Outdoor show features entertainment, education

The perfect cure for the February blahs is the annual Tennessee Boat & Fishing Expo that runs Feb. 8-10 at the State Fairgrounds in Nashville.

The latest in tackle and gear, along with a series of seminars by such experts as Lebanon guide Jim Duckworth, is sure to the angling adrenaline pumping.

“It’s shaping up as our biggest show ever,” says Duckworth, who will have an exhibitors booth and also conduct lectures on float & fly fishing and trolling for crappie techniques.

“They’ve added a second room, and even with that, all the exhibition space is sold out,” he says. “There’ll be something for everybody, and also a trout pool where kids can catch a fish.”

Duckworth and the other seminar speakers will take questions from the audience following their presentations.

“Someone always has a question about something I neglected to touch on,” he says. “It’s a good way to find out what fishermen are interested in.”

On Friday, Feb. 8, doors open at noon and close at 9 p.m.

On Saturday times are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

On Sunday times are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for ages 7-17. Kids 6 and under are admitted free.

Duckworth says among the hot items this year are the new Silver Buddy lures. He will also display the multi-lure wire rigs he designed and have proved effective for a wide range of species, from bass to crappie and white bass.

Jim’s latest Advanced Trolling for Crappie video will be available, along with dozens of other how-two videos he has produced over the years. Bill Dance’s popular “blooper” DVDs will be on sale.

Virtually every major lure and tackle company in the country will have a booth showing its wares. All of the items displayed – from crappie jigs and bluegill baits to graphite rods and trolling motors – will be for sale.

Numerous area fishing guide-services, lodges and resorts will have booths advertising their services. From Percy Priest to Kentucky Lake, from Reelfoot to Dale Hollow, there will be information about where to go and what to catch, along with rates and junket packages. Some of the exhibitors offer special outdoor show discounts.

One popular stop is at the booths manned by representatives of Canadian fishing lodges and outposts. They feature displays of photographs and big-screen videos showing the superb fishing to be had on the remote waters – some complete with loon whistles and wolf howls.

Some of the lodges offer sizable discounts for advanced bookings. They can provide information about travel options and passport requirements.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will have a booth manned by Agency personnel to provide information or answer anglers’ questions.

There will be taxidermy exhibits, wildlife artwork and crafts, outdoor cooking materials, grills and other appliances.

In the boating section, the latest models will be on display – from simple fishing boats and duck boats to pontoon boats and large luxury craft.

There also will be a wide range of boats and boating accessories, including the latest innovations from life jackets to GPS systems. Company representatives will be on hand to provide information.