Fishing the focus at outdoor expo in Schaumburg
Children excitedly grabbed fishing rods and cast lines into a 50-foot "pond" Sunday during the 6th annual Chicagoland Fishing, Travel and Outdoor Expo at the Schaumburg Convention Center.
The outdoor show featured more that 100 exhibitors including travel retailers, major fishing tackle manufacturers, local fishing retailers and various boat manufacturers.
"As you look around, you see a lot of smiling children. It's about getting them away from a computer and having them get outdoors and enjoy the outdoors," said show manager Tod Alberto.
Alberto said seminars were a key component show, including presentations from BASS Pro Angler of the Year Brandon Palaniuk, Bass Elite Pro Ish Monroe and Bass Pro Elite Pro Seth Feider.
"Fish aren't always easy to catch. Sometimes they are finicky," Alberto said.
Among the young anglers Sunday was Michael Gomoluch, 14, of Arlington Heights, who took in some fly fishing tips from Ryan Siron of Round Lake.
"I think this is pretty cool," Michael said. "I was never able to fly fish before so he gave me some good pointers."