Cousin Ron Tanquary taught me to catch the minnows needed to bring home nice messes of trout from the Naches River. We were eight years old and had walked the mile from his folks’ place to fish the river after WWII. In this current – and very different – day and age, we BS about today’s kids and having had the best of Washington’s fishing and hunting through our growing up years.
Ron and I still get out and we have a standing engagement at one or another of the regional sportsmen shows. He refers to these shows as “Fantasy Island” or “The Land of Yes!” The latter title popped up about two hours into the SunDome show some years ago. “Listen to us,” he said. We just said ‘Yes,’ ‘Yes,’ ‘Yes!’ at every booth we passed. Some girl or guy says, ‘You want to fish salmon in Canada?’ We say, ‘Yes…’ Or, ‘Wanna come hunt New Zealand?’ We say, ‘Yes…’ ‘Wanna win this brand new Ruger Model 77 or Remington or Winchester?’ and we say ‘Yes! Yes!’ Cousin, we are afield in The Land of Yes!”
Couple days ago, we chatted about the Washington Sportsmen’s Show in Puyallup, the Central Washington Show in Yakima, and the Pacific Northwest Show in Portland, over the next few weeks. Then, I allowed as how I had to go this week to Denver to work with Daughter Nicole on our new dog business – but would have to spend some time at Denver’s International Sportsmen’s Exposition. “So,” he laughed, “you have found a whole chain of ‘Yes’ Islands, and you are going island hopping…” I smiled. “Well, it is that time of year – what’s a guy to do?”
Let us consider the possibilities of the next few weeks. Truth is, the two local Central Washington islands most of us will hit will have plenty of chances to say “Yes!” to almost every outdoor fantasy you ever entertained. AND, our local shows will be focused on getting our youngsters and our families outdoors, too, with many new activities and features to help the kids and parents see themselves on the ground and in Nature.
First up is that island at the Puyallup Fairgrounds – the Washington Sportsmen’s Show – starting Wednesday the 25th and running through that Sunday afternoon. There are a number of things to anticipate finding on that Puyallup Yes Island.
Brutus – the 900-pound grizzly – will be on hand from the Montana Grizzly Encounter display to get folks thinking about bears, bear education, and the flavor they bring to the wild. Jim Burnworth (extreme archer and host of the TV show Western Extreme) will be talking big game around the world and sharing key insights into your future archery hunting.
Of course, Brett Stoffel will be visiting with kids and families –formally and informally – about survival basics and staying unlost (or getting unlost if it happens). Brett will also deal with a broad range of myths and misconceptions about survival in the outback.
There will be more than 150 hours of seminars for all ages, covering just about every outdoor leaning. The seminars cover everything from kids’ trout fishing, fly-tying, and successful salmon fishing to hunting for most every critter we hunt in Washington.
The “Tour of Northwest Big Game Animals” includes several local records and some breathtaking mounts. There will also be a head and horn competition, with current entries.
The Camp Cooking Demo Tent will be up again, with something for each of us to add to our cooking habits. Kids will have an archery range, free Yakima Bait lures, and the Kids’ Free Trout Pond (keep or release two fish each).
There’s much more, too, so check it all out at www.thesportshows.com/shows/washington/ and make the drive.
The Yes Island at the SunDome in Yakima (the Central Washington Sportsmen Show) is next, happening in five weeks between Feb. 17 and 19. Plenty of new stuff coming here, too, along with those favorites that keep us coming back. (See www.shuylerproductions.com.)
At the SunDome, start with “A Walk on the Wild Side,” an up-close look at a wide variety of animals from small to large and from cute and cuddly to venomous and slithery. Look for the Town Square Media Trout Races (Saturday), the 4-H archery and air rifle ranges, and the Kids’ Lunker Lake Trout Pond. Everybody gets excited over the Central Washington Dog Pull Competition and the amazing strength and enthusiasm of the dogs.
Of course, the daily hunting and fishing seminars and demos will be on (with a variety of very helpful pros), as well as the daily giveaways and gifts for the first people in the door each day.
Look for the annual horn and antler competition (and watch them being properly measured). Certainly you will want to see the photos (and winners) in the free wildlife and nature photo contest. (You have entered yours, yes?) Make this drive, too.
On all these Yes Islands, I shall, for a sawbuck, add much needed firearms and gear (or at least a good chance to win them). …And probably an exotic fishing or hunting trip or two, as I walk the aisles and dream big. Back at home and office, I’ll wait for the phone to ring with instructions for picking up my newly won firearms, boat and fishing gear.
Perhaps then I shall be ready for another year of reality. You gotta love these Yes Islands.
