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Up North With Gary Talarico – February 2010

Gary Fish Finder

I want an avatar, that mythical carbon copy of myself. It would be great. Just think how cool that would be. “Honey, what chores on my list will you be working on today?” would be answered with what females love to hear “what ever you want!”. While Gary Avatar slaves away cutting the grass, cleaning the basement or painting the sewing room, Gary Fish Finder could be out drowning some worms or makin’ noise with one of my guns. Gary Avatar could sit in when forced to share a meal with that guy, gal or couple that makes your jaw hurt from grinding the ‘ol molars. Gary Fish Finder could accomplish many things fun and then have Gary Avatar do the dirty work, like gutting the deer and huffing it out of the swamp. Having your own avatar would be a hoot.

February. What to do? Fishing is hit or miss this time of year. Go deep is my advice. That’s where the fish are. Coyote hunting can be a real challenge. Want to see more deer or flush more grouse? Go shoot a coyote. They are probably the hardest Midwest animal to bag. Wile E Coyote didn’t get that name from being slow on the uptake. What else?  Show season!  A “must attend” this weekend is Outdoorama in Novi. Stop by Booth 5651 and say “hi” if you get a chance.

See you on the water, out in the woods or at the show!

Gary

Gary Talarico is an Editor at Fish and Game Finder Magazine. His monthly column, “Up North”, can be enjoyed by picking up a copy of this great magazine at any store that offers fishing, hunting or outdoor products, or by downloading it from their website.

A Weekend Of Smiles At America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show

No matter where you looked this weekend you saw something consistent throughout the show. Regardless of age or gender, or what outdoor activity brought you to the show, or whether you were an exhibitor or attendee, you eventually ended up wearing one, if not many, of these. It didn’t matter the time of day, what you had on, what side of the table you were occupying or whether you were giving or appreciating a seminar. What was it that everyone had in common? Big, healthy, happy SMILES!

As we approached the Douglas E. Stephens Convention Center on Saturday, it was clear we were going to be busy – a sizable crowd had assembled and were standing in line waiting for the doors to open. There were a number of families in the crowd, and before the day was done, a number of little fishermen went home with one of 300 cane poles that were being given away. How many of us started fishing with a cane pole, a bobber, a hook and a bunch of worms? Ah the good ol’ days….

The layout of the show proved excellent for handling the crowds. The aisles were spacious, and the layout reduced, if not eliminated, bottlenecks. The organizational scheme was helpful. As this show grows and loses some of its superfluous vendors, the unique layout will become even more useful. By next year the remnants of the previous management’s flea market atmosphere should be gone. This will make way for even more high quality outdoor exhibitors and vendors.

Gary Talarico & Babe Winkelman

The seminars were very well attended throughout the weekend. Babe Winkelman and Mike Iaconelli shared a wealth of knowledge and experience in their seminars. Ike even conducted a “closed door session” with the high school fishing teams on Sunday. Jason Reynolds of Fish-N-Fetch kept large crowds entertained as he educated them in the Hawg Tank area. Jason has a unique exhibit, a 4,000 gallon mobile aquarium stocked with fish, where he teaches fishing techniques and expert dog handling.

Jason Reynolds of Fetch-N-Fish

The archery ranges and exhibitors were very active throughout the weekend, as was the trout pond and the numerous children’s activities. Opportunities to interact with wildlife and stewards of our great outdoors were everywhere. Among the things offered – you could see an owl or a hawk up close, handle a huge albino boa constrictor, or talk with numerous officials and experts. You could learn to tie flies, as well as how to cast them. The airsoft range was a big hit and was always busy. There was no way you could be bored at this show….unless you visited the boar exhibit. 🙂

We found ourselves uncontrollably drawn to the Grandt Industries booth, where vast numbers of their amazing, custom, American-made fishing rods were on display. The owner, Jim Grandt, and his crew of experts, were on hand to answer questions about their amazing fishing rods. This was also where fishing pro Rick LaPoint was hanging out when he wasn’t helping folks learn about the latest electronics.

