Madison Fishing Expo Run Feb. 23-25
by Dan DurbinThe Madison Fishing Expo (MFE) runs February 23-25 and will again donate all proceeds from its fishing show to worthy fishing projects for 2007, including funding for a yearly scholarship to UW Stevens Point. The show will be at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center and to date has donated over $550,000 for fishing projects in Wisconsin.
"We aren't in this for money," said Steve Hauge, MFE Board Member. "Our volunteers are in it to make fishing better, and more accessible for everyone who wants to pursue it. It's hard to believe we have grown to where we have just doing this on a part time basis. Now, close to 30,000 people attend the show."
It's really quite a story that this show has prospered despite the fact that its run by guys who had no show-experience before the began running it, and that everyone is a volunteer.
"Maybe that's what makes the show so good," said Chuck Rolfsmeyer, current President of MFE. "We are in this to have an entertaining show to help get more people fishing. We aren't in it to put money in our pockets."
The benefits of going to the show don't stop once a person leaves the parking lot to go home. In fact, part of the your dollar may even go to a fishing project in your own backyard. Below are just a portion of recent projects funded by MFE:
- $1,000 Dane Co. Lakes & Watershed Commission
- $1,000 Fishing Has No Boundaries - Lake Mendota Event -
- $4,250 Dane Co. Parks - marker buoys for Madison lakes?
- $2,000 Pecatonica River Enhancement Council
- $5,000 Fishing Expo Scholarship Fund - UW Stevens Point?
- $10,000 Warner Park/Lake Mendota project
- $23,000 Fishing Expo Scholarship Fund - UW Stevens Point
- $10,000 Jenni & Kyle Preserve - Dane County Parks?
- $5,000 Fishing Expo Scholarship Fund - UW Stevens Point
- $7,500 Dane County - Heritage Center Lakes
"Kids won't miss out either," Rolfsmeyer said, "With several free activities, just for them from the popular "Kids Teaching Kids" exhibit to face painting!"
Over 150 boats will be on hand for those looking for a new rig. Plus, because this is a fishing-only show, anglers can find some of the best, hard to find lures for sale, that aren't available by normal retail means. People looking to book a fishing trip will be happy too, as some of the best outfitters are on hand.
"People can also enter to win a MirroCraft Boat package powered by a 40-horse Evinrude E-Tech compliments of American Marine & Motorsports Superstore, E-Tec, and the MFE," he said.
The shows runs Friday, 4pm-9p.m., Saturday, 9am-7pm, and Sunday, 9am-5pm. Admission is $8 for adults, with children ages 12 and under being free. For more information, go to www.madfishexpo.com.
Sponsored by: Subway, Yar-Craft , Evinrude E-Tec Outboards ,WISC-3 TV, Wisconsin State Journal , 94.1 WJJO, Outdoor Wisconsin, American Marine and Motorsports Super Center, and Wisconsin Outdoor News.
Dan Durbin is a syndicated outdoors writer who freelances for several local, regional, and national hunting and fishing publications. He is also co-owner of Bast-Durbin Advertising, a full-service ad agency the focuses solely on hunting and fishing-related businesses. He parks his boat and truck in
