Mister G Posted March 13, 2017 Report Share Posted March 13, 2017 Mister G Distance to Toronto from Erie Pa = 190 miles Distance to Harrisburg Pa from Erie Pa = 300 miles The reason for attending The Sportsman's show in Toronto instead of the Outdoors show in Harrisburg Pa is distance and travel time plus I believe more outfitters are present at the Sportsman show, also the outfitters I am mainly interested in are all at the Sportsman's show. Seanik From what I have personally seen, they are mainly the same outfitters and the show in Harrisburg is MUCH better. There was a time when Cleveland had a great show at the I-X Center and that too was worth the trip. I have been to several others, like in Buffalo you drove right by to get to the Sportsman Show in the Ontario that also have the same outfitters. The outfitters travel the gambit around and around and have found more info online then trying to talk to them personally. But that was when I was much younger. I no longer do the sportsman shows because they are expensive and worthless IMHO. But hey, that's just my opinion and everyone has one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outllaw Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 check out handlebarz. I know they are there. great folks to hook up with. you wont regret it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acountdeleted Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 Mister G Distance to Toronto from Erie Pa = 190 miles Distance to Harrisburg Pa from Erie Pa = 300 miles The reason for attending The Sportsman's show in Toronto instead of the Outdoors show in Harrisburg Pa is distance and travel time plus I believe more outfitters are present at the Sportsman show, also the outfitters I am mainly interested in are all at the Sportsman's show. Seanik I love this too. We give Americans a hard time all the time over how big Ontario is, but first time I went to New Jersey, we had been driving for about 8 hours and I'm like........ wait........ we're still in Pennsylvania?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigdritchie Posted March 14, 2017 Report Share Posted March 14, 2017 I love this too. We give Americans a hard time all the time over how big Ontario is, but first time I went to New Jersey, we had been driving for about 8 hours and I'm like........ wait........ we're still in Pennsylvania?!?!? I guess it depends on where you are and where you're going. If I drive south from Toronto for 24 hours on the 401/I-75, I pass through five states and wind up in Florida. If I drive northwest for 24 hours, I still haven't even left Ontario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanik Posted March 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Thanks to all for posting information about traveling too and attending The Sportsman show! We had a quick border crossing both ways and an easy 3 1/2 hour trip to and from. The show was great and beyond my expectations, very friendly, both the crowd and exhibiters. I inquired at the Canada map sales booth about an obscure lake in Quebec, the lady rep. couldn't find it in their indexes, she left her booth and went to the outfitter who flew into this lake and got co-ordinates, came back found the lake on her computer. She said they have a show special, 12.00 shipped to my home, WOW talk about great service . Made contact with 2 outfitters on Kabinakagami Lake who fly in from White River, had long and informative conversations with both and will soon book a trip. Visited several lure makers and sellers, bought a few, looked at many boat and motor combinations and went to the food court for several snacks. I had a fantastic day at the Sport'sman show, totally enjoyed it and will be back next year. Seanik Erie Pa USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenboater Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 that's not too bad a drive and really glad it was a productive trip ! hope u shopped a bit cuz your dollar would buy a lot more up here than ours could down there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kawartha Kev Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 I was there yesterday also Seanik glad you enjoyed yourself but the show is a shadow of its former self when it was great down at the exhibition grounds but still a nice break from the cold and snow to dream of what is to come this summer. Kawartha Kev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adempsey Posted March 17, 2017 Report Share Posted March 17, 2017 Thanks to all for posting information about traveling too and attending The Sportsman show! We had a quick border crossing both ways and an easy 3 1/2 hour trip to and from. The show was great and beyond my expectations, very friendly, both the crowd and exhibiters. I inquired at the Canada map sales booth about an obscure lake in Quebec, the lady rep. couldn't find it in their indexes, she left her booth and went to the outfitter who flew into this lake and got co-ordinates, came back found the lake on her computer. She said they have a show special, 12.00 shipped to my home, WOW talk about great service . Made contact with 2 outfitters on Kabinakagami Lake who fly in from White River, had long and informative conversations with both and will soon book a trip. Visited several lure makers and sellers, bought a few, looked at many boat and motor combinations and went to the food court for several snacks. I had a fantastic day at the Sport'sman show, totally enjoyed it and will be back next year. Seanik Erie Pa USA Headed to Kaby Lake in July with Pine Portage Lodge. Will let you know how the fishing was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjames09 Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 Went today, was good show. Saw Karl Kalonka from Xtreme Angler, Charley Ray from Fishful Thinking and I believe I saw Pete Bowman from Fish N Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acountdeleted Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 We went yesterday. Deals are a thing of the past. Was looking to get a rod for the Missus and never happened. But the shows were good. Saw 2 dog shows and the lumberjack competition. Really though, if we didn't get in for free we probably wouldn't have gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Plug Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 We went yesterday. Deals are a thing of the past. Was looking to get a rod for the Missus and never happened. But the shows were good. Saw 2 dog shows and the lumberjack competition. Really though, if we didn't get in for free we probably wouldn't have gone. I also went there hoping to get some sort of deal on some new rods but I couldn't find any. Ended up buying musky baits that I can't get at my local tackle stores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister G Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 We went yesterday. Deals are a thing of the past. Was looking to get a rod for the Missus and never happened. But the shows were good. Saw 2 dog shows and the lumberjack competition. Really though, if we didn't get in for free we probably wouldn't have gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjcanoe Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 Deals are to be had if you know where to look, picked up a trolling rod for half of what another retailer was selling it for. Backroad map book for $10 off and no tax and a free mini backpack for the kids. Many places will take your word for it that the place across the way has something for 5 or 10 bucks cheaper, they need your money for the booth rental and expenses for employees that have to travel and stay there, trust me, most items there are negotiable on prices (consession stand food not included), they are not losing money on things. I did not pay the list price on anything I bought today and both myself and the retailers walked away happy from the transactions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted March 19, 2017 Report Share Posted March 19, 2017 Mike was giving away free T shirts.. what more do you need! