2018 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees this year.
Book Author J. Michael Kelly
  
In 1971, J. Michael Kelly wrote a 2,500-word article for Outdoors Life. It was part of a class assignment during his senior year at Syracuse University and was titled "Otisco Lake Grab Bag." It netted him a check for $400, which was a princely sum in those days. More importantly, the story started the long-term revival of a popular fishing hole in the Finger Lakes region of New York and would be the first of more than 2,000 features Kelly sold to magazines over the next 40 years. From 1971 through 2007, Kelly worked as a reporter and columnist for the Syracuse Post-Standard, and for the last 16 years with the paper, he wrote exclusively about the outdoors. Kelly's first book, published in 2009, was titled "Farewell, Old Girl, and Other Stories of the Great Outdoors." The covers story of that book, about the life and death of his devoted English Springer Spaniel, Harley, promoted more than 200 teary-eyed dog owners to contact him via letters, post cards, telephone calls, emails and, in a few instances, by waiting in the newspaper lobby to shake his hand. Kelly has gone on to write three more books; FISHING THE FINTER LAKES / TROUT STREAMS OF CENTRAL NEW YORK / TROUT STREAMS OF WESTERN NEW YORK. Kelly will be on hand at our event greeting readers and signing copies of all three books, which will available for sale.
New York Outdoor News Editor Steve Piatt
  
Steve Piatt has served as editor of New York Outdoor News since the publication was launched in the fall of 2004, and has been a newspaper reporter and editor for nearly 40 years. He's an avid outdoorsman who has hunted and fished across North America. He loves spring gobbler hunting (and has taken the grand slam); deer hunting with bow or rifle; fly fishing the Adirondacks and Catskills as well as backcountry brook trout streams; and hunting pheasants with his Labrador retrievers. During his newspaper career he has won numerous awards for sports and outdoor columns, investigative reporting, news reporting and has also received several honors from the New York State Outdoor Writers Association for his work. He is also the recipient of the Bass Pro Shops Pass It On award for his efforts in involving youth in hunting and fishing; the Professional Communications Award from the New York State Chapter of Trout Unlimited; the Conservation Communicator Award from the New York State Conservation Council; and the New York State Outdoorsman Hall of Fame's media award. He's a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Trout Unlimited and National Rifle Association, and works alongside his wife, Paula, who serves as associate editor for New York Outdoor News. Piatt will be on hand at this year's event at the New York Outdoor News Booth greeting readers and talking about the Outdoors.
Northern Sasquatch Research Society & Brian Gosselin,Whitehall NY Police Officer who had 1976 Sasquatch/Bigfoot Encounter
 
Nothing evokes one's imagination and fear of the North Country like the legend of Sasquatch (aka Bigfoot). The first known Adirondack sightings (according to legend & lore) were by members of the First Iroquois Nation who inhabited the Northeast. The first documented sighting took place during the exploration of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes of U.S. & Canada by French Explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600's. Since then, over 200 sightings are on record, including one of the more known Adirondack sightings that took place in 1976. On August 25, 1976 Whitehall NY Police Officer Brian Gosselin had an encounter with a "Sasquatch-like creature" in a grassy field on Abair Road, just outside of Whitehall NY. Since then, the encounter has become quite well known in the Bigfoot community and Gosselin has shared his story with numerous radio stations, publications, newspapers, and magazines around the world. He has also been featured on documentaries including one produced by Jimmy Wilson of White Wolf Productions, one for Outdoor Life Network, and more recently on the television show "Monster Quest". Shortly after his encounter in 1976, Gosselin struck up a friendship with Bill Brann. The sighting captured Brann's attention and he has been involved with researching the creature ever since. Through such research, the "Northern Sasquatch Research Society" was formed. Members of this society have traveled the country to investigate evidence related to Sasquatch sightings, while focusing extensively on researching reported sightings in the Adirondacks & Vermont. Gosselin recently published his first book on the sighting called "Abair Road & Beyond". It will be on sale for the very first time at our event. Gosselin and other members of the Northern Sasquatch Research Society will be on hand for both days of our event selling his book and answering questions about the 1976 sightings and others that have taken place in the Adirondacks.
Author Robert Elinskas returns with his newest book
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Robert Elinskas, a North Brookfield native and Utica resident who has spent close to half a century hunting the Adirondacks, has told a lot of great tales in his books; A DEER HUNTERS HISTORY BOOK / HUNTING CENTRAL NY WHITETAILS & OTHER WILD ADVENTURES; THE OLD DAYS IN THE ADIRONDACK & ON TUG HILL / ADIRONDACK CAMPS AND HUNTS / ADIRONDACK HUNTERS AND TRAPPERS / IN THE WOODS WITH ADIRONDACK SPORTSMEN / A TASTE OF WILD ALASKA. He recently released an 8th book titled "IN CAMP WITH ADIRONDACK HUNTERS." This book puts you in the woods with some of the Adirondacks most successful hunters, while chronicling the histories on remote camps, including a cave camp near Blue Mountain Lake, hunting along the Adirondack Railroad in the Lake Lila area, Black Creek, West Canada Creek and the Jerseyfield area. Elinskas will be on hand at our event greeting readers and signing copies of all eight books, which will available for sale.
Dr. Richard "Doc" Maretzo - Fulton County Sports HOF Inductions
 
