Michelle and I saw the replica and got a signed picture. Dale is real nice guy. He told me he thought the fish was around 68 pounds. The replica was right on in regards to size versus the picture. I was very impressed.
All in all we had the best show experience ever. We have 6 new stores in the United states and Canada and sold all of our stock. Came home with a fat checkbook and a lot of work to do. The 15 inch Dragon Claw turns out to be a very good bait for the St. Lawrence in the late season and Dale , Sal and Duck boat Dave were all over them buying half of the ones we brought and ordering many more. I slept until 3 pm today, man was I tired. Time to rest tonight and hit it tomorrow.
We found some real nice custom painted Cranes and some new S.S.Shads little ones. Got several new Shumway flashers and some more glides. The lure swap went well , I got another old heavy Weagle to refinish. Had a blast. Mike and Michelle
Awesome that you cleared out the inventory, Mike. Looked like you were busy all day Saturday. Sure has to feel great!
Great time as usual…though the roads could have been better. Must have seen 50, maybe 60 cars in the ditch on the way down Saturday. Proof these fish make you crazy…I typically avoid travel under such conditions.
Pizza was fantastic, show was decent (what we saw of the pool demo was a little lame this year, and not as many gotta have new lures as expected), and swap was the highlight, again.
I knew I should've gone… Sounds, and looks like everyone had a great time. I knew I couldn't go, tho with all the snow. Work calls. But, if I would've gone, I wouldn't have almost died while plowing. Just a story for all of you… Long story short, the guy who put our plow on didn't build it strong enough. The plow snapped off while driving down the road, got lodged under the truck so I could barely steer, and I found myself going sideways over the Thornapple River. My first thought was that I was going to leave my wife and kids as I plunged into the river below. [smilie=fear.gif] Fortunately, I was able to get control and slowly steer the truck to the side of the road.
So for next year, yes! I AM GOING TO CHICAGO!!! Glad all of you made it there and back safely, especially since I saw just as many beer bottles as lures at the swap!
"Pete" said:
Awesome that you cleared out the inventory, Mike. Looked like you were busy all day Saturday. Sure has to feel great!Great time as usual…though the roads could have been better. Must have seen 50, maybe 60 cars in the ditch on the way down Saturday. Proof these fish make you crazy…I typically avoid travel under such conditions.
Pizza was fantastic, show was decent (what we saw of the pool demo was a little lame this year, and not as many gotta have new lures as expected), and swap was the highlight, again.
Yes we had only about 25 % of what we came with left and Pastikas bought all the rest and we didnt have to bring any home. Next year I will be in the poolside demos. I got to demo the new Shad to about 6 guys one who just happened to be Mike Dalakis. Mike Ordered 7 baits and put us in two different stores in the Toronto area. The best part is he will be taking us out on Georgian bay for two days during his prime time. He boated 4 fish over 40 pounds last year. W e are geeeeeked 😀 . Ill be meeting Grahm Bristow as well. I cant wait for open water any where with in 4 hours,Ohio, Indiana or Ill. I need to set the hook. Mike and Michelle
A good time as always! The show itself was fun but nothing compared to the pizza and swap meet. The pizza was great as well as the swap meet. It is becoming so large that a bigger venue will be needed next year.
Yep! Dale was there signing autographs….we had to scratch are heads at that one….but then as Joe said we jumped in on the action before they quickly dragged me out. [smilie=biggrin.gif]
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