Jackson: A quick link to outdoors shows in St. Charles, Rosemont and Schaumburg
Aching feet; muscle spasms in our backs; and tongues hanging out of our mouths. These are just a smattering of the annual maladies we endure because us outdoors addicted creatures will have a tendency to overdose on tailored outdoor show excitement.
We're coming to see the other creatures that prance; fin; float; and fly their way through their own life cycle.
And the outdoor sports shows are aplenty. Here's a rundown of them, and if I missed one or two I'll beg your indulgence now.
Here's the 2017 calendar of events for January. Check the websites listed for tickets, exhibits, discounts and more information:
The Muskie ExpoWhen: Jan. 6-8
Where: Pheasant Run, St. Charles.
All-Canada ShowWhen: Jan. 12-15
Where: Pheasant Run, St. Charles.
Web: AllCanada.com
Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sale ShowWhen: Jan. 11-15
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago
Web: chicagoboatshow.com
Chicago Outdoor Sports ShowWhen: Jan. 19-22
Where: Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.
Web: chicagosportshow.com
Chicago Fishing and Travel ShowWhen: Jan. 25-Jan. 29
Where: Schaumburg Convention Center
It's going to be a tough choice for me personally to visit all these shows because of some lean time factors, but my eagerness and appetite for pulse-pounding stuff will hopefully drive me to expend enough energy to jam plenty of excitement in to my planning schedule.
Here's a side note that tied to the Rosemont show.
It may have been about 15 years ago when I was walking from aisle-to-aisle in that cavernous space. As I stepped up to one booth in particular to examine the spinner baits neatly displayed on a peg board, I heard someone call out my name. I turned and looked around but I didn't recognize anyone, until this guy walked up to me and grabbed my shoulder and gave me a powerful bear hug.
This "stranger" was a childhood pal whom I fished with on Lake Zurich and the Fox River. Of course we both had added pounds to our frames and yet his face still managed to display the big smile I used to treasure when we finished a day of fishing.
And I believe it was a year later when I experienced another similar encounter. I was standing just off the traffic in an aisle when a chap walked up and introduced himself.
"I read your column and listen to your talk show all the time," he stated, "and I knew we used to hang out together when we were kids by recognizing your picture in your column." Teddy referred to our misadventures on the rocks at Montrose Avenue and our failed attempts in catching jumbo perch. This reconnection triggered happy memories and a willingness to do it again.
For me, the seminars at the Rosemont show ultimately teach me that I still have "miles to go before I sleep." That metaphor pertains to the fact that I am always learning something new for the next time I wade the Fox and Kishwaukee rivers.
I anticipate fishing the Chicago River with Pat Harrison. He'll be sharing some of his river secrets at the Rosemont Show. "Ranger" Rick Kruger, the driving force behind "Guides Choice" in Vilas County, Wis., will whet everyone's appetite when he shows off his trophy pictures and graphics.
You know winter has finally arrived when all the fishing and hunting talent comes out of the woodwork to entertain and thrill us.
And when it's all said and done, when we climb into bed we will dream heartily that very same night we attend an outdoor show. Life seems to get better when we stand at the gates of spring and summer.
• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at mikejacksonoutdoors.com.