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 (edited) Was there today. Ran into Mike at his booth. Caught Calvin trying to rummage through my backpack for lures and beer The main goal was to entertain the grandaughters, and that worked well. They had fun casting, shooting ( Daylilah is one trigger happy little imp), making a lure, and lots of other stuff. They even came home with 4 lures from the casting pond. The girls had a lot of fun, and that makes the show worth the price of admission. Edited March 20, 2017 by bigugli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 From what I have personally seen, they are mainly the same outfitters and the show in Harrisburg is MUCH better. There was a time when Cleveland had a great show at the I-X Center and that too was worth the trip. I have been to several others, like in Buffalo you drove right by to get to the Sportsman Show in the Ontario that also have the same outfitters. The outfitters travel the gambit around and around and have found more info online then trying to talk to them personally. But that was when I was much younger. I no longer do the sportsman shows because they are expensive and worthless IMHO. But hey, that's just my opinion and everyone has one. http://www.ixcenter.com/en/Visitors/Schedule_of_Events.aspx?eventid=%7B89890A28-3BFD-45F8-96B6-CE7095B3059B%7D It's been around 20 years since I went to the show at the IX center, back then it lasted 8 -10 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister G Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 http://www.ixcenter.com/en/Visitors/Schedule_of_Events.aspx?eventid=%7B89890A28-3BFD-45F8-96B6-CE7095B3059B%7D It's been around 20 years since I went to the show at the IX center, back then it lasted 8 -10 days. The last time we went the IX Center was cut into two with a huge black curtain because they didn't draw the dealers in like they had. Years before that, we would stay at a Red Roof Inn in Middleburg Heights and walk across the parking lot for cocktails in the Holiday Inn lounge . . . . that is where I seen Babe Winkleman at the bar and he left with two hookers under his arms. That was way back when he was married to Charlie . . . . boy did he ever trade down with the next wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 The last time we went the IX Center was cut into two with a huge black curtain because they didn't draw the dealers in like they had. Years before that, we would stay at a Red Roof Inn in Middleburg Heights and walk across the parking lot for cocktails in the Holiday Inn lounge . . . . that is where I seen Babe Winkleman at the bar and he left with two hookers under his arms. That was way back when he was married to Charlie . . . . boy did he ever trade down with the next wife. I'm old, dad started taking us to the Sportsman Show back in the late 50's early 60's when it was in downtown Cleveland. A lot of changes as the years went by, in those days catching walleye in Lake Erie became a real tough deal, it seemed like everyone that was interested in catching them was heading to Ontario. They don't have to do that now, and of course costs figure into it? As I recall a lakefront Ontario cabin cost mom and dad like 60 - 80 bucks back then, and it didn't need to be too fancy. One of the guys we fished tournaments with owned a tackle shop in Strongsville, it became too pricey for him to set up at the Sportsman Show, so he started holding his own deal at his store at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonietoon Posted March 20, 2017 Report Share Posted March 20, 2017 Was there today. Ran into Mike at his booth. Caught Calvin trying to rummage through my backpack for lures and beer The main goal was to entertain the grandaughters, and that worked well. They had fun casting, shooting ( Daylilah is one trigger happy little imp), making a lure, and lots of other stuff. They even came home with 4 lures from the casting pond. The girls had a lot of fun, and that makes the show worth the price of admission. You have to watch that guy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattletrap2 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 I'm old, dad started taking us to the Sportsman Show back in the late 50's early 60's when it was in downtown Cleveland. A lot of changes as the years went by, in those days catching walleye in Lake Erie became a real tough deal, it seemed like everyone that was interested in catching them was heading to Ontario. They don't have to do that now, and of course costs figure into it? As I recall a lakefront Ontario cabin cost mom and dad like 60 - 80 bucks back then, and it didn't need to be too fancy. One of the guys we fished tournaments with owned a tackle shop in Strongsville, it became too pricey for him to set up at the Sportsman Show, so he started holding his own deal at his store at the same time. I always heard stories about the great Sportsman Show in Cleveland. I never made it, but always wanted to go. I did get to one in Buffalo, NY a long time ago that was excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattletrap2 Posted March 23, 2017 Report Share Posted March 23, 2017 We went to the show last Saturday. It definitely is a shadow of what it once was, but a huge improvement over the Spring Show a few weeks earlier. Next year, I will do this one again. We had a good time and spent some money. A Buddy spent lots! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted March 24, 2017 Report Share Posted March 24, 2017 I always heard stories about the great Sportsman Show in Cleveland. I never made it, but always wanted to go. I did get to one in Buffalo, NY a long time ago that was excellent! Rattle, it did used to be great, and Ontario was well represented! We stopped going a few years before I got sick, just seemed better for us to load up 4-6 guys in the van and take a Michigan tour, Jann's Netcraft in Toledo Ohio, BPS in Auburn Hills, and Cabela's in Dundee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattletrap2 Posted March 26, 2017 Report Share Posted March 26, 2017 Rattle, it did used to be great, and Ontario was well represented! We stopped going a few years before I got sick, just seemed better for us to load up 4-6 guys in the van and take a Michigan tour, Jann's Netcraft in Toledo Ohio, BPS in Auburn Hills, and Cabela's in Dundee. Sir, I have pretty much made that tour myself! Missed out on Jann's, but added in Northwoods Outfitters! Michigan has some great stores for fishermen! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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