Story #23 Dr. Richard Maretzo Shooting World Record set at PTRC
By Mike Hauser for the Leader-Herald
In 1940, when Peter Dubuc landed a 46lb. 2oz. / 52.5" long Northern Pike near Benedict Bay on the Broadalbin side of the Great Sacandaga Lake, Fulton County became best known in sporting circles world-wide for having produced the largest Pike ever caught on the entire globe. That "World Record" would hold up until the mid-1980's when a larger Pike was caught in Germany. Today, Dubuc's Fulton County Pike is still a United States Record.
Around this same time, another new "World Record" would come out of Fulton County at the September 10, 1983 IBS National Shoot at the Pine Tree Rifle Club in Johnstown. International Benchrest Shooting (IBS) is the highest test of accuracy and precision in shooting sports where the object is to place 5 to 10 shots through the same hole on a target within a fixed time limit from a very long distance. IBS National competitions originated at the Johnstown Club in 1947 when Harvey Donaldson and the original members of the club held the very first National Shoot. Since the sport was in its infancy, many records would be set and broken (leap frogged over) as the sport of Benchrest Shooting progressed from the 1940's through the 1960's. By the 1970's, the records were established and very hard to match.
Fulton County's next big Sporting World Record came during the Pine Tree Rifle Club's 1983 IBS Group Competition when club member Dr. Richard Maretzo fired 10 shots from a distance of 100 yards and placed all 10 shots into a group that measured .119 of an inch in extreme spread (the size of a dime). According to Pine Tree Rifle Club Historian John DelSavio "this record truly raised the bar and still remains unbeaten through 70 years of competitions". Maretzo was using a rifle that was built by Seeley Masker and fired a 6MM PPC cartridge.
Maretzo grew up in Brooklyn New York, where he did not hunt. However, on family vacations each summer in the Catskills, his Father would bring along his .22 caliber pistol and allowed him the opportunity to fire it. When Maretzo joined the US Army in the mid-1950's his interest in shooting his father's pistol as a young boy led to him participating on the Army's competitive shooting team using a standard Army issued .45 Colt 1911 pistol.
In 1973, his family built a camp on Peck's Lake where they spent their summers. According to Maretzo "on days when the wind was just right, I could hear shooting off in the distance, but I did not know where the shots were coming from. One day I followed the sound of the shots down to town and ended up in front of the Pine Tree Rifle Club and went in and checked it out. I joined the club in 1975 and enjoyed precision target shooting and improving the accuracy of my firearms. In 1978 I had a customized .308 built for me by the Shilen Company, which was thought to be one of the better caliber precision shooting guns at the time. I was shooting at the club one afternoon and I heard a voice come up behind me asking if I would be interested in competitive shooting. The man behind the voice was club member Bob Bump. I told him that I had no knowledge of how to go about competing and simply enjoyed improving the accuracy of my firearms for myself. Bob immediately took me under his wing and taught me how to take my shooting to the next level in competition. We became very close friends and traveled from competition to competition across the Northeast every weekend beginning in 1979."
Bump's tutelage and all those competitions allowed Maretzo to hone his skills and become a very proficient long-distance shooter. Less than five years later, Maretzo would end up setting three World Records in 1983 competitions. Over his entire shooting career, he would set a total of six World Records, of which three are still active, and won the International Championships in 1983, 1984 and 1985. He also served as the president of Precision Shooting Magazine for many years and was inducted into the Benchrest Hall of Fame in 1989.
The "Old #7 Benchrest" that he sat at to establish the 1983 World Record in Johnstown is enshrined/on display in the entrance area of the Pine Tree Rifle Club, with a plaque that notes the club's benchrest history, and Dr. Maretzo's World Record shot there. According to Maretzo "I had no idea in 1983 when I set the record as to how important it would become to the club. The attention and recognition I have received from it makes me very happy."
Today at age 83, Dr. Maretzo runs a dental practice in Suffern New York (2 1/2 days per week) and is still an active member of the Pine Tree Rifle Club where he shoots in all IBS competitions held at the club. Maretzo will be honored with induction into the Fulton County Baseball & Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday February 10th at the Johnstown Moose Club during the 13th Annual Adirondack Outdoorsman Show. The induction ceremony will take place on the main show floor near the Pine Tree Rifle Club booth at 3pm. Maretzo himself will be in attendance to receive his HOF plaque, along with officers of the Pine Tree Rifle Club. For more information on the induction and event, visit www.adkshow.com .
Mike Hauser is the founder of the Fulton County Baseball & Sports Hall of Fame in Gloversville.
If you have story ideas, old articles/photos or would like to nominate someone for the HOF, he can be reached through the organizations website at www.fchof.com , email; [email protected] or call 518-725-5565.
 
