Tough crowd. I am not aware of many if any boat shows, outdoor shows or even home shows and other industry sales shows that have free admission, especially those set up by a per profit company as most expect to make some money for their effort. I am curious why one would expect this show to be any different. It seems to me if that criticism applies, it applies to most or all trade shows and I must say that I have had that same thought (why am I paying for the privilege of these guys selling to me) cross my mind, especially at home shows which are usually nothing more than product advertising booths, unless you think this show is not big enough to offer sufficient value.
My own view is that if this boat and fishing show gets supported it will continue to grow over time which means there will be less incentive to spend the hundreds of dollars and time necessary to go off island to other larger shows down the road, all of which charge substantial admission fees. That is for those still willing to travel off island at all; thank you BC Ferries.
Further it seems some are willing to pay for separate fishing seminars, which is a good thing as these are often done as fund raising events for causes important to anglers. However here is a chance to get some west coast fishing advice from real experts on topics like tips for local salmon and halibut fishing In my view these alone are worth the cost of admission, especially if your relatively new to fishing or are having difficulty joining the 10% of anglers who consistently go out in the summer and catch large Chinook. For those wanting to be better at rolling an anchovy and fishing the big ones perhaps a little time listening to the guys from Rhys Davis who design and make anchovy teaser heads may just be worth it when one considers the cost of trolling around days on end trying to put big Chinook in the boat.
When I think it over, for me this boat show has not been so much about looking at boats and motors, although I enjoy it; it is the chance to ask questions of experts on hot topic issues. For example:
Consider the discussion currently going on in other threads about interpreting the complexities of DFO fishing regulations such as possession limits and the transportation of fish. At this show you get a chance to actually ask DFO enforcement officers how they interpret the regs. which I submit may be worth more than some other opinions.
Then there is the repetitive threads that pop up here for things like what is the max ball weight you can get away with on a Scotty regular and high speed rigger or the braid versus steel debate. Here is a chance to actually ask the guys from Scotty who design and build riggers.
Want to discuss the proper maintenance procedures for an Islander Reel or why some MR3’s may creep a little and others not and what can be done about it with the guys who design and build them?
Want an update from the executive of SVIAC about what they are currently working on or their views or future plans on how best to expand etc? You can also sign up for an SVIAC membership to help ensure you will be able to have the opportunity to fish in the future. By the way with all the discounts and benefits offered to SVIAC members by local businesses my membership pays for it’s self. I consider it free. I especially like taking one of my reels down to Outfitters and having it loaded up with quality line once a year simply by flashing my membership card.
Want to have a family member take the Pleasure Craft Operators Card exam so they can legally touch the helm?
Want to know about upcoming boating courses from the Power Squadron.
Have a question or a problem with your Lowrance, how about a chance to talk with one of their Reps.
These are the kinds of questions I have been able to get answers to in past years at this boat show.
Finally! let’s put the hot potato item on the table. Some feel a loyalty to Trotac and Wise-Buys and believe Islander Outfitters controls the show to keep them out as sales competition. I am not going to defend that, I am not even sure it is defendable and it may be best from a PR and attendance perspective for Outfitters and the show to become more inclusive. I do understand from a business perspective why Outfitters would negotiate it that way. They want to make as much profit as they can or at least not lose money for the effort involved in setting up. Cutting out local competition helps with that and there is limited space at the current venue. As the show grows I suspect size/scale will drive inclusion of more local retailers although it may require sufficient growth that a new larger venue may be needed to accommodate all, perhaps the Big Arena. It is also possible that at some point Outfitters and the Show Promoters will decide it is not worth the PR or possible attendance hit and move to be more inclusive.
That said, all three of these retailers are important to the local angling and sportsman community and all have been very generous and supportive with donations and the sponsorship of events and causes important to us all. I do a lot of business with all of them and they all have their unique strengths.
Besides a lot of fishing related knowledge and supplies, Island Outfitters also provides hunting and shooting supplies to the SVI area and very few are willing to accept the costs and all the red tape and hoop jumping necessary to do so. We use to have a number of hunting retailers, now there are few remaining in Victoria. As a fishermen and a hunter that is important to me.
Trotac is an amazing business with incredibly knowledgeable staff which extends well beyond fishing and related supplies to everything necessary to the repair and maintenance of your boat. They take the time not just to sell you something, but also to give you correct information on how to repair and maintain your boat and are incredibly helpful and flexible. How many business in today’s world will take a part off a larger unit in a sealed box because they know you need it to get you boat back in the water, even though they are going to have to take the item off the shelf, order the part and them perhaps have to sell it at a discount as an open box. That’s the kind of thing that builds you incredible customer loyalty and they do things like this all the time.
As for Wise buys when they first started up I thought it was a long shot they were going to make it in this market with ever increasing regulatory hits to our local sport fishery. But through sheer guts, determination and hard work they have done it. It is now a well stocked fishing store with owners who get their butts out of bed at some horrible hour to have coffee made and doors open in the dark in time to be of service to anglers heading out fishing very early to Sooke or farther west. We stop there all the time on the way to Sooke because we always seem to need something, they usually have it and are actually open at times when most are sleeping.
Finally I have no connection to this boat show and in fact do not even know the organizers so I am not promoting it out of any sort of direct or indirect self interest.
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