The annual Sportsmen’s Exposition opens at Cal Expo Fairgrounds in Sacramento from Jan. 20 to 23, under strict COVID restrictions that include showing your verified CDC vaccine card and valid I.D., or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attendance. Of course, you will also need to wear a face mask.
Other than that minor adjustment, anglers, hunters, campers, hikers and others who enjoy the great outdoors can expect a plethora exhibits, displays, presentations, information booths and all matter of outdoor products offered for sale offered by several hundred companies in five buildings and outside spaces.
I especially enjoy the pavilion in which there are many booths manned by the owners and managers of fishing resorts from all over the world. Most offer brochures and show videos of their lodges and the fishing they offer. It is a great way to compile a wish list of places you’d like to visit in the future.
Hunters will find similar opportunities.
Outfitters and guides will also be present. Boats and other watercraft, including kayaks and pontoons, will be shown and offered for sale. In addition, UTVs, ATVs, SUVs, RVs, campers and trucks and accessories will be exhibited.
Some of the special features include California Sportsmen’s Theater with continuous films about fishing and hunting resorts, a bass aquarium demo tank, a Kayak theater, dog arena, fly-fishing theater and casting pond, and a youth fair on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are $16 for adults. Kids under 15 are free with a paid adult. The event is open Thursday and Friday, Jan. 20 and 21, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cal Expo is located at 1600 Exposition Blvd., off the Capital City Freeway in Sacramento.
Recent rains improved sturgeon fishing in the Bay this week. Keith Fraser at Loch Lomond Bait Shop in San Rafael has gotten several positive reports from his customers, including a pair of anglers who caught two big sturgeon, one close to 8 feet long plus six keeper striped bass. Keith says the best bait is live ghost and grass shrimp (he has both). Anglers are also catching fish off of McNear Park pier on the Marin Shoreline.
Over at Bodega Bay Sportsfishing, Capt. Rick Powers has completed a very successful fall season of rock and ling cod fishing, as well as outstanding Dungeness crab fishing. He also said that his fall 2021 salmon season was the best he’s seen in 40 years. He will continue crab-only trips for a little while before bringing his boats in for their annual servicing. Rock and ling cod season will begin in April and he hopes that the Department of Fish and Wildlife will open salmon season then, too.
“There are huge numbers of anchovies still in Bodega this month. That much bait in the water now, indicates we could have excellent fishing this spring,” Rick said. For more information, call him at 707-875-3344.
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