2017 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees this year.
The Adirondack Deer Trackers
  
 
The ADK Trackers are a core group of hunters and friends from the Central New York area who have a combined 170 years of Adirondack hunting experience between them. The group doesn’t have an official leader, but is formed around Adirondack Legend Jim Massett. Several years ago, Dave Williams and Steve Grabowski were talking about how important it was to get some of Jim’s hunting stories documented. Knowing that Jim still enjoyed his outdoor activities too much to give enough time up to write a book on his own, it was decided that a book with several authors might be the way to go. Well known deer tracker and friend Joe DiNitto was brought onboard to round out the crew and the three men approached Jim about the project – and Jim happily agreed. It was also decided that the books stories would give the reader the feeling that they were in deer camp listening to the author tell the story. Three years after the original meeting, a new book called “The Adirondack Deer Trackers: Stories As Told In Deer Camp” became a reality. All four members of this group will be the show signing copies of their new book and answering questions about Adirondack Deer Hunting.
Spider Rybaak
   
Our second featured guest is writer/photographer and Fishing Author Spider Rybaak. Rybaak, who returns with his newest book “Fishing the Adirondacks”. Rybaak was born in a refugee camp in Germany shortly after World War II, to Ukrainians enslaved by the Nazis during the conflict. Since coming to America, Spider has spent the last 25 years in Canastota NY and has been a freelance writer/photographer and has published thousands of stories and photos in magazines ranging from “Outdoor Life,” “In Fisherman,” “Great Lakes Angler,” “Salmon, Trout, Steelhead” and the “American Legion Magazine,” as well as the newspaper “Syracuse New Times”. Spider has previously authored four books: "Fishing The Great Lakes of New York”, "Fishing Oneida Lake", "Fishing Eastern New York" and "Fishing Western New York. Spider also writes a blog for Oswego County Tourism (fishingandhuntinginoswego.blogspot.com). Spider will be on hand at the show signing copies of all five of his books and answering questions about fishing all of New York State.
Adirondack Outdoors Editor Leo Maloney
 
 
Leo Maloney has been an outdoor writer for over 40 years and is past president of the NYS Outdoor Writers’ Association and an inductee in the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame. He is currently the editor of Adirondack Outdoors magazine and a former staff writer for the New York Sportsman. Leo will be at our show distributing complimentary copies of his Adirondack Outdoors magazine and discussing topics on hunting & fishing in New York State.
Pine Tree Rifle Club 80th Anniversary Exhibit
& HOF Inductions
 
The Pine Tree Rifle Club formed in Johnstown NY (just a few miles from the show) in 1937. Ten years later they held the first modern Bench Rest Rifle Competition. This initial competition in 1947 has since blossomed into the sport becoming established internationally. Board members of this historic organization will be at our event with a special “80th Anniversary of the Pine Tree Rifle Club Exhibit”. In addition, club historian John DelSavio will be on hand signing copies of his book “Pine Tree Rifle Club – A Pictorial History 1937-2014”. To honor the organization for its role in the international sport of Bench Shooting, they will be inducted into the Fulton County Baseball & Sports HOF in the “Andy Fusco Contributors Division” during the event. Inductions will take place on the show floor at 3pm on Day #1 of the event (Saturday February 11th).
2016 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees this year.
 
