A Month of Fishing Shows
You may not be able to wet a line in February, but you can immerse yourself in Maryland fishing shows.
Flyfishers won’t want to miss the 19th annual Lefty Kreh Tie Fest, put on by longtime conservation and fishing enthusiast Tony Friedrich. He has been gathering the who’s who among East Coast fly-fishing and fly-tying to share their knowledge, skills and love of the long-rod sport.
The streamers, bugs and poppers used for fly-fishing have virtually no mass — they are cast out by the weight of the fly line itself. These tiny lures are an artform of their own. Made of fur, feathers, sparkling synthetics and more, they are realistic and mesmerizing.
You can choose from more than a dozen seminars over the two-day expo and meet local guides and fly shops providing recommendations and advice on where and how to practice the increasingly popular sport. You’ll learn more about saltwater marshes of the Eastern Shore as well as Tangier Sound, the Susquehanna Flats and most areas of the main Bay and its tributaries as well as some of the hotspots along the Mid-Atlantic coast. Feb. 23 and 24: BWI Marriott Hotel, 1743 West Nursery Rd. Linthicum: www.tiefest.com.
The Pasadena Sport Fishing Show and Flea Market is a time-honored tradition and a welcome sign that spring is not far off.
Featuring great food and drinks cooked on-site in generous exposition grounds, the show includes one of the best collections of custom-made Bay-oriented lures, fishing tackle and Bay boats in one location. With guides and outfitters gathered from around the area, the amount of knowledge available on fishing the Chesapeake is vast. The show is widely attended; get there early for the best deals. Feb. 16 and 17: 161 Ritchie Hwy., Severna Park: www.pasadenasportfishing.com.
The annual Saltwater Fishing Expo is a comprehensive endeavor covering fishing on the Chesapeake. In seminars, Capt. Charlie Sisson talks on live-lining for stripers; Shawn Kimbro handles light-tackle fishing; and Capt Brian Mayer gets you ready for trolling for trophy rock. Feb. 23: Elks Lodge, 2517 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater.