shooting heads and sinking lines, Brad Befus on fishing the South Platte River, Canadian guide Kelly Laatsch on fishing with midges and his "Baby Leech," Henry's Fork outfitter Mike Lawson on fly patterns for tailwaters. For the first good dry fly fishing of the new year, Bill Edrington of Royal Gorge Anglers in Cañon City, will give tips on fly fishing the Arkansas River. Expect to hear more about blue-gray mayflies than you expected but plenty about the Arkansas' famous caddis hatch.

Warm water — Columbia River walleye guide Ed Iman on walleye rigs and fishing techniques; Terry Wickstrom on jigs and soft plastics, plus ice fishing and Colorado lake trout; local author Barry Reynolds on fly fishing for alternative species, with his cohort Brad Befus on carp, pike and top-water flies.

Pro bass angler Jeff Boyer also will share the latest bass fishing techniques he learned on the circuit, where he was two-time BassMaster Classic finalist and three-time B.A.S.S. Western Division champion.

Hunting — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life hunting editor, will reveal his elk hunting secrets; Montana outfitter Arnie Gidlow on wing-shooting techniques; Mike Lawson and writer MD Johnson on spring turkey hunting; Montana author Dale Burk on hunting mule deer.

Survival — Peter Kummerfeldt, 30-year survival instructor, will tell how to survive an unplanned night out, quickly start a fire and otherwise manage to bring No. 1 back alive.

Contact Ed Dentry at (303) 892-5481 or sports@RockyMountainNews.com.

January 17, 2001

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