Get more kids involved in fishing and outdoors sports, Niles Expo vendors say

March 4, 2012 at 4:54p.m.

By JORDAN COHEN

news@vindy.com

NILES

Larry Patrone, an outdoor clothing vendor at the Sportsman’s Super Show at the Eastwood Expo Center on Sunday, says the show was “very successful” for his sales, but he wished more children would have attended.

“Parents need to bring more young people into (outdoor) sports, especially fishing,” said Patrone, a Canfield resident who has been a show vendor for 14 years.

“I saw a survey that showed the average age of tackle buyers is 53 and I’m worried that interest in fishing will die out,” he added at the final day of the three-day event today.

Judi Henninger of Niles, one of the show organizers for two decades, said she is conscious of the need to attract a new generation, which is why the show gave away more than 100 fishing rods and reels to children over the weekend.

“Kids are the future of hunting and fishing,” Henninger said, “and this is a great alternative to video games.”

Henninger said the show set a record this year with more than 120 vendors, many of whom have broadened their appeals to families.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.