Reflections on the Cedar Rapids Iowa Sportsman’s Show 2018

by Sophie Castonguay

It was our first time in Iowa. We drove 16 hours to get there and thought to ourselves... as if anyone this far away is going to know where Red Lake Ontario was. Boy, were we in for a surprise!

It was a joy to set up our brand new display at Hawkeye Downs Arena in Cedar Rapids. Standing at 20 feet long, our new backdrop, courtesy of the RED Grant, is big and beautiful! It showcases everything that is special about our community. The fishing , the aircrafts , the mining, the natural beauty, the Aboriginal culture, the openness of our community, etc... We were proud to host this beautiful booth!

The maps drew them in to our booth, the memories kept them grounded there. We were delighted to see that 90% of people that stopped by our booth knew where our region was! Many had memories of their father or grandfather coming up Hwy 105 fifteen to twenty years ago . Many have been coming up to Hwy 105 for 10 years + themselves. We also encountered many people who have been going to Perrault Falls or Ear Falls for years and years without driving that extra 45 minutes to get to Red Lake. We highly encouraged them to travel the extra miles to discover our vibrant community. 

Overall,  the Iowans we encountered had very positive, almost wistful memories of the Red Lake area. The nostalgia and longing for a return to simple, peaceful days spent in nature was the overall sentiment we took away from Americans in Iowa vis a vis our area of the world. They view Northwestern Ontario as a land of pure, crystal clear lakes, unpolluted air, peace and quiet.

Although many were interested in the fresh fish in our lakes, in particular in our trophy size Northern Pike and Muskie, many more said they couldn't care less about the fish, they only wanted to be surrounded in our untouched wilderness with the opportunity to photograph it. These nature lovers wanted the chance to escape in a canoe or be dropped off into a remote lake via our bush planes to absorb and relish every moment spent in the rejuvenating isolation that only nature can provide.

We were the only ones on Hwy 105 represented at the Cedar Rapids Sportsman's Show. For this reason, we felt it was very important that we were there to represent our members, promote them and spark a flame in people's spirit that will lead them down Hwy 105 in the near future. Iowans were very grateful to us for having made the long trek to Iowa to bring them news and hope for a peaceful and invigorating trip up Hwy 105 in the near future.

Report from the 2015 Sportsman Show Season

by Sophie Castonguay

Every year come January, the Red Lake Publicity Board gets in gear to go represent its members at the American Sportsman's Shows. Tourism in Red Lake is largely centered around its numerous camps and lodges that specialize in fishing, camping and hunting. The great majority of tourists that come to Canada for fishing are American and so, we seek out Sportsman Shows in the States near to us that may be interested in coming up to enjoy the beautiful unspoiled Canadian nature.

This year, the Red Lake Tourism Board went to three Sportsman's Shows....
one in Chicago,  Illinois, one in Fargo, North Dakota and one in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

All were definitely worth attending!  Although some of the camp owners that we represent take the time and energy to travel to the States to the shows to promote their lodges personally, many don't have the time and energy required to do so. This is where the Publicity Board really works its magic at attracting new customers to come frequent the local camps.

If you've never been to a Sportsman's Show, the sheer magnitude of these shows is awe inspiring! These are Big shows! There's an area for boats, water toys and four wheelers, another area for campers, rv's and ice fishing campers and I'm just getting started...

Then, there are the booths. Booths for fishing lodges, hunting camps, there are food vendors, camping supply vendors, fishing and hunting supply vendors... anything that would appeal to people who love fishing, hunting and camping, you name it....it's there! Plus, there are activities for kids and workshops for both young and older on topics ranging from: Trolling Tips & Secrets to Tactics to Boat more Fish to How to Walk Among Deer Unnoticed.

This company was overhauling vintage campers!

All shows were well attended and although not all Americans are brave enough to cross that border and come visit us in the Great White North, all agree on one thing: Canada is gorgeous! So many pure lakes, so many giant fish, so much peace and freedom from our wide open spaces and fresh air.

The range of show attendees we chatted with at the show included many who were regulars to the Red Lake and Hwy 105 Region. Lots of outdoors men and women return to their favorite camp or lodge every year and have been doing so for many years. Once they get acquainted with the friendly hosts and staff of the camps we represent, they are loyal to that camp for years and years to come and they recommend that camp to all their friends and family. According to our camp owners, the rate of return of happy customers in the Red Lake region is upwards of 85%! That says a lot about the dedication of our camp owners!

Father & Son Bonding at Excellent Adventures

Other people we met at the show were families looking for an escape out of the big cities and the mostly lake-less lands of the north central USA to give their kids a taste of the great outdoors. This is a great idea and the Red Lake Region is definitely the place to come together as a family and bond over unforgettable moments spent in nature.

Many residents and camp owners of the Red Lake District notice that the number of families coming to their camps has greatly dwindled in the past years. Many claim that this is due to today's youth being addicted to technology and constantly on their phone on Facebook or playing online games.

Well, as a person that loves nature and is also apparently addicted to the information super highway, I have great news..... Many of our lodges and resorts have wifi in the lodges and many even have cell range and access to data! So, the best of both worlds can be had down hwy 105!

Of course, I'm not suggesting that everyone take to the outdoors in our beautiful fun filled natural environment to be glued to their phone or laptop and not enjoy nature! What I am proposing is to coax your technology addicted children and teenagers into a family getaway by reassuring them that the internet can be available at the resort you choose.

Next thing you know, they will come out of the basement, into the light of day and suddenly will be too busy reeling in the big fish or roasting the perfect marshmallow to even think about being on their phone constantly. Or else, they will simply be Facebooking, Snapchatting, Tweeting or Instagramming their big catch to their peeps to show off their catch.... and really, what's the harm in that!?

The view from Sunset Lodge

All in all, the 2015 Sportsman Show Season was very successful in promoting our beautiful region to the North Central USA area. We met many folks who dream of coming to the Red Lake area this year to enjoy our nature and partake in fishing, camping and hunting in our region.

Many Americans now armed with our brand new 2015 Adventure Guide and brochures from HWY 105 camp and resorts will now actively be planning their Northern getaway. We are eagerly anticipating your arrival if you are one of these people and will welcome you with open arms to our treasured Canadian landscape!