Sarley: The speakers are what make fishing expo an event worth attending

To me there is nothing more exciting to do that doesn’t include being on the water than attending a great fishing exhibition.

That time of the year is here. Our 2026 show season kicks off with the Chicagoland Fishing Expo at the Schaumburg Convention Center, Jan. 22-25.

I didn’t want to wait until the last minute to tell you about this because this is an event that you shouldn’t miss.

The big stars who act as the featured speakers and presenters are what it’s all about to me. Show manager Tod Alberto always does a great job in selecting the best speakers available, and 2026 is no different.

I was excited to learn that the main event speaker this year would be the one and only Chris Johnston.

Johnston is very young for all he has accomplished so far in the world of professional fishing, At the tender age of 35, the Canadian pro has just won his second consecutive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award. A lot of anglers have won tournaments, but Angler of the Year is proof that a fishermen has consistency in his performances and is at the top of the leaderboard in every tourney he enters.

People were skeptical of Johnston when he headed south. They figured he could only catch smallmouth and catch them only in northern deep waters. Johnston has proven his talents in catching both the black bass and the brown variety. Johnston is a very strong angler using all techniques.

Schaumburg is getting its money out of Chris Johnston, as it has him up on the stage on Friday and Saturday, multiple times a day. He is titling his seminars in different fashions, so planning to listen to him speak multiple times would be a good idea.

So besides Cory Johnston and a roster of some of the best local and Midwest speakers in the business, I am all set. I can’t wait for the show to roll around and I hope you will be there too.

Wait! Hold the phone! Alberto just announced that he has added a speaker that now makes this lineup too good to be true.

Mike “Ike” Iaconelli is now the kickoff speaker at the Chicagoland Fishing Expo on Jan. 22. There is no bigger name in the fishing business than Iaconelli. He has fished everywhere and has won events in every league he has competed in. He has been a fixture on television for years, and his popularity is as big as it gets.

They tried making Iaconelli into “the bad boy of fishing” at first. He was loud and abrasive, blaring hip-hop music from his boat and hitting his deck and break dancing when he caught a fish. They put him of the cover of “ESPN the Magazine,” covered in tattoos and shirtless.

The look of Iaconelli couldn’t have been more different from what he was really like. He never turns down a fan for an autograph or a picture. He’ll spend hours answering questions. He is extremely generous with his time.

Iaconelli has been an ambassador for the sport of kayak fishing and for high school and college fishing programs. He is one of the best human beings in the fishing business.

Why go see Iaconelli speak? He is a master at fishing pressured urban waters. I am sure he will give plenty of tips and secrets to make us become better fishermen in the local waters that we like to fish. As a matter of fact, I guarantee he will.

Put the Chicagoland Fishing Expo on your calendar. Check chicagoland.sportshows.com for information

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.