“I go to a half dozen outdoor related shows a year throughout Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.  Many are larger (the Chicago Outdoors Show Rosemont), some are more specialized (IL Muskie Shows/ IL Deer Expo), but the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo is the best overall experience.”
— Mark Pasignajen, Morton Grove, Ill.

Greetings to all. Take time to stop by this site when you can as our year rolls into fall and winter. We’re creating new and unique programming for the 2010 Great Waters Fly Fishing Expos in Chicago and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

For starters, we’re moving our Chicagoland expo to the Pheasant Run Resort next year. We’re very excited to find a home at this facility, which is spacious and comfortable — a perfect venue for a fly fishing weekend.

We’ll be announcing new presenters and new educational events for both of our shows, with increased focus on travel opportunities and learning.  Thanks to all of you who attended our shows earlier this year. If you signed up to receive our Expo eNewsletters, we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with our plans.

LEARNING STATIONS: Brush up on your knot tying, learn how to select rods, reels and lines for your fishing, identify the various species of game fish we catch on a fly in the Midwest, ask questions about waders, vests and layering at Learning Stations at both Expos.

FLY CASTING:  Free one-on-one fly-casting instruction with expert casters and teachers organized by the Federation of Fly Fishers. These lessons will be offered from the start to the end at both of our Expos. Male or female, young or old, these lessons will help you improve your skills.

FLY TYING DEMOS: Learn from many of the best fly tiers in the Midwest on Fly Tiers’ Row and at our unique Fly Tying Theater.

FLY TYING FOR KIDS:  Youngsters can learn how to tie flies from experienced fly tying instructors.

SHOP AND GET THE SKINNY on the latest fly fishing rods, reels, fly lines, flies, outdoors wear and watercraft at vendor booths staffed by knowledgeable and helpful industry professionals. Fly tying materials and tools. Wildlife and sporting art and artists.

BOOK A TRIP: Lodges and outfitters from the Midwest, Alaska, Canada, the West and saltwater destinations will help you plan your next great adventure.

STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION: The Great Waters Expos are the first major fly fishing shows anywhere to emphasize the vital connection between the sport of fly fishing and environmental stewardship and conservation. We believe that it is no longer enough simply to be an angler; one must adopt an active conservation ethic to preserve and protect our fly fishing waters. Programs on the Great Lakes, updates on TU’s Driftless Area stream restoration (TUDARE) and an evaluation of smallmouth bass opportunities and habitat in our home waters. Spokespersons for local, national and international conservation and fly fishing clubs — Trout Unlimited, the Smallmouth Alliance and the Federation of Fly Fishers among them — will be on hand.

LIVING RIVER BUG EXHIBIT. Entomologist and award-winning photographer Dean Hansen will be featured in an expanded setting. His live bug show and living stream exhibit are flat-out remarkable.

BEGINNERS. The Great Waters Expo will feature Fly Fishing Classes for Beginners. Newcomers to fly fishing can learn fly fishing basics from veteran anglers. All Expo programming will be beginner-friendly and free. No pre-registration.

WOMEN IN FLY FISHING  The 2010 Great Waters Expos continues its commitment to introducing women to the sport of fly fishing and to recognizing the contributions of the many accomplished female anglers in our sport.

WRITERS WORKSHOP. An opportunity to pick the writing brains of several practicing outdoor novelists, magazine writers and poets.  Organized by Maine writer Kathy Scott.

For information on the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo, call (952) 920-9028 or e-mail to mwfly@mwfly.com. Call Lew Beccone at (612) 922-4969 for matters relating to the travel industry – lodges, outfitters, guides, sports travel, tourism groups, etc. Also, visit www.greatwatersflyfishingexpo.com.

Enjoy this website and come back often for updates. Take time to subscribe to Midwest Fly Fishing magazine on your way through. I’ll see you at the Great Waters Expo — in Chicago and in Minneapolis.

--Tom Helgeson

Editor/Publisher Midwest Fly Fishing magazine
Owner, Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo

Expo hours:

Friday:       2:30 — 7 p.m.
Saturday:  9 a.m. — 6 p.m. 
Sunday:     9 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Admission:
Daily                 $15
Two days         $25
Three days      $37.50
Students          $5 Daily
Seniors (65+)  $10 Daily
Under 12         Free with adults
           
FREE PARKING!

"We have had vendor booths at the Great Waters Expo in Minneapolis for four years and both years in Chicago. We count the Expos as 'can’t miss events’. From education to networking, the Great Waters Expos bring out the best in Midwest fly fishing. Whether you’re interested in cold water fishing or warm water fishing, the Great Waters Expos will have something for you. We use the Expos as a large portion of our annual marketing. We book trips, plan the year and spread the word about the abundant fishing opportunities in the Midwest. This is best venue for our sport that we have ever experienced — not just for the Midwest, but anywhere."

Wendy Williamson and Larry Mann
Hayward (Wis.) Fly Fishing Co.

Wendy and Larry and Muskie