Go Fishing 2007 at the NEC

The Go Fishing Show 2007 at the NEC

Go Fishing 2007

The show was smaller this year, two of the main regulars, Diawa and Shimano, were notable by their absence, and there was no Preston Innovations/Korum, Shakespeare, Fox and several other major players. What kept them away? The cost, the return? I don't know, but you can't ignore it.

I went on the Friday so I can't speak for the weekend (although I'm told it was even quieter on the Saturday and Sunday), but the show appears to be dwindling each year, at least as far as the crowds are concerned. At one time it was shoulder to shoulder and a queue at every stand. You had to wait an age to get a drink at the bar but it was no problem this year. Last year you couldn't get near Matt Hayes through the throng of youngsters waiting to get his autograph; this year he looked ready to shout a few in. I had a decent chat with Bob Nudd this time but I couldn't manage it last year.

Bob Nudd and a young fan

A few of the stands were very busy compared to others, and the celebs offered the usual fare in the theatre. The retail area was, as usual, the busiest area, with anglers browsing the stalls looking for bargains. Like the show in general though, it was great if you found what you wanted but not if you didn't when you reckon the total cost of entrance, with car park fee, could have been £22.00.

Pole Alley

No matter, it's what we, the punters, get from the show that matters, and there is no finite answer to that one for it depends on your expectations and what you're looking for, at an event like that. The youngster who had his picture taken with Bob Nudd will have had a day to remember for the rest of his life, as will his dad who took his own picture of them. Shows, I guess, are more for anglers like that rather than us older guys who've seen it all before and done most of it, so let's be fair. And although the show didn't do a lot for me it may have done a lot for you.

I was interested in poles and spent quite some time along pole alley, trying out different poles for weight and rigidity. There are few other places where you can find such an array of assembled poles, in all price brackets from less than £100 to over £3000, to compare. The young lady who wound herself round a different kind of pole on the Maver stand attracted a lot of attention too, for very different reasons.

Pole dancer on pole alley

So while I couldn't find much enthusiasm for some of the exhibits and demos, I could for others, and that's the answer really: there was something for everyone. But the question remains: was there enough for everyone for the costs involved?

So, the Go Fishing Show gets smaller, and for the first time in years there will be no Chatsworth show from this year. Other, smaller shows in the UK, haven't done as well, and the bigger shows in Europe (so I'm told) have not been anywhere near as popular as they have been.

What's the answer? Have I got it wrong and it was a better show than I thought? Do we need a different kind of show altogether? Or have most of us had enough of them? Or is it more simple than that; there being fewer anglers to attend them?