The Springfield and Branson Chapters of the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association will hold a Fly Fishing Expo in Branson at the Branson Lions Club building on July 27 and 28, 2018. We’ll have lots of stuff going on. Fly tying, fly casting demonstrations, kids fishing, raffles, auctions, conservation organizations, vendors, food, fun, and more. Special raffles will be held for a Simms G3 wader and guide boot set; an Orvis Helios 3D 9′ 5 wt. 4-piece (The D stands for distance) and Hydros SL II large arbor reel loaded with backing and Orvis Hydros fly line.; and possibly a kayak. Admission fees will be $5 per adult but accompanied children are free.
The Branson Fly Fishing Expo is a fund raiser that not only keeps the chapters’ budgets in the black and our other activities going, but it is going to be the financial vehicle that takes us into a greater involvement with teaching kids about fishing and conservation. It is a collaboration of the Springfield and Branson Chapters and since this is only the second year for this event, we’re still planning and growing. One of the events we are trying to establish with the Expo is a kids’ fishing event in Branson near the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery. This is the first year for the kids fishing event. We were able to arrange for the Branson Comedian of the Year to show up in the character of Barney Fife to help entertain the kids along with the fishing. We don’t know how successful it will be, but we are confident that it will grow. One of our first tasks will be to simply buy the tackle we will loan to the kids. We hope to schedule more events for fishing education. For information: https://www.mtfa-springfield.org/news-events/branson-fly-fishing-expo-july-27-28-2018/