“Fishermen like to hear those guys talk”

Only the heartiest fisherman would be on the water during the first week of January, braving subfreezing temperatures for a bite that may or may not come.

The 15th annual Let’s Go Fishing Show at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville offers a much more comfortable alternative for the angler jonesing for a fishing fix.

The popular three-day event starts at noon Friday and concludes at 5 p.m. Sunday.

‘Timing is a big thing,’ said show manager Steve Lengyel. ‘Some of the hardcore fisherman are going to be out there in 40-degree weather, but most of the people take this as an opportunity to enjoy fishing and talk about fishing. I’ve always thought part of the show is the atmosphere. You see guys standing around in groups talking about fishing. Read more