"jvkop2" said:
Does anyone know if these will be available at the Michigan Muskie Show?

Joel

I don't think Drifter was invited.

Yes, there will be some at the Banquet. We didn't have time to get blanks, so they will only be there in standard colors.

I think R&H had them in Chicago, so hopefully they'll have them at the Michigan show. But I'd agree the banquet is a better place to spend money on them.

"Chasin50" said:
I heard R&H isn't actually going to be there? Doesn't look like any retailer, just baitmakers and such. Kinda bums me out; was hoping to pick up a few more things that i didn't get in Chi-town…

R&H's are listed on the exhibitor's page at the website…??

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"hemichemi" said:
[quote="Chasin50"]I heard R&H isn't actually going to be there? Doesn't look like any retailer, just baitmakers and such. Kinda bums me out; was hoping to pick up a few more things that i didn't get in Chi-town…

R&H's are listed on the exhibitor's page at the website…??

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This isn't a normal muskie show. This is a manufaturer show and R&H isn't a manufacturer they are a retailer. You won't have guides, resorts, etc. unless they are speaking at the show and/or they are also a manufacturer.

"hemichemi" said:
Is that the way it will always be? Evidently I'm not the only one who wishes some retailers will be included someday.

Cabela's is right down the road… why put a retailer in the show if you can get the stuff they'll bring just up the road?

I'm interested to know the reasons why the retailers would be better than having the manufacturer there?

Just to be clear on this, R&H was originally going to be there with multiple booths (similar to Chicago) but only stocked with items from manufacturers that were NOT at the show. Then later decided they didn't want to follow this plan and cut their booth space to one booth and only catalog distribution.

"hemichemi" said:
Hmmm… Wondering how far the Hoffman Estates Cablea's is from the Chicago show, not to mention the Gurnee Bass Pro…? Besides, Cablea's in Dundee doesn't have all that much muskie stuff, especially rods, reels and non-bait things. Can't get a DDD there, nor any heavy fluorocarbon leader material, nor an Okuma rod or reel… etc. etc. etc.

Just wish there were going to be some retailers here, never being able to go to Chicago because of the timing. Thorne Bros. and R&H, especially.

It isn't the distance to the location it's "what they carry". This show is for those people that you wouldn't normally see at BPS, Cabela's, walmart, etc.

I'm sure the promoter would love to hear your comments after seeing the show. It is a different approach for sure, I'm not sure if it is good or bad.

"Chasin50" said:
[quote="Will Schultz"][quote="hemichemi"]R&H's are listed on the exhibitor's page at the website…??

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This isn't a normal muskie show. This is a manufaturer show and R&H isn't a manufacturer they are a retailer. You won't have guides, resorts, etc. unless they are speaking at the show and/or they are also a manufacturer.

I support the independants and the baitmakers for sure, and the more the better, but R&H or Thorne is where you get "the rest of the stuff". i.e. hooks dvds, production baits, etc. Cabelas doesn't carry 2% of what R&H or Thorne carries in the musky bait dept. as you know. I am not saying there should be a bunch a retailers, but one good one would be nice.

My guess is this will be the #1 complaint from the show. Again, I'm not saying it is right or wrong I'm just passing along the WHY.

Big DDD vs. Regular DDD
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THE THING IS A BEAST!

Its a conflict of interest when a manufacturer and a retailer are at the same show. For instance when we did Chicago and had Guides choice selling Little Claws and Rippin Shads. W e didn't carry those items so as to not cut into his business. Many of these manufacturers like my self have several retailers who if were attending would not like it that we were there. Rollie and Helens has done that to several manufacturers. I saw it in Pittsburg.
For us its not so bad as we have 13 different lures and no one carries them all. So we just work it out in advance and make sure we don't step on toes.

That is why DrifTer rarely brings any lures at all . They just advertise. Same thing with Grandma lures. Todd at Phantom get s away with it. I dont know how he does it. Maybe he charges more at his booth. Mike