I conduct seminars at most of the big outdoor shows around the country but I’m not too sure that I don’t enjoy small local events better. They’re lower key and you have time to really talk to people. Plus, they have all of the good food. Kettle corn, flavored cotton candy and so forth. I was reminded of this today when I hit the Rugged Idaho Expo at the Indian Creek Plaza.

Every small show that I hit, I’m always shocked at how many local outdoor companies I meet that I never knew existed. And they’re right here under my nose. I thought that I was pretty well connected but I guess not. Let’s go over some of the booths that interested me.

The first booth that I hit was M & M Jigs located in Wilder. Two young men named Morgan and Micheal Etter were sitting at the table and their mom and dad were in the background. They greeted me and asked what kind of fishing I liked to do. I saw that they had some crappie jigs and crappie fishing should kick off within a few days (By the time you’re reading this article) so I told them I like crappie fishing.

They were very good little businessmen and answered all of my questions. (They’re only 12 & 9 years old)! The mom suggested that they have me test out a couple of jigs and see how they worked out. If you see a cooler full of crappie in my next article then you’ll know which jigs to use!

As we were finishing up their dad stepped up and gave me a little history. Turns up that they’re in business with their grandad. He makes the jigs and the boys tie on the bucktails and are working the shows to promote them. How cool is that? A grandad starting his grandsons off in business together. Love it.

I met Steve Weston years ago when we were both conducting seminars at Sierra Trading Post and Cabela’s and have been friends since. He is an awesome chef and was conducting backcountry cooking seminars when I met him. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that it’d be smart to set up my table beside him, that way I could be the official sampler. He has done nothing but gotten better since those days.

I had noticed on the event schedule that he was going to be conducting a Backcountry Cooking seminar at this event so Katy and I made it a point to attend. As is usual, I learned a lot of new tips from him.

He published a cooking book titled IN THE WILD CHEF. I’ve got one years ago and really enjoy it. He simplifies the recipes and yet you will feel like you are eating gourmet meals. I’d recommend that you buy this book to liven up your backcountry meals. I won’t do him justice but many mountain climbing and backcountry expeditions hire him to be their chef.

Clinton Miller had a booth set up and has an outfit named Sage to Sawtooth Bushcraft and is an expert at building fires. He too had a seminar but I got held up and arrived just as he was finishing up. I did get to talk to him for a bit though and he shared some tips.

One tip I’d never heard of. He said the better guitar picks are super flammable and make a good fire starter. Never knew that. He also had a flat piece of plastic, about the size of a credit card that acts as magnifying glass with which he can start a fire. Someday hopefully I can attend one of his seminars.

I stopped at one booth named AEGIS Gun Care which has gun oils, lubricants, and kits with brushes and rifle/pistol cables. I’m going to have to check them out.

Then I also stopped at two booths that offer holsters. Havok Holsters and Tactical Concealment Holster. I’m going to have to check them out as well. I’m always looking for the perfect holster, aren’t you?

We live in an outdoor state and consequently have a lot of outdoor companies here. You’d of thought that by now that I knew all of them but apparently not! I’d encourage you to hit the little shows, Expos and such. You never know what kind of new products you might find or the interesting people that you might meet.