Cabin Fever is Western PA's Largest Trout Fishing Show

The Penn’s Woods West Chapter of Trout Unlimited in conjunction with Family Tyes will hold its 14^th annual Cabin Fever trout fishing show on Sunday, March 1 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Pittsburgh’s North Hills. Show hours are 9 AM to 4 PM. The Four Points Sheraton Hotel is conveniently located at 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars PA near the intersection of I-79 and the PA Turnpike. Admission to the show is $7.00. Kids under 12 are free. 

Penn’s Woods West Chapter President, Walter Reineman, said, “The many exhibitors include dealers offering fly and spin fishing tackle and gear, rod building materials, trout flies and fly tieing supplies, guide services and accommodations. Cabin Fever is the place to start the upcoming trout season and it’s fun for the whole family.”

Free how-to, where-to seminars begin at 9:30 AM. The first is by Kurt Thomas from the Clarion Rivers Adventures which offers basic instructive and guided trips in northern and central PA. Kurt will talk about the Clarion River Watershed, its hatches and how to fish it. Ken Reinard, known as the Colonial Angler, follows at 10:30 AM. Ken specializes in the tackle and techniques of the fly fisherman in Colonial times. In his vivid and life-like presentation, Ken uses authentic 18^th century fly fishing equipment. Tom Brtalik from Tom’s Fly Fishing Service will conduct a fly casting demonstration at 12 noon. Heather Seitz, a Shaler native, a graduate of Hampton High School and now a Pitt freshman, takes the podium at 1 PM. Her presentation will be about her experience last summer as a salmon fishing guide on the Ponoi River in Russia. She will also discuss reading the water and the technique similarities between fishing in the U.S. and in other countries. Incidentally, Heather will return to the Ponoi next summer for another season of guiding salmon fishermen. Kurt Thomas returns at 2 PM for his second presentation to talk about fly casting as it relates to fly presentation and correcting casting problems.

 Family Tyes, a non-profit organization that promotes family relationships and youth development through fly fishing, will host free, hands-on introductory fly tieing classes, a fly casting clinic and a fly casting contest for kids ages 7 to 18. The Youth Fly Tieing classes start at 10 AM followed by a Youth Casting Clinic at 1 PM. The Youth Casting Contest at 2:30 PM will test youngster’s skill in roll casting to targets with prizes for the winners.

 In addition to bucket raffles for valuable fishing gear, Penn’s Woods West’s popular Flea Market will offer used but serviceable fishing tackle and accessories at bargain prices.

 Cabin Fever is the Penn’s Woods West Chapter’s major fund raising event to help finance its continuing stream improvement project on Pine Creek in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

 For more information, call Walter at 412-963-2824 or Joe at 412-761-9762.