So yesterday morning Monique and I get in the buggy and make our way down to el smoko grande... we felt we had left early enough so we would arrive in Toronto, around 3 or so pre rush hour... LOL... umm lesson learned we were on the QEW for at least 2 hours from Mississauga till the 403... pain is a good teacher ill say...
any way upon arrival we booked in and had a quick bite to eat at the restaurant, which was fine... i did notice however that they served nice big glasses of draft (this comes in handy later)
At 6:30 we head out the the "Grand Ballroom" cause that's when the doors open and theres a line up to outside the motel... so we get in line and eventually get in and grab a good seat.. with Spiel, Fish Famer, nauti, Dan, big ugli, deg, hometown handyman, mike, slowpoke, Pat, and many more present!!! (even some lurkers who came up to shake my hand, which was as always quite humbling.) Sorry ya couldnt make it Rick.
And then it starts, what turned out to be 2 hours of very entertaining fishing banter by three well ... professionals .. well....
Anyway most of the time they crowd was pretty good and all three presenters worked their way through some .. well fairly over imbibed hecklers.. lol (no not me.. )
The seminar was very well done, entertaining and a big hit, and I can't see why this type of thing wont happen again.
After the seminar was over, Dave sat down and signed autographed $10 subway cards and talked to each and every individual that wanted face time with him.. He really appreciates his fans. After they were through they were handing out Subs to everyone. I told Dave we'll be in the bar if you have a minute to spare after this is all over. So all of us OFC'ers took over a portion of the restaurant, cause the bar was too small (and noisy - some people shouldn't sing...) and put a few back. (You know your getting old when your proud of closing the restaurant...)
In comes Dave, JP and Ryan, as well as the Subway executives, and a Shimano Rep, and Dave buys a round!! What a guy. So we had a few more and had some good laughs and called it a night!!
In the morning Monique and I headed out and decided to see what this 407 thing was... WOW WOW WOW... next thing I know we've been transported to the BPS exit...... so obviously I had to turn in to make sure everything was still ok at the store.. I worry a lot you know.
Anyway turns out my fears were unjustified as the store is just fine. I bumped into Roger BPSbassman and had a nice chat with him, and told him I was looking for a couple new reels and a two piece pickeral rod. He told me that smbhunter (member) was the rod and reel expert and was quickly guided to what I should be buying at a great price I may add! Thanks for all your help Jason, it was much appreciated!
Off we went from there and arrived safe and sound. Thanks to everyone who came out, and everyone who had the patience to sit around and listen to me... lol.
There were a ton of hats/tackle gave away, at one point they were throwing $75 dollar cooler bags of Berkely Baits into the crowd.. I got a great picture below of a attendee snapping it up!!
I gotta say that Subway has done alot for this seminar series, and its nice to see a large corporation like that take an interest in the angling community. Kudos to them.
Heres some pictures from the night!
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