Dissapointing ISE again

i had fun on saturday and got to meet up with a bunch of you folks.  I also ordered a trident 13 from FW, but when I went to the FW in Manteca they didn't have the color I ordered (yellow) and the one they did have was dented a little too much for me.  So I'm going to be calling today to see if the one in the warehouse is any better.

too bad I couldn't hang around or else I would have went to eat with you guys too.  I also noticed that melissa got a fishing license discount at the F&G booth -way to flirt into a discount! j/k

We had fun regardless of the size of the show from last year.. Good to meet all the people we inter act with on A regualar basis....My girlfreind, son ( Cochino ) Monster Guppy, AlsHobieOutback,Stoogie and SCXfactor had A mini tailgate party for lunch. A couple coldies and some chicken salad tostadas.I kinda enjoyed there being less than A crowd than last year, for you had more one on one time with the vendors...ANDY

If it weren't for the kayaks and Alan Tani, it wouldn't have been worth the money, IMO.

ChuckE did an excellent job, but was kinda robbed, imo...  They had what, 7 or 8 chairs available, no PA and the spot was overflowing.  It was good to see browsers stopping out of curiosity and then sticking around...  but with no chairs and it being hard to hear, it seemed like one of the stages would have been more appropriate.

I ran into Jptroy, Hojoman, Adam, Freddie, Mooch, Melissa, and then ChuckE at the DFG booth, also met a few others...  Agreed, the kayak stuff seemed to draw the biggest crowds and it's a shame to have NCKA and Aquan over on the Flyfishing side when there were so many bs booths in the main pavillion... 

The only things I bought were a Hunter Honer, (use the finger-guard, trust me on this!), a leather sheath for my buck knife, and Alan rebuilt a couple of my old reels, (Thanks, Alan!).

At Alans booth I met a gentleman who builds a beautiful "Squidder Jr" sized full-frame reel...  I was afraid to ask how much but I have his card.

I also thought the show was down, even from last year. I was not looking for any particular deals but still enjoyed it much more this year because of meeting up with so many of the kayakers. The kayaking seminar was well attended, I think, much better than the ones I've seen at the huge Long Beach fishing show. Surprised that a portable microphone wasn't made available for the "How To" part of kayaking. Friendlier crowd too. This is the first time I've EVER not cruised every row of exhibitors, because I spent most of the time chatting with others.

Paid up the balance of the cost for my annual long range trip on the Royal Polaris. Picked up some teaser soft baits from Half Moon Bay Sportfishing. $57.50 for this year's license!!!! I will definitely HAVE to get off my butt and kayak/fish more.

Saw Danglin's kayak, but no sign of Danglin himself.

I will definitely HAVE to get off my butt and kayak/fish more.

Don't you mean on your butt

Yeah, I too was not that impressed...  I came with a wallet full of money, wanted to buy new tackle, replace my lost rod/reel, maybe pick up a new kayak!  In the end, all I bought was some of the new Seps dodgers, spinners, and some needlefish. 

Aside from that, most deals were not that great like no sales tax (whooo-hoooo).  Was really hoping to see new stuff, not just discounted old stuff.  Just seems like something is wrong when I expect to spend money, and just end up buying beer...

But it was great to see the NCKA guys putting on a great show, looked like a pretty good turnout!  Hanging with the fishmaster and fellas was what made it a great time, especially the tailgating    It's of course always cool to meet up with the elite members of the board, shake a few new and old hands!

I will definitely HAVE to get off my butt and kayak/fish more.

Don't you mean on your butt

Very good, Mike. You're definitely on the mark today. 

