“CONNECTICUT FISHING & OUTDOOR SHOW” NEXT WEEK AT MOHEGAN SUN:
FRIDAY, MARCH 20 through SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2026
New Products, Seminars/Demos, Fly Casting and Turkey-Calling Contests,
and Expanded “Kids Fun Zone”
UNCASVILLE, CONN., March 10, 2026 – Next week, the “Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show” returns to the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. on Friday, March 20 thru Sunday, March 22, 2026. Show Dates/Hours: Friday (First Day of Spring!): 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Discounted admission tickets now on sale at www.CTFishingOutdoorShow: Online: $12 plus tax for Adults; At Door: $15 Adults; Free for Kids under 12.
“This is the largest fishing and outdoor show in Connecticut and is designed for longtime fishing and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as for anyone who wants to learn more about angling and other kinds of open air adventure,” explains Kristie Gonsalves, Producer of the Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show and President of North East Expos, Inc. “Fishing is the highlight of this annual three-day family event that showcases a wide variety of outdoor activities including freshwater and saltwater fishing, hunting, kayaking, rafting, hunting dog training, safaris, and more. On Saturday, March 21, the event will host two new contests that the public may enter or watch. At 11 a.m.: the National Wild Turkey Federation-sanctioned “Connecticut Nor’easter Turkey Calling Championship”; and at 2 p.m.: a “Closest to the Trout” Fly Casting Contest.
“We want to motivate families and children to put down their electronic devices and instead discover a wide range of outdoor activities and experiences for quality time with each other,” adds Gonsalves. “This year’s event will feature a spacious ‘Kids Fun Zone’ that is three times the size of last year’s with live animals and hands-on activities for toddlers through teens where they can discover the wonder and beauty of the outdoors.”
Attendees at the 2026 Show will discover:
►Over 200 Booths selling the latest fishing, hunting, outdoor equipment, and fishing boats.
►Fly Casting Demonstrations by Experts in Two Locations: atop a 5,000-gallon Hawg Trough Live Fish Tank, and on the show’s fly cast pond.
►Meet and Schedule Tours with Charter Boat Fishing Captains, Hunting Outfitters, Outdoor Adventure and Safari Promoters. CT Dept. of Energy & Environmental & Protection’s (DEEP)latest rules and regulations, and displays on state’s wildlife, fisheries, boating, hunting, and parks.
►Tips/Demos on “Dog Steadiness Training” by Jeremy Cormier of V3 Gun Dogs.
►Fly-Tying Demonstrations by Capt. Ian Devlin, Fred Wilson, and others.
►Hands-On Activities include Laser Shot Range from the CT Dept. of Energy & Environmental & Protection (DEEP).
►Expert-led Seminars & Demonstrations are free with admission (full schedule at www.CTFishingOutdoorShow.com. Includes:
- Sheron K. Brown (a/k/a “The Lunkerman”), Professional Tournament Angler/Guide (Fri. & Sat. only).
- Capt. Joe Diorio, Saltwater Fishing Guide.
- Bryan Mayo, 7-time Rhode Island B.A.S.S Nation State Team and 2021 State Club Champion.
- Capt. Brian Coombs, New England Fisherman and Charter Boat Captain.
- Matt Wettish, Turkey Hunter/Champion Caller & New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame inductee.
- Tammy King, Nantucket Surfcaster and Guide.
- Jonathan Bunker, Owner/Head Guide, Square-Tail Anglers.
- Chris Parisi, Fly Fisherman and Guide, The Local Fly Co.
- Capt. BJ Silvia, Flippin’ Out Fishing Charters.
- Capt. Jason Colby, Little Sisters Charters.
- John Dellacamera, Accomplished Hunter and Bass Tournament Angler.
- Mike James, RoxStar Fishing.
- Capt. Mike Roy of Reel Cast Charters.
- Capt. Ron McKee, Surfcaster and Custom Rod Designer.
- Ryan Nye, Kayak Bass Fisherman.
- Chris Stefanou, Long Island/Florida Shark Fisherman.
- John Field, Master Casting Instructor, The Saltwater Edge Podcast.
- Capt. Ian Devlin, Fly Fisherman and Fly Tyer.
- Jim Vitaro, Professional Bass Angler.
- Derrick Fitzpatrick, Fishing Guide, CT Fish Guides & Farmington River Fly Fishing Guides.
- Capt. Mark Dysinger, Fly Fisherman and Fly Tyer.
- Fred Wilson, FlipFlyTye Fishing Products.
- Joey Takeman, Fly Fisherman.
►KIDS FUN ZONE featuring hands-on activities for toddlers through teens where they can discover the wonder and beauty of the outdoors. Will include:
- Dog training demonstrations.
- Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures Show, high-energy, educational wildlife experience with snakes, birds of prey, a fennec fox, a hedgehog and more.
- Special expert-led seminars for youth on fishing, archery, and hunting safety, plus prize giveaways.
- Slay Nation Tournament Fishing Kids Casting Corner – experts teach kids how to fly cast or “flip”, and toddlers catch plastic fish for prizes – costumed character Frankie the Fish greets the crowd.
- Hourly Children’s Scavenger Hunts where winners win tackle boxes and other prizes.
►Learn How to Use Inflatable Life Jackets by the U.S. Coast Guard.
►“Chance”- a colorful 14-foot Brook Trout sculpture by Brooksville, Maine artist/sculptor Joey Rizzo.
►View upcoming premier Military and Historic guns at auction in Connecticut and discover how to sell antique and collectible firearms with CT Firearms Auction.
►TWO SPECIAL EVENTS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST:
11 a.m.: National Wild Turkey Federation-sanctioned
“Connecticut Nor’easter Turkey Calling Championship” with callers from as far as Pennsylvania and Vermont competing in different divisions including a Senior Open, whose winner qualifies to compete in the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2027 Grand Nationals in Nashville, Tenn. Hosted/emceed by Turkey Hunter/ Champion Caller Matt Wettish of the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Ages 7 and older can register at the event.
2 p.m.: “Closest to the Trout” Fly Casting Contest – register at www.Localflyco.com and scroll down.
ADMISSION: DISCOUNTED ONLINE TICKETS ON SALE NOW through end of 3-day show:
Online: $12 for Adults; Free Tickets for Kids under Age 12 at www.CTFishingOutdoorShow.com.
At the door: $15 Adults; Free for Children Under Age 12. Free Parking (nearest is Winter Garage).
SHOW INFO at www.CTFishingOutdoorShow.com or 860-844-8461. Facebook, Instagram.
Show sponsors include The Fisherman Magazine, LeafGuard, WFSB Channel 3, and 97.7 WCTY Eastern CT’s Country station, Renewal by Anderson, Mohegan Sun, and North East Expos, Inc.
FOR SHOW INFO, visit www.CTFishingOutdoorShow.com Facebook or 860-844-8461. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram.
Speakers, Demonstrators and Exhibitors interested in registering for the Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show at Mohegan Sun should contact Kristie Gonsalves at 860-844-8461, or email Kristie@northeastexpos.com, or visit www.CTFishingOutdoorShow.com.
NORTH EAST EXPOS, INC., producer of this event, is a decades old, family-owned company that also produces the popular “Connecticut Flower & Garden Show” at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. For information about North East Expos, Inc., contact Kristie Gonsalves at 860-844-8461 or email Kristie@northeastexpos.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
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Laura Soll, Communications
2024 CT Fishing & Outdoor Show
Phone (860) 688-4499
Cell (860) 833-4466