The Texas Fly Fishing and Brew Festival is leading the way back from virtual to live expos.
This is the fly fishing/hunting category’s first “live” expo in the country in 2021. Its success will hopefully set the stage for more in-person expos in the future.
When Beau Beasley was preparing for his 20th annual Virginia Fly Fishing Show in January, he didn’t realize he’d be shut down by the state’s pandemic protocols just weeks before the event. “It was crushing for all of us,” says Beasley. “My staff, all the speakers, and especially the vendors who earn a living at events like mine were devastated.”
Casting instructor Karlie Roland gives casting tips at one of the casting ponds.
However, things went much better in the Lone Star State where the Texas Fly Fishing Show was held February 27 and 28, 2021. More than a thousand visitors came to the Mesquite Convention Center and Exhibit Hall to enjoy fly casting and fly-tying demos, check out products, lodges, guides and outfitters, and get a taste of local microbrew beers and bourbons.
Heather and Kinley Gehrke model Yellow Sally Brown Pattern “Troutfits.”
Fly-fishing destinations from Alaska, Canada, Bolivia, Brazil and the Lower 48 were represented, along with numerous products ranging from rods, reels and flies to sunglasses, clothing and kayaks.
Casting instructor Karlie Roland announces winners of the Sporting Classics Book Drawing with the help of Nick Christian.
The Mesquite tourism team worked closely with the show to make sure things went off smoothly. “Putting on the event during this time with all the social distancing, limited occupancy and mask requirements was challenging,” said Jessica McClellan, Manager of the Mesquite Convention and Visitors Bureau. “But Beau Beasley and his team did an excellent job. Mesquite is delighted to have the show returning here again in 2022.” She went on to say that this type of event helps satisfy the pent-up demand by so many to get outdoors, enjoy their hobbies and travel again safely.
Professional guide Greg Welander, a manufacturer’s representative for companies like Thomas & Thomas and Dagon Apparel, was impressed with the turnout. “My lecture on fly fishing the Texas Hill Country was standing room only,” says Welander, “and I can tell you that people were buying gear like crazy. I think people are ready to reconnect and experience the outdoors again. Getting to cast fly rods and ask in-depth questions about gear are a sign of how much people at this event really want to learn about the sport of fly fishing.”
What made the Texas Fly & Brew so successful in the face of such a potentially daunting safety challenge? “We had the solid support of our sponsors,” Beasley says without hesitation. “Year in and year out, TakeMeFishing.org has helped us reach new anglers; they’ve been especially important in helping us bring women into the quiet sport. We’re really proud of the fact that 30 percent of our attendees at our family-friendly event are women.”
With a little something for everyone, the Texas Fly & Brew featured Texas-distilled bourbon tasting classes, seminars on fishing for everything that swims, gourmet redfish cooking demos and numerous specialty classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced anglers. “All of our instructors,” says Beasley, “are experts, passionate both about the sport and to share fly fishing with others.”
This year the festival’s secret weapon came in the form of business-friendly partners: “From the tourism bureau to the hotel staff, everyone in Mesquite knocked it out of the park. They made us feel more than welcome—they made us feel at home.”
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