The Fly Fishing Show, Marlborough MA: NFC Sets a Record
NFC just attended the 2023 The Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, Massachusetts. In the 5 years since the inception of NFC, this was our best show to date in regard to schwag, donations and memberships. In fact, it was more than 15% better than our best show to date. And this doesn’t include the residual support that is still coming in four days after the event.
While traffic numbers were not what they were pre-COVID, the show was well attended and those who were there were supportive of NFC and our mission and very generous. There were NFC hats everywhere you looked, and everyone seemed to know who we were. The positive reception and generous support showed that we are on the right path.
As always, hats were the hottest item. Books were strong as well, with Executive Director Bob Mallard’s new Fly Fishing Maine: Local Experts on the States Best Waters strongest. Decals and bumper stickers were also popular, with brook trout theme items leading. The most popular t-shirt was our “NATIVE FISH HUGGER,” and we will be ordering more to meet the demand.
NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard did four presentations in three days, and spent time in the authors booth signing books each day. While not the most attended, his New England’s Rare Blueback and Sunapee Trout presentation had the most engaged audience which spilled over to the NFC booth afterwards.
Special thanks to MA Chair Bob Dalton, MA Vice Chair Kyle White, and National Chair Emily Bastian for helping with logistics and spending time in the booth; and MA secretary spencer belson and ma board members christopher fisk, max heidelburger, ian hughes, and alex shukis, nh chair nick martin, and vt baord member david wein for helping out at the show.