There were a number of resorts and outfitters on hand, providing great info and helping folks plan memorable hunting, fishing and outdoor vacations. Whether you wanted to hunt & fish in Canada or right here at home, some of the finest guides and camps on both sides of the border were at the show. Maybe you enjoy big game hunting, or always wanted to go on a safari, people like Jim Gangler of Gangler’s Lodge & Outposts were answering questions and helping people plan their trips.

Two Bears Trading Company

Personal highlights of the show….

• Aimee found the beaver mittens she’d been searching years for at Two Bears Trading Company.
• Mike at BaxMax introduced me to their wonderful products, making enjoyment of the show with a herniated disk possible.
• Gary Talarico, president of LureSecure, provided the entire Moline High School Bass Fishing Team with LureSecure Lure Wraps, thus solving the problem of fishing hooks in the hallways.
• Watching Jim Sugarman, the man in charge of the show, taking time with vendors, exhibitors and show patrons, personally making sure everyone was having a good time.
• Being present at the trout pond when a very young man caught a fish on his cane pole.

LureSecure Lure Wraps - The Pro's Choice

And that’s really what this show was all about – spending time with family and friends, having a few laughs, and sharing the products, services, information, knowledge and expertise necessary to help create a lifetime of memories in the great outdoors.

If you missed this year’s show, don’t worry! Next year’s show is January 26-30 at the same location. If you’re an Exhibitor and you’d like to be part of the action, you might want to contact Jim Sugarman sooner than later, because next year’s show is going to be bigger and better than this year.

LIVE From The 31st Annual America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show

Aimee Argyle | Gary Talarico | Mrs. Mongo | Mike Argyle

Antique Boats & Motors

 This post comes to you from the floor of America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL.  Team LureSecure is here in full force – Gary Talarico/Chief Fishfinder, MongoMad & his wife, Mike Argyle of ClearStream Concepts and Aimee Argyle of Northern Shores Realty, made the trip from northern Michigan and are manning the LureSecure booth.  Both Gary & Mike are not 100% (Gary’s dealing with pneumonia and Mike started this year with a herniated disk), but there was no way they were going to miss this show.  We also brought along a few of our friends to share the extensive booth space supplied to us by the show,  Also represented in the AnglerQuest booth are Jeff Wever of Dry Hands Minnow Buckets, Bay de Noc Lures, the Curtis Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and the Manistique Lakes Tourism Board. 

Wildlife Taxidermy Exhibit

If you’re a fisherman, hunter or just a person that loves the great outdoors, and you’re in the Chicagoland area, you owe it to yourself to attend this show.  Although in the last few years, when the show was under different management, it may have strayed from the path of being truly an outdoors show, the new owner, Jim Sugarman, has transformed it into one of this country’s finest fishing, hunting and outdoor shows.  It truly is “new” in many respects, with displays and activities you have to see to believe.  We discuss a few in this post, but there’s no way to do them all justice, so it’s worth a click to go check out the website for America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show. 

Bikini Ice Fishing Team Fashion Show

It’s Ladies Day today, and as this is being typed, the Bikini Ice Fishing Team is putting on a fashion show (and they’re each wearing Fish Fashion earrings).  Nearby is the always exciting Dangerous Reptile show and exhibit.  Earlier in the day there was a deer processing and venison preparation seminar, where the audience got to sample some fine fare that was prepared with the venison.

Deer Processing & Venison Preparation Seminar

Fetch-N-Fish

There are hunting dog demonstrations, fly and bait casting opportunities & competitions, archery demonstrations and competitions, a tent building contest, tons of activities for the kids, and it’s High School Fishing Team Day on Sunday.  If that wasn’t enough, the cool folks from Fetch-N-Fish brought in one of their 4,000 gallon mobile aquariums (complete with fish…BIG fish), which they use to put on a unique and humorous hunting dog show and a number of fishing technique demonstrations.  The Eddie Butts Band is entertaining attendees as they stroll the spacious aisles of the well-designed show space, checking out what dozens upon dozens of vendors have to offer, with ice cold beers and tasty eats in hand. 

