Mike Iaconelli, Bass University, 'Aspirin Buster' featured at Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo

Niagara's largest outdoor show of 2014 to be held at The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls

Get hooked on Niagara's largest outdoor show of 2014. The Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo, to be held inside The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls (101 Old Falls St.) Jan. 24-26, includes more than 100 outdoor vendors. It features The Bass University's premier educational programming and presentations by Mike Iaconelli among others. Also featured is expert archer Frank "The Aspirin Buster" Addington Jr., as well as other unique highlights throughout the weekend.

"This brand-new expo is planned as one of four outdoor expos produced by Global Spectrum, the company that manages The Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls, throughout the country," said Ryan Coate, CCNF general manager. "We are working with local, regional and national sportsmen from both sides of the border to present this expo for our entire Niagara region - one of the most diverse freshwater fisheries and natural wildlife habitats in the world."

For 2014, Bass University is creating an all-new lineup of speakers and the latest topics to focus on the geographical location of each class with emphasis on patterns and techniques that are winning on the professional tournament trails. Bass University's instructors include many of the greatest professional anglers in the world. Students are offered unparalleled access to championship information and strategies. Each day there is a hands-on breakout session with the pros as well as a Q-and-A roundtable discussion - both of which are designed to provide the most information to Bass University students.

Saturday's Bass University instructors include the following (subject to change):

•Mike Iaconelli - Co-founder of Bass University, Iaconelli is one of the most successful and dynamic pros in the business. He has won the Bassmaster's Classic and the Angler of the Year. He is pure energy on the water and gives exciting and informative seminars that should not be missed.

•Bernie Schultz

•John Murray

Sunday's Bass University instructors include the following (subject to change):

•Pete Gluszek - Co-founder of Bass University, Gluszek has been competing on the highest professional levels for more than 10 years. He has qualified for the Bassmaster Classic three times and the FLW Outdoors Championship. Gluszek won the Bassmaster Northern Open on Cayuga Lake in 2012 and he currently has the record for the heaviest winning margin in the history of the FLW Stren Series, finishing almost 18 pounds in front of second place. He is a river specialist and has won on both the Bassmaster and FLW Outdoors tournament trails. Gluszek is recognized as one of the most informative and entertaining seminar speakers in the business.

•Chris Zaldain

•Ott DeFoe

Bass University classes are in addition to the expo ticket price. For more information or to register for Bass University at the Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo, visit www.thebassuniversity.com. The above-mentioned speakers will also be on hand throughout the weekend to make presentations to the general audience. Schedule to be announced.

Another featured presenter is Frank "The Aspirin Buster" Addington Jr. The instinctive archer has been shooting a bow and arrow since the age of 4, and on stage since he was 18 performing what some in the media have dubbed "an amazing array of bow and arrow razzle dazzle."

Addington's exhibitions feature several one-of-a-kind shots, which hit aerial targets as small as baby aspirin shot from mid air from behind his back (earning him his nickname).

Addington is believed to be the first archer in the world to hit a baby aspirin from mid-air from behind his back. In 2007, he hit three flying baby aspirin with three arrows, and he can also hit a flying mustard seed from mid air. His latest shot is an 81 mg tablet from mid air - with his bow behind his back. This tablet is about one-third the size of a baby aspirin.

"Accuracy with a bow is pretty simple when you shoot instinctively," Addington said. "It's all about target acquisition: seeing the target, drawing the bow and then firing. I illustrate it with my unique style of holding my bow behind the back."

For more information, visit www.frankaddingtonjr.com.

The expo is also partnering with the Lake Ontario Trout & Salmon Association to present the free "Learn to Fish Lake Ontario" and "Kids Learn to Fish" classes. "Salmon School" will be held Saturday with instructors Dan Keating, a 30-year charter captain, tournament angler and author, as well as Dave Mull, award-winning journalist, photographer and contributor to Great Lakes Angler Magazine. Another highlight, the ever popular LOTSA Marketplace, with more than 50 vendors, will be featured Sunday. Admission to the LOTSA Marketplace is free to anyone attending the Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo. For more information, visit www.LOTSA.org.

"Our annual LOTSA Marketplace is changing dates and location to join up with the Greater Niagara Fishing & Outdoor Expo to create a larger, more robust show," said Joe Yeager, LOTSA spokesperson. "The LOTSA Marketplace is targeted at trout, salmon and walleye fishermen and features various gear for sale at bargain prices."

Other expo features include "The Man Cave," filled with leisure sporting activities; children's workshops; live trout; cooking demonstrations; giveaways; and special guests still to be named.

Expo show times are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets will be available at the door for $8 per person.

Vending opportunities are available by contacting Chris at 716-278-2123 or [email protected]. Additional information can be found at www.niagarafishingexpo.com or at www.facebook.com/niagarafishingexpo.