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Fishing expo returns to Interstate Center
By Scott Richardson
srichardson@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- Larry Andris didn't start out to be a promoter of outdoor shows. He was a lineman for the phone company, GTE, and rose to be the company's special services operator until he retired.

Next, he took over the family restaurant business when his dad died in 1990. He eventually had a 14-store hamburger empire in the Midwest, including some outlets in Illinois.

It was time to go fishing after that -- or so he thought. He'd competed at the local and regional level in bass tournaments. About all he wanted was to wet a fishing line.

But then, fishing buddy Doug Gerig, a Twin City Realtor, suggested they use their business know-how and Andris' savvy of the outdoors to fill a gap in Bloomington-Normal's fishing and hunting scene. After several attempts, no one had been able to establish a longstanding regional outdoor show in the Twin Cities despite the area's intense interest in fishing and hunting. Gerig thought he and Andris should give it a try.

That was 2003, and the Midstate Fish & Feather Expo was born. Though Gerig has moved on to other pursuits, Andris and his wife, Faye, are continuing on after renaming the show the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo.

Featuring headliners like premiere fishing and hunting television personality Babe Winkelman, the expo will be at Bloomington's Interstate Center from Friday through Jan. 27. Andris expects 5,000 plus people to attend.

"It's doubled in attendance (since the start) and it has another 35 percent in exhibitors," Andris said of the 2008 lineup. "We have nine boat exhibitors this year. We have tackle and guides from all over the country and Canada. The growth is because of the exhibitors, the way they handle themselves, the boat dealers, the way they handle themselves. It's been a good mix of hunting and fishing. I attribute the success to their expertise."

Fishing educator Terry Brown, founder of the new Wired2fish.com e-commerce and educational Web site based in Bloomington, has a long history of attending outdoor shows. Bloomington is one of the best for its size, he said.

"I think this is the best one we've had here (in the Twin Cities.) Other people have tried to have them, but Larry works his tail off to make sure we have a good show. I think he really really is trying to bring something good to downstate. ... If you are going to come out and browse, it will be a good day out," he said.

In addition to hosting Winkelman, seminar speakers will include top Central Illinois fishing guide Steve Welch, a popular fishing educator and speaker on crappie, white bass and muskies. The lineup also includes: fishing educator and television personality Jim Crowley from Midwest Outdoors and Fishing Facts; top muskie guide Dave Ludington; Central Illinois smallmouth expert Jonn Graham; Brown; and Paul Center, a top multi-species guide and rod maker from Normal.

Also this year, multi-species fishing expert Ken Freeman will host seminars and question-and-answer sessions and play host at his "Tank," a huge portable 5,000-gallon aquarium featuring freshwater fish of all kinds. Freeman and Andris teamed up last June for the highly-successful, first annual Havana Catfish & Waterfowl Festival.

Angling topics also are stressed at the Bloomington event.

"Fishing is the foundation of the show, probably 65 percent of the show," said Andris, 68. "We have some of the best bass fishing personnel in the Midwest right here in this town."

Andris noted the saugeye state record came from Evergreen Lake just north of the Twin Cities and the fact that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources electro-shocked a state record muskie there not long ago. Central Illinois also enjoys terrific catfish, crappie, bluegill, striper and sauger fishing, he said.

The Illinois Fish & Feather Expo also includes exhibitors who focus on small-game and bird hunting. Andris leaves the deer hunting to the huge Illinois Deer & Turkey Classic that draws 20,000 to the Interstate Center every February. But, for a price, people who attend the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo can have their pictures taken with live deer.

Andris thinks the timing could be right for the Bloomington show to become one of the top outdoor events in the state.

"Illinois is primed for a really good show," he said. "Some of the shows have disbanded. Decatur, Springfield, one in LaSalle disbanded. I think the facility we have is one of the best in Central Illinois. I think that's another reason for its growth. Three interstates coming in. ...

"Fishing and hunting may be in trouble elsewhere," Andris continued, citing recent U.S. Fish & Wildlife surveys showing a downturn in the sports nationwide. "But the audience is here. We have Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, duck callers, goose callers. Right here in Bloomington-Normal is the center of one of the best pheasant areas in the state. It's becoming a popular quail area. What more can I ask for?"



If you go



What: Illinois Fish & Feather Expo

Where: Interstate Center, Bloomington

What to expect: Fishing seminars, boat dealers, tackle manufacturers, resort representation and guides from across the U.S.

Headliner: Television fishing and hunting personality Babe Winkelman

Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 27

Admission: Adult, $7; children ages 6-12, $3; children 5 and under, free

Parking: Free

More information: www.illinoisfishandfeather.com

Take a look
Weston and Shannon Harmon of Bloomington watch fish in Freeman's Outdoor Promotions' mobile fish tank at the Midstate Fish & Feather Outdoor Expo. The show has been renamed the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo. (Pantagraph file photo/LORI ANN COOK)
Larry Robinson of Washington, left, and Bob Delaney of East Peoria, right, look at crappie fishing poles sold by Steve and Tina Welch of Crappie Specialties of Monticello during the 2007 Midstate Fish & Feather Expo at Bloomington's Interstate Center. The show has been renamed the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo. (Pantagraph file photo/DAVID PROEBER)
Sam Donhardt, 12, of Normal, casts his line during the fishing competition at the 2006 Midstate Fish & Feather Expo. The show has been renamed the Illinois Fish & Feather Expo. (Pantagraph file photo/LORI ANN COOK)
Paul Center gives a demonstration to a group of people as he stands in front of the bass tub at the 2005 Midstate Fish & Feather Expo. Center will speak again at the 2008 event. (Pantagraph file photo)
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