Let's be real. The Fly Fishing Show (s) as we know them are nothing what they once were. Hell, nothing is as it once was. Either it's the way trade shows are run, attended or not by industry manufactures and leaders, and the general change in the way consumers attend, shop, and spend money, the end to shows like these have came and went. Throw in the whole Covid thing which gave people and businesses a chance to reevaluate and pause and the writing was on the wall.
Fly fishings shows, especially the one in Somerset, were a must attend, and not just for a few hours. It didn't matter if it snowed or the NFL playoffs were going on, you just didn't miss the show, or the hangs that went with them. You attended to see new stuff, see the legends of the game, catch up with old friends, and more importantly, just be apart of something every year. Now, it's a chore, and at times, a bore.
I recently came across the above website for a new show called FLOW Fest Expo. It stands for Fly fishing, Outdoors, Lifestyle, and Wellness. It'll be run by Emily Mauri, who just left The Fly Fishing Show since being a part of that family since 2007, and her husband, Michael, who was a regular on that circuit and I saw him at the casting pond more then once over the years.
So now they come together and present FLOW Fest which will be held in Asheville, North Carolina March 13 and 14, 2027. It's not like other shows haven't popped up from time to time and have been well attended. For a few years the Long Island Fly Fishing Expo satiated fly anglers after The Fly Fishing Show had left the New England/New York area for the season. People now go to Lefty's Tie Fest, ICAST, and other fresh or saltwater mixed fishing and outdoor shows. But none have taken down the leader, which for years has been The Fly Fishing Show. But is it time and could a show like this be a suitable replacement?
If you've been to The Fly Fishing Show, say for the last 5 years, well then you know. Chuck sold it to Ben and things pretty much have stayed the same. Now no matter who ran it or who runs it it's no easy task for sure. The logistics and business and work that goes with it has to be daunting. But no doubt there has to be some good financial gains when all cylinders are running as they should. But even these days the shows can be a big hit or miss depending on what you're looking to get from them.
One thing I know, from industry leaders and manufacturers, from friends who are big guns, to average anglers and experts, no one wants to travel and have those associated costs for a show that may not be a good return on investment, and that goes for money and time alike. There's gas and tolls, lodging and food, salaries for some, the price of the booth or booths, and then the admission fees. It adds up, and if the returns aren't there well then they're out. And TFFS never paid for the talent who ran the seminars and presentations. I know because I did a few seminars back in the day. Maybe the big guns got paid, but for the rest the sales pitch from Chuck was it was a chance "to increase your exposure and meet new clients". Thanks, but that doesn't pay the bills.
So how will a show like the FLOW Fest do? Who's peeling off from TTFS to attend? Remember there's a billion people within a few hours drive from now Edison, and attendance is still weak, outside of the initial Friday push or when Cabin Fever is an all out pandemic. TFFS Lancaster is set for the same weekend, 530 miles away, or an 8 hour drive. I don't know if people will choose one over the other, especially in year one. Maybe the FLOW Fest will attract people from different interests, a larger local show if you will, or pick up fly anglers who don't make the trek to the other shows.
The Fly Fishing Show Atlanta, which ran since 2017, was cancelled in 2026. In 2027 it will be held in Athens, Georgia, some 75 miles away. That show will be the opener for 2027 running January 9 & 10, which is weird, as it always opened in Marlborough. There's other shows in North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, but none as big as TTFS. No matter how many shows there are, or where they're located, attendees only have so much time and money to spend, and I've always said local fly fishing shows are what people need and want.
It'll be interesting to see how this show does. Will the salty fly rodders get their fill here? Will the big manufacturers throw their time and money there? Will the big names be on hand for meet and greets and for educational seminars and presentations?
And of course will the insurance folks, the gutter guard people, the picklers, and the chiropractors, be on hand to fill in those once coveted near-the-entrance booths? Only time will tell with how these fly fishing shows survive in the future. The truth is now a days people don't have to attend to see and learn as all they have to do is turn on the computer to be in the know. And spending time and money to see someone? Well these days you can get a hold of everyone, including the big guns, just by running a social media post by them or dropping them an email or a text.
Our legends of the game are aging out and passing along and the mid-aged talent is busy with careers and family and can't commit. What's left are the rest who may have some skills but are unknown and relatively new to the game, and no one is driving or spending money to see them.
It's a 4-1/2 drive from Bluffton, South Carolina to Asheville, North Carolina so maybe I'll make it an overnighter and bring Theresa along for the ride. We've never been out that way and then maybe I'll be able to say I was there for the first year the FLOW Fest Expo opened it's doors.