For Immediate Release:  

Family fun:  The Ultimate Fishing Show—Detroit,
January 7 to 10, appeals to kids of all ages

NOVI– Question:  Why is fishing so popular with American families?  Answer:  It’s fun!

From January 7 to 10, the fun moves indoors to Rock Financial Showplace, 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi.  That’s when the Ultimate Fishing Show—Detroit comes to town for its annual four-day run.  

To be sure, there’s plenty to see—four acres of fishing tackle, a fleet of new fishing boats, an indoor lake where speakers try to catch live fish and contestants bob for trout—but angling is more than a spectator sport.  

It’s hands on, too.  At Michigan’s biggest fishing show, kids of all ages can try their luck in the Trout Pond, loaded with live rainbow trout waiting to be caught.  The catch percentage is high, some of the fish are tagged for prizes, and the nominal fee goes to the non-profit Michigan Bass Busters for educational programs.

On Saturday and Sunday, boys and girls receive free casting instruction and then can  compete for accuracy.  The Michigan B.A.S.S. Federation NATION will host the Casting Kids Competition.  Rods, reels and tackle are provided at no charge.  

Colton Bay Outfitters, the Orvis dealer in Ann Arbor, offers free fly tying and fly fishing lessons all four days of the show.  Children are welcome to participate and learn.   

The Virtual Fishing Simulator is a popular computer game where children grab a rod and reel and do battle with a 100-pound sailfish or a 50-pound salmon.  Proceeds go to the Michigan Charter Boat Association’s scholarship fund.  

If virtual fishing doesn’t tire out the kids, the 25-foot-high Rock Climbing Wall, will.  The small fee for that popular activity goes to charity, too.  

There’s even a traveling zoo at the Ultimate Fishing Show.  Premier Animal Attractions will bring several exotic animals for kids to see and photograph.  The animals include a tiger cub, red kangaroo, fennec fox, African porcupine, umbrella cockatoo, Siberian lynx, African serval, bearcat and baboon.  
 
Cran-Hill Ranch, a youth camp and family campground near Big Rapids, is bringing its popular Family Zone to the show.  Kids can play on the Climbing Tower, roast marshmallows over a simulated campfire, practice crayon coloring skills on fish species, and participate in other free, family-fun activities.  
 
Hungry?  The Shore Lunch Fish Fry offers a basket of fillets, fries and cole slaw at an affordable “family price.”  

Kids are among those who enjoy collecting the commemorative Dardevle spoons that Eppinger Manufacturing Co. in Dearborn hands out each year on Thursday and Friday to the first 500 show patrons.  On both Saturday and Sunday, Carlisle Float Company will offer free bobbers to the first 500 attendees.  

Affordable admission fees are the same as last year:  $10 for adults and $4 for kids six to 12.  Children five and under get in free.  For a free coupon to exchange for admission, bring a sack of non-perishable food items (minimum of 4 pounds or 6 cans or boxes) on Thursday, Jan. 7 only and get in free that night.  Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger will collect the donations and take them to area food banks.  

Fishing is fun.  Fishing is affordable.  And the Ultimate Fishing Show—Detroit is a great way for the family to start the New Year with a bang.   

Show hours are Thursday, 2 to 9:30; Friday, Noon to 9:30; Saturday, 10 to 9; Sunday, 10 to 5.  More info:  www.UltimateFishingShow.com or 800-328-6550.