Deer Steward I, II, & III & Deer Hunting Author
Randy Gilbert Returns with his newest book
Dr. Randall L. Gilbert initially spent four (4) years (ages 12-15) accompanying his father on “Opening Day” in his native New York State’s “Southern Tier.” He harvested his first buck at the age of 16, which has led to a lifetime of fascination with and pursuit of that magnificent animal – the white-tailed deer. Dr. Gilbert spent the next forty (40) productive years of his adult life; initially as an acclaimed social studies teacher, and then as a highly respected public school administrator. He earned his doctorate in Educational Administration and eventually retired from public school employment in 2002.
Well known in the realm of experienced whitetail hunters in the Northeast and in the publishing world as “The Buckhunter,” Dr. Gilbert spent those very same forty (40) years researching, artistically drawing and painting; not to mention his annually successful “harvesting” of the white-tailed deer. He invested thousands of hours of writing about, performing observations on (via in-the-field research), reading about and holding numerous discussions with eminent whitetail experts, etc., in his unbounded quest for knowledge and understanding.
Those extraordinary and dedicated efforts led to his three (3) previous publications:
a) The A-Z Guide to White-tailed Deer and Deer Hunting,
b) Whitetail Woods: A Deer Hunter’s Quest,
c) The Definitive White-tailed Deer Book, and
d) WHITETAIL PHD: The Pursuit of Hunting Deer
all of which focus on the object of his obsession – the white-tailed deer. It has often been said that “The closing of one door leads to the opening of another!” In Dr. Gilbert’s case, he segued (transitioned) very easily from public school administrator and deer enthusiast, into an author, a legitimate whitetail expert, and now publisher of white-tailed deer books.
He respectfully earned the title of “The Buckhunter” in 2007! Currently, Dr. Gilbert is keeping extremely busy by making arrangements for the recording on cassette and CD of his second (#2) book: Whitetail Woods: A Deer Hunter’s Quest. That book is an “instructional novel” which is meant to enlighten the novice, as well as the more proficient deer hunter, about what really happens in the life of the white-tailed deer; not the “Disneyfication” or “Bambi” version. “The Buckhunter’s” fifth book:” The Buckhunter’s” Coffee Table/Foot Stool Deer Camp Book is currently complete and awaiting publication.
This contribution to the literature is in a “Big Book” format (11”x 14”). It is a compilation of twenty-six (26) jokes, twenty-six (26) cartoons, twenty-six (26) crossword puzzles (each is re-usable), twenty-six (26) favorite deer camp recipes, and even twenty-six (26) quick tips on the whitetail. It is meant to just lay around the deer camp, be picked up, opened to any page, and be enjoyed for the moment-at-hand!
“The Buckhunter” earned New York State recognition as a NYS Deer Expert (Deer Steward II) this past Summer. He has since attained national recognition as a “United States White-tailed Deer Expert” upon his achieving/accomplishing the Deer Steward III standard, acknowledged as the highest rank QDMA awards.
Gilbert will have copies of all his publications available for sale at the show.
Spider Rybaak
Spikder Rybaak is a fishing author who was born in a refugee camp in Germany shortly after World War II, to Ukrainians enslaved by the Nazis during the conflict. Since coming to America, Spider has spent the last 25 years in Canastota NY and has been a freelance writer/photographer and has published thousands of stories and photos in magazines ranging from “Outdoor Life,” “In Fisherman,” “Great Lakes Angler,” “Salmon, Trout, Steelhead” and the “American Legion Magazine,” as well as the newspaper “Syracuse New Times.”
Spider has authored four books: "Fishing The Great Lakes of New York," "Fishing Oneida Lake," "Fishing Eastern New York" and "Fishing Western New York". His fifth book, "Fishing the Adirondacks", is scheduled for release later this year. Spider also writes a blog for Oswego County Tourism (fishingandhutinginoswego.blogspot.com). He will have copies of all his publications for sale.
 
Dick Nelson
Amsterdam Recorder outdoor columnist Dick Nelson has been writing an outdoor column for more than 45 years. He is a member and past president of the New York State Outdoor Writers Association; member and past president of the New York Metropolitan Outdoor Press Association and a forty plus year member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.
A staunch support of the hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting sports, Dick is viewed as one of the most respected outdoor journalists in the state and is second to none when it comes to addressing issues pertaining to those sports with a reputation of “telling it like it is” regardless of who or what his articles are about. He will be on hand at this year’s event greeting his readers and answering questions.
2015 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees this year.
  
Adirondack Legend
Don Williams
returns with his newest book
Don Williams is an Adirondacker. He was born and raised in the Adirondacks and has never lived or worked more than five miles from the Adirondacks. Growing up at the ingress of the Northville-Placid Trial provided ample opportunity for him to experience the Adirondacks, its people, its history and folklore. Don has authored ten books of Adirondack and local history: THE SAGE OF NICHOLAS STONER, NICHOLAS STONER AND THE SAMMONS BOYS, OLIVER H. WHITMAN-ADIRONDACK GUIDE, INSIDE THE ADIRONDACK BLUELINE, THE ADIRONDACKS 1830-1930, THE ADIRONDACKS 1931-1990, ALONG THE ADIRONDACK TRAIL, ADIRONDACK INNS & HOTELS, and his newest book; ADIRONDACK PEOPLE AND PLACES. In ADIRONDACK PEOPLE AND PLACES, he chronicles the history of the Adirondacks once it was discovered by those that were interested in the out-of-doors and it became a destination for the people.
Williams has also written over 250 articles for magazines including Adirondack Life and the Journal of Outdoor Education. He served as Adirondack regional editor for New York Sportsman Magazine for twenty years. His Inside the Blueline newspaper column has appeared weekly in four newspapers since 1989. He also hosted an Inside the Blueline TV show in Gloversville and Glens Falls for a total of six years. Don has appeared regularly as an Adirondack lecturer and storyteller at schools and organizations throughout the