Future Pro Having A Great Time!

The show’s advertising states “the fun is back”, and that’s truly the case.  Jim Sugarman and the show’s advisory board have put together one hell of a show, providing an entertaining and educational experience for all ages and interests.  You can hardly walk down the aisle without bumping into the likes of Babe Winkelman, Ted Takasaki, Dan Armitage, Lee Bailey Jr, Mike Iaconelli, Rick LaPoint, Dan Keating, Aaron McAlexander, Jack Penny, Darrell Baker, Spence Petros, and Jim Saric, just to name a few of the pro’s that are in attendance.  There are seminars galore and plenty of extremely helpful information is being shared. 

The “New” America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show is truly a top-notch show.  We’d like to thank Jim Grandt of Grandt Industries (makers of the finest custom fishing rods you’ll ever get your hands on), for making it possible for us to attend.  Business has been brisk at the LureSecure booth, and good for many of the other vendors.  Attendance continues to increase exponentially as we approach the weekend.  The show’s staff (including Jim Sugarman’s lovely wife ILona) is doing a tremendous job of keeping the show running smoothly, and making sure there are plenty of smiles on the faces of vendors and attendees alike. 

 

World Records Are On Display

So if you’re in Chicagoland, and you’re into hunting, fishing or anything that involves enjoying the great outdoors, and you’re wondering what you’re going to do this weekend, then look no further.  You need to stop in at America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show.  It’s well worth the small price of admission.

Aimee Argyle | Gary Talarico | Mrs. Mongo

Jeff Wever | Dry Hands Minnow Bucket

Deer Processing & Venison Preparation Seminar

Bikini Ice Fishing Team Fashion Show

Fetch-N-Fish

Future Pro – Having A Great Time!

World Records Are On Display

Dangerous Reptiles

Antique Boats & Motors

Team LureSecure & Jeff Wever

Two Bears Trading Company

Fishing Boats Galore

Lure Demos

Bikini Ice Fishing Team | Fashion Show

PRESS RELEASE: Anglerquest Invited To Attend One Of The Nation’s Largest Outdoor Shows

Chicago, IL – January 27, 2010: AnglerQuest LLC will be showcasing their innovative product, the LureSecure, at the 31^st Annual America’s Outdoor Fishing & Hunting Show.  AnglerQuest teamed up with Rebuild Resources to produce the LureSecure, a unique item with countless benefits for the angler.  LureSecures eliminate the possibility of painful hook wounds in fingers, children or pets, and assist in keeping rods and equipment tangle-free.  LureSecures also eliminate the aggravating chore of freeing fish hooks from vehicle and boat seats and carpeting and anglers’ clothing. 

AnglerQuest is a Michigan company formed for anglers by anglers dedicated to making the fishing experience safer and more enjoyable.

Social responsibility is an important tenant of AnglerQuest and one of the paramount reasons they chose Rebuild Resources to manufacture the LureSecure. Rebuild Resources is a non-profit social enterprise helping men and women recover from drug and alcohol addictions, and rebuild their lives through the most powerful social program of all: a job.

Rebuild Resources owns and operates businesses in St. Paul, Minnesota, which provide meaningful, transitional employment for men and women who want to become sober, self-sufficient and of service.  Student-employees stay long enough to stabilize, build a job history and work reference, gain tangible skills, and build their capacity to be valuable to an employer. Then Rebuild Resources helps them land a permanent job elsewhere, making room for the next candidate.

Rebuild Resources businesses, which provide most of the organization’s revenue, include Custom Apparel and Promotions, and Contract Manufacturing enterprises.  Rebuild Resource’s Contract Manufacturing enterprises employs program participants in a wide variety of assembly, woodworking and sewing projects, contracted by partner businesses such as AnglerQuest.  For more information, please visit http://www.rebuildresources.com.

