After directing 30 symposiums, not counting about 150 + Fly Fishing Shows, I feel comfortable that my predictions would have some validity. But let’s start with pre-show wishes before the actual event. You can cross all your fingers and toes while praying at the same time for happy show weather. That means cold and windy, and maybe light rain, is perfect. Heavy snow or warm sunny skies are a no-no. And for Jersey you have to hope the largest blitz of stripers and blues don’t happen that weekend, and if it does, the symposium will clear out as if a fire drill is ringing.
We were pretty fortunate this 30’th anniversary. Oh, I almost forgot, we were dealing with a world-wide pandemic! With all the years of successful symposiums, never in my wildest thoughts could I have predicted I would have to deal with Civid 19. In May when I started the show process my only thoughts were the virus would be over by November. I was close, but it is still horrible in many states and countries. Fortunately, the symposium took place in New Jersey, and Jersey and New York were a couple of successful states winning enough to give you confidence in being safer than other places. I personally think that most, if not all tiers and show guests, were vaccinated.
Enough about something that doesn’t need to exist anymore. Let’s hope it vanishes completely everywhere and the future is totally safe.
As for more specific facts that are always questioned at the end of a symposium like: how were the numbers?, was it worth it?, did you make any money?, etc. etc. Allow me to share my thoughts. I heard it over and over. “We needed this,” was the Symposium mantra. Yes we did. Seeing old friends, making new ones, sharing fishing and tying stories, getting to touch and buy materials, books, and flies, all were needed. It was a lot of work for all, but it can only succeed with everyone doing their share. I’m very grateful to work with all of the tiers, exhibitors, and see the loyal customers that support us.
To answer a few of the common questions : The customer exact count is difficult, but overall the crowd was actually equal to pre-pandemic numbers with a slightly slower opening crowd on Saturday, but there was a 15-20 % steady increase on Sunday with many new teen tiers. So because of the difficult flying restrictions, especially from Europe, and a hard to calculate lose of customers due to the fear of getting infected, we could have had a decent increase in overall attendance. I would summarize the success of the symposium a bit of a surprise, because many of us expected a questionable turnout. If we didn’t have the virus it could have been a home run. But a solid double isn’t disappointing. When the Covid 19 takes a final turn to oblivion, the winter Fly Fishing Shows will certainly be very busy. As the saying goes, “we needed this”.
See you next year.
Chuck Furimsky