The very first ISE I went to back in the mid-late 90's All the pavilions were packed!  The small rooms off to the sides in the corridors in between the pavilions, were packed with all the fly fishing stuff, fly tying etc..  Those rooms have been empty now for the last 3 shows.  Outside, the smaller buildings housed all the duck hunting, deer & big game hunting.  I remember one building had the duck hunting & calling.  All one would hear in that small space was maybe 50 people trying every kind of duck call available!  If you were a duck hunter it was probably music to your ears.  I'm not, it wasn't!
  The other smaller building held all the off-road stuff. 
 We (My friend Tim & I) always like to look at the new reels coming out from the reel vendors, but they weren't there. 
The flyfish casting ponds were located outside, not in side.  The cab-over camper displays were located in the center of the facility, not stuffed way out of the way. 

  My only draw for next years show will be the kayak related stuff.  It was great to see those I did.  Sorry I missed Chuck, danglin, I did see you kayaks though! Hopefully next year NCKA will get better diggs!

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.

 Thanks ChuckE   

 That's all I could hope for, Now get some sleep!!!!!  I can't believe you worked thru this.... Amazing 

 

Saw Danglin's kayak, but no sign of Danglin himself

 I could only make Friday; I had " Have to do " stuff with The Fellas  Sat/Sun..

 Sounds like I missed a Good Time Saturday Night.... Dammm

 My Kayak now is on it's way to Sacramento ISE where I hope to catch up with it on Friday and see it in one piece,

 Stop on by Friday at The CC&K Booth if Anyone is in the Hood, I should be there most of the Day....

Alan,

Many thanks for the reel repairs!  Now I have to track down some rods to put them on and I am ready for the salt water!   As you said a lot of things can be done to those old reels and you got me thinking about working on one.  I just have t find some aluminum bar stock.  I went to Home Depot, but there's is way to thin.   With the exception of the Kayak stuff, and some of the clinics, it was a boring show. 

I looked at the truck campers they had out front, but $10K seemed a little steep for me.

Alan,

I forgot to mention, I placed a metal shaving in that bushing and it shimmed that spool just right, no more rattling and it engages on any angle!

neon-colored stones you throw in the dryer to make your clothes smell like peppermint or bubble gum

Is that what that stuff was??? I smelled one jar & it made me hungry! Walked away when I realized it wasn't edible. 

Some woman was trying to sell me a $450 jar of aloe vera     Maybe I look like I need it   

$450!!!    It was $40, which is expensive enough! I stopped by there because the sign said it was good for psoriasis and they slathered my hands & arms with the stuff! Bought some for my mother to add to her expensive goop collection!

I had a goodtime at the show. Only reason I came was to support NCKA and meet some of its members. It was great to see ChuckE after all these years. It was awesome to meet Mooch, Fishhunter, KZreels, Hojoman, Jedmo, Bassmanben, Pisciform, Freddie, Melissa , and a whole lotta other NCKAers. I enjoyed the kayakfishing presentation and workshop on Saturday, good job Chuck & crew for all your hard work in putting all that together.

Only booths that caught my eye and paid attention to are the ones that had anything to do with kayaks. Fishing gear I have to much of and have everything I would ever need, plus everything at the show I see at my local tackle shops. Boats I don't care about since I can't afford one, I don't drool over anything I can't afford. Lodges and resorts don't need em when we have awesome fishing in our own backyard. Their was a whole lotta crap that didnt have anything to do with fishing. I will be back next year for NCKA.

NCKA RULES!

it was the best show in my life...i was involved in it, so it made it fun. I can't remember the names of ALL the people I met, but it was nice to put a Real_Face&voice to the avatar. Being around the "Legends" for three days and having my name mentioned in the same sentance as ChuckE,ErikK,AllenB&Mooch=PRICELESS&remembered for ever!
 I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. I didn't spend a dime....I did buy 3cheesebugers&fries though...they were YUMMY!
IgotENOUGHstuff,IneedTOgoFISHINGandUSEit! 

I had a wonderful time attending the ISE on Saturday. I think ChuckE and crew
did an awesome presentation of NCKA. The kayak seminar was informative and
fun at the same time. I wish I knew about the dinner, I would have love to stayed
and mingled some more with you folks. I'll definitely be there again next year and
BTW, it was nice meeting you all.

Jedmo