OFF AND RUNNING!

Come each New Year, we seem to take off every bit as fast as a nitro-
burning dragster seeking a record-breaking run. That’s because our first
television episode of the new year airs the first weekend in January, and
generally that first or second Saturday in January finds us taking the Salt
Water Sportsman National Seminar Series on the road for its annual eight-
stop pilgrimage. Our first VERSUS episode aired on Saturday, January 1,
at 11:30 a.m., and our first National Seminar Series stop was at Trump’s
Marina Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Saturday, January
8. But, despite the hecticness, it’s all good!

As is tradition when the Seminar Series goes to Trump’s, I flew in on
Thursday morning, with production team members Swede Greene, Mr.
Miller, James Hanrahan and Lou Volpe. We like to spend extra time going
through gear, visuals, hall set ups, etc, since it is the first stop on the tour.
Typically, we fly to a venue early Friday morning, and set-up after an early
lunch. On Saturday, we conduct our seminar, and then fly out Saturday
evening. The Jersey stop had us there from Thursday until Sunday.

Joining us in Atlantic City was a solid team of regional experts that
included Trey Rhyne, Tyler Fruits, Scott Newhall, Tim Tanghare, Jack Shea,
and Joe Trainor. Our national faculty for this show was comprised of Dr.
Mitchell Roffer and Bouncer Smith. My co host was fellow Salt Water
Sportsman writer and noted New Jersey angling authority Gary Caputi.

For me, one of the neatest things about these seminars is hanging out
and talking shop with our faculty teams, on stage, and off. And when you
realize just how much angling knowledge exists within such a group, it’s
really impressive. And, of course, having the opportunity to chat with some
of the attendees during your breaks is enjoyable.

This is how our weekends will be, until after we wrap up the 2011
Seminar Series in Boston on March 5. Again, it’s a lot of work for a very
short period of time, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Check out: www.nationalseminarseries.com