Gary Talarico, President of AnglerQuest, LLC had this to say about the partnership:

“AnglerQuest has chosen to work hand in hand with Rebuild Resources for multiple reasons. At the initial contact, Kevin Byker (Rebuild Resources’s Contract Manufacturing Division Leader) was enthusiastic and very helpful. He seemed to truly want our business. As a new start-up company, we wanted our vendor partner’s values to share our socially conscious agenda. After the sample LureSecures were returned for our inspection, the quality of workmanship was excellent and pricing was competitive. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship with this exceptional group of people.”

AnglerQuest is proud to be a part of the 31^st Annual America’s Outdoor Fishing and Hunting Show, January 27-31, 2010 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information about LureSecures, and how they protect anglers, their family, friends and pets from painful hook wounds and other unwelcome aggravations, please visit our website at http://www.luresecure.net.

LureSecure At The Ultimate Fishing Show, January 7-10, 2010

Gary Talarico/Ultimate Fishing Show

Team LureSecure attended The Ultimate Fishing Show at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, MI and found themselves among some of the nation’s best outfitters, charter boat captains, boat dealers and purveyors of fine fishing goods.  MongoMad and ChiefFishfinder manned the booth for Team LureSecure at this show, one which has been hailed as the biggest pure fishing show in the Midwest.  Despite the fact the show was held in the economically troubled Detroit area, it turned out to be a very good show for LureSecure, and the other vendors in attendance.

This show had many unique features and great attractions, including “Lake Ultimate”, a 110,000 gallon indoor lake, with its own fleet of fishing boats.  There were numerous seminars, some which were conducted on the lake by the likes of Kevin VanDam and Lance Valentine.  To help make it the ultimate fishing show, there was a trout pond stocked with rainbows, a fly fishing area where you could work on your cast, a virtual fishing simulator, a casting competition for all ages, a climbing wall and a display of exotic animals.

Highly Endangered – Male Siberian Lynx

The Ultimate Fishing Show always attracts some of the industry’s best vendors and exhibitors, and this year was no exception.  There were boats as far as the eye could see, and more fishing tackle than you could possibly imagine.  For those visiting the show, it was like being a kid in a candy store.

 We were very pleased with the attendance at this show, and our sales were very good.  Compared to the last show, where ice fishing was the name of the game, at this show the focus was getting back out on the water.  A number of walleye fisherman stopped by to purchase LureSecures, as did some of the best charter boat captains in the business.

We heard some great hook wound stories, as well as a few tales about hooks damaging apparel and boat upholstery.  Like many of our customers, many fisherman are realizing LureSecures are a great way to avoid a nasty, painful accident or a costly repair bill.  LureSecures are easy to use and dramatically reduce the chance of hooking something other than fish.

Gary took some time from the hectic sales at our booth to walk around and visit.  While doing so he ran into our friend Jeff Wever of Dry Hands Minnow Buckets.  Like us, Jeff was having an excellent show and sold a number of his amazing minnow buckets.  Gary chatted with a few of the pro’s in attendance, including Lance Valentine and Mark Martin, both of whom took home a number of LureSecures.

We made some new acquaintances at the show too, including Captain Ralph Steiger, a Full-time Professional Lake Michigan Charter Fishing Guide.  Captain Ralph is well known in the southern basin of Lake Michigan, where he provides outstanding guide services.  Whether it’s Smallmouth Bass, Perch, King or Coho Salmon, Brown, Lake or Steelhead Trout, Captain Ralph is the guy to contact if you want to fish in the Chicago, IL – Hammond, IN area.  He is booking for March, April and May, and filling up fast, so don’t hesitate to give him a call.

A very cool thing happened while we were at this show.  Team LureSecure and Jeff Wever of Dry Hands Minnow Buckets were invited to be a part of one of the finest fishing, hunting, camping and outdoor shows in the U.S. – America’s Outdoor Show in Chicago, IL.  Which is one reason this post was delayed, we have tons to do to get ready for that show, which is next week.  Hope to see you there!