Expo caters to all types of outdoor enthusiasts

Anything and everything a sportsman would ever want to know or hope to know about will be available this week at the International Sportsmen's Exposition.

Whether it falls into areas of hunting, fishing, dog training, camping, cooking, boating, calling in bull elk or mallard ducks, or casting a lure into a likely looking spot for fish, experts will be on hand to inform those attending.

The expo starts at noon today and run through Sunday.

The cast of outdoor experts will be in the South Towne Exposition Center, 9575 S. State.

According to show organizers, there will be 500 exhibitors in this year's show that will take up all 250,000 square feet of space in the building.

In an unusual twist, part of the cooking features will focus on the burbot, a fish illegally planted in Flaming Gorge Reservoir that now is taking up a prominent position in the fish chain.

Cooking experts will be there to show sportsmen how to prepare and dine on the burbot in hopes of encouraging them to fish for them more aggressively. The fish is said to be fun to catch and good to eat.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources recently removed the limit on the fish and are encouraging anglers to keep and kill all they catch.

There will also be a number of other culinary contests, cook-offs and cooking seminars presented during the four days of the show.

Always a popular attraction will be the Youth Outdoor Sports Fair, which will be in one area of the center.

There will be more than 20 different activities offered to children, including the opportunity to catch a trout, shoot arrows at a target, make a survival kit, drive a remote-control, all-terrain vehicle and learn about a variety of things, including how to conserve water, boat safely and avoid harm in bear country.

Exhibits include: fishing and hunting resorts and lodges; outfitters and guides; fishing, hunting and camping products; outdoor apparel and optics; lifestyle furnishings; local clubs and organizations representing all of the outdoor activities spotlighted in the show; trucks, trailers and aftermarket accessories; ATVs, motorcycles and personal watercraft; boats and marine accessories; and RVs and campers.

There will also be hundreds of seminars led by top local, regional and national experts at a variety of stages and interactive areas. Several groups will also hold their championship events. These would include the Utah State duck-calling championships; National Best-of-the-West Distance Fly-Casting finals; Best-of-the-West elk-calling contest; new Frost Bite BBQ contest; and new Utah National Wild Turkey Federation-sanctioned calling contest.