Contact: Willie Beshire
Local Events
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Throughout the year, OBTU, offers a range of community outreach, adult education, and social events. Due to Covid, some of these events are being curtailed in 2021. However, watch email announcements and the Calendar for developments. Some of the events we typically host in normal years include:
Booths at local Trade Shows:
-Schamburg Fishing & Outdoor Expo in January
-Tinley Park Fishing & Outdoor Show in Feb
-The “Early Show” in November
Adult Education:
-Free Fly Tying Workshops
-Casual Socializing & Casting Sessions on Tuesday evenings and Sunday mornings during the summer
-We team with Orvis to instruct 201 Fly Fishing Classes: Free TU memberships for participants.
Social Events to mix with fellow members:
-Periodic “Trout-on-Tap” appetizers & drinks
-Pre Chapter Meeting Pizza Parties
-Chapter Fishing Outings (see the “Fishing” Section)
-December Holiday Party
-Annual Open House, Periodic Cookouts, etc.
Sunday morning casting sessions
Location: Clark Island on the Fox River in Batavia.
Check the calendar to confirm dates & times.
Map to Clark Island:
Illustrative information on a few past events follows. When Covid allows, we plan to resume these activities:
Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo
January 23 – 26, 2020
Location: Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N, Thoreau Drive N, Schaumburg, IL
Show Hours
Thursday, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information including admission cost visit the Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo website
Tinley Park Fishing and Outdoors Show
February 8 and 9, 2020
Location: Tinley Park High School, 6111 W. 175th Street (east of Ridgeland), Tinley Park, IL.
Show Hours
Saturday, 9am-5pm
Sunday, 9am-5pm
Admission
Adults: $7
Seniors: $6
Youth ages 6-13: $5
Kids: 6 & under FREE!
For more information: Visit the Midwest Outdoors website
Orvis Yorktown Offers Free Fly Fishing Classes
Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (see Orvis website calendar)
Fly Fishing 101
Learn fly-fishing basics in one of Orvis Yorktown’s free Fly Fishing 101 classes. Perfect for beginners of all ages, the Fly Fishing 101 course includes free lessons on fly casting and outfit rigging.
Fly Fishing 201
If you’ve already completed Fly Fishing 101, you’e ready for the next step. Join us for a short outing on local water and a chance to catch your first fish! A nominal fee for the outing may apply.
A free Trout Unlimited Membership—a $35 value—is included for all FF101 and FF201 graduates. Upon completion of the course, you will receive special in-store offers, valid for the purchase of Orvis products.
Free Orvis 101 and 201 fly fishing introductory classes are typically offered in the Spring & Summer months.
View the Orvis Yorktown website event calendar for upcoming dates and to sign up on their website. Participants must register online. Contact the store directly for any questions.
Location: Orvis Yorktown, 306 Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: 630-932-6573
Email: retail-yorktownstr042@orvis.com