Dissapointing ISE again

  Arrived at the show around noonish used a 2 for 1 coupon, and started our retail therapy.  It seems each year, vendors are becoming less.  To me, it seemed there was a lot of floor space open.  Ran into EricB, Hojoman, met ElDorado, and finally found the NCKA corner!  Didn't have much time to chat, but said Hi to Mooch & Adam who was busy representing our hobby!  Saw ChuckE's hobie but he wasn't near at the time I came through.
  Picked up my 09 fishing license $51.51! with just a 2 pole stamp.  Picked up a new fishing long sleeve shirt, and new wide brimmed roll up kind of hat for when on the water.  That was it! I got out of there radiatively cheaply this year.

Lots of regulars missing from the ineuyp this year.  coyote B & T, Ace Line hauler, a copple of the other biger tackle booths not there.

Seemed like more and more resorts and lodges.

Luckily, the  kayak stuff was great.  chuck E did a fantastic job getting the workshops and Seminar setups.  Kayak stuff outdrew anythng esle at the show in terms of #'s, and the ISE guys are taking notice.

I have more to relate, but I'm dog tired after 4 days, so tomorrow then!

So great to see everyone from the board there and a number of newbies that hipefully will be here soon.

I might let Mooch tell the dinner story from Saturday Night....awesome!

Allen


ps I will probabably not show any significant progress on BLOTY this week. haha

Have to agree,

 Pretty slim pickin's...   Talked to a few of the Lodge's,  things are not too bright for them

 Have to say the kayaks were the most interesting thing going, But...

  I might have a Bias there..... 

I might let Mooch tell the dinner story from Saturday Night....awesome!

ps I will probabably not show any significant progress on BLOTY this week. haha

Ha, ya think? I still have a food hangover from that pig-out! 

1st one I have been to so nothing to compare it to.  Finally got to shake the hands of Mooch, fishunter and chuckE.  Tried my hand at flycasting (I suck) and bought a few scotty mounts for some wintertime projects.  Oh and ya, seriously hurt my attempts at bloty as well.

Nathans (13) got his eye on a 30 foot boston whaler.  As soon as he comes up with an extra 100 grand to buy it, a small fortune to berth it, hes good to go.   Too bad.  A few years ago, he probably could get a no interest loan with 5 cents down and we would have at least had a year or two on it.

Like Allen, I'm super beat too after 4 long show days plus working my regular job at nights.

My impression is that the ISE is getting smaller and smaller every year with way too many resort operators and exhibitors selling junk that has nothing to do with fishing or hunting.  For example, there was one booth selling a garden hose nozzle.  Another booth had women selling aloe lotion.  There was also a Big O Tire booth.

Personally, I want to see more manufacturers with their latest and greatest products.  Maybe I need to go to an industry only show like ICAST, SHOT, or the Outdoor Retailer Show for stuff like that.  I doubt those resort operators got their money's worth at this ISE show, especially in these tough economic times.  I wouldn't be surprised to see them bail on the next show, and if that happens, then the ISE could be in real trouble.

Without a doubt, the daily NCKA kayak fishing clinics and our Saturday seminar was a huge hit.  ISE reps, attendees, and many exhibitors told me so.  I have a good feeling we'll be invited again, and if we do get tapped, we should be in a position to get better placement and more stage time if we want it.

 

I wouldn't call the show disappointing but it was pretty mini compared to last years Sacto show and the 2006 San Mateo show. William and I got to check out all the booths we were interested in and both kayak seminars plus a pb halibut seminar. Thanks to Chuck, Zee, Eric, Allen and everyone else that shared their knowledge and experience at the show this year. We had a great time. Except Toyota letting William test drive their brand new vehicles........terrifying!    

Another booth had women selling aloe lotion.

 Hey, that stuff was the ZhaZizzle!!! 

    WAF account..... Bigger....


 Now, to get out and take a withdraw, it's been awhile....


 Hey ChuckE... 

Do you think they had a Clue about my Yak or is my Fishfinder is a Gonner....????

 Thanks...

Hey ChuckE... 
Do you think they had a Clue about my Yak or is my Fishfinder is a Gonner....????
 Thanks...

I put your FF head in your black bag like you wanted.  I just hope they kept the bag with your yak.  Give Keith at CCK a call tomorrow.

hey, reel repair for $5 plus parts.  i saw a couple of you, but where were the rest of you guys?  bill, i still have your reels.  call me.  i am not responsible for anything left over 7 days.  guys, i two gorgeous avet sx's that go on sale, cheap, at the end of the week!!!!!!!!   

Well guys... I had fun hanging out with you all. I didn't find too many interesting stuff to look at but, it's always fun BSing with the gang. Melissa had fun talking the talk with the "Boys" as she likes to call most NCKAers. She also had fun sampling all the beef jerky at the show. $20 a pack was a steep price to pay, but I sucked it up. And we took time out to put what seemed like water on her leg to make it "feel" better. I looked like it was just wet. Oh well... see you all on the water.

Freddie

I had a great time meeting a few of the NCKA folks. It was nice to see so many of you out there representing the sport. The wife and I walked away with a belly ache after laughing with Adam and Mooch. My WAF account is full and I am preparing for a good time on big blue this year.

I was hoping to get a great deal on some rods and reels plus a fish finder, but I guess I just didn't look hard enough. I did stop on the way home and picked up a Plano 1612 box and modified it for the yak on Sunday.

Ray

I was on the fence about coming, but then had to work...that got me right off the fence!  WTG to ChuckE for keeping our face out there.  Hopefully someday we'll get a real show of some kind around here. 

This was my 3rd year going to ISE, and yeah, it's getting smaller. I still had a good time though and picked up a new PFD at the Aquan booth.

Actually, the best part was hanging out after the show and hitting the Asian buffet. Like others said, I'm not expecting any significant progress for my BLOTY weigh in today! 

My first ISE event so can't compare to past shows.  If I compare to some of the sportsmans shows we have up in the NW, I'd say there was less retail deals, equivalent number of resorts, more non-relevant stuff, and a ton more fly fishing. The aisles didn't seem to crowded to me.  It was nice to see some old friends, some of which I haven't seen in a year and a half.  Also nice to see some new faces that I've only even met online.  I'm still full from Saturday night dinner.

-Allen