EXPO 2025

This past weekend was the 7th annual Montana Sportsman’s Expo and FVTU was right there, front and center, well almost. The Sportsman’s Expo is a homegrown operation that brings a variety of exhibitors to the Flathead touting their wares. It’s a great way to break the dead-of-winter doldrums and dream of trophy bucks and big fish. From local outfitters to African hunting safaris (yes, you read that right – Africa), there’s pretty much something for everyone, including the non-sportsman. It’s a family friendly event that even kids will enjoy. It’s also an opportunity for conservation minded organizations, like Trout Unlimited, to get their message out. For FVTU it’s a big deal because it’s the only time all year we are right there in front of the public for three straight days

Once again we had a prime location; near the entrance and adjacent to our friends and supporters, Glacier Anglers and Outfitters.

The Expo is an excellent opportunity for us to engage with the public. Through videos and displays we educate the visitors about a variety of local issues with a strong emphasis on our message: “Bull Trout Belong in Montana“. While we’re familiar with the plight of our native fish, particularly bull trout and westslope cutthroats, not everyone else is and the expo is a great way to spread that word and, hopefully, build some more supporters for valuable species that can’t speak for themselves.

But don’t get the impression that the FVTU booth was a dull place where you just get inundated with facts and figures. Quite the contrary. We offered FVTU merch for sale, Bull Trout Belong in Montana bumper stickers, fly tying demonstrations on Friday, and free flies all weekend until they ran out. For the kids we had fish coloring sheets complete with crayons, and lollypops (which also appealed to the adults, including some that worked in the booth apparently).

The Sportsman’s Expo is also when we officially kick off our annual raft raffle. You’ll recall that each year FVTU raffles off a fully equipped raft (raft, oars, frame, seats) with the winning ticket being drawn at our annual banquet, to be held May 17, at Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. This year’s raft ( valued at over $6000) was on full display at the Expo and we collected around $1,800 in raffle ticket sales, getting us off to a good start. You’ll hear lots more about the raft raffle between now and the banquet with plenty of opportunities to buy your tickets!

Finally, take a good look at the photo below.

What’s missing from this photo? Give up?……..YOU! You’re missing. FVTU is an all volunteer organization. We can’t survive, let alone thrive, without your participation. Yes it’s great to see you at the banquet or a monthly meeting, but we’d like; no we need, you to be involved in other ways as well. Helping to man the Expo booth is a great way to pitch in and help FVTU. You don’t have to be an expert on fish or fisheries, nor do you have to spend all day there. An hour or two is all we ask. It’s fun and you’re helping a cause you believe in. Afterall, that’s why you’re a member right?

Between now and next year’s Expo there’ll be another event or two where you can pitch in. Please consider answering the call next time we ask. Like Uncle Sam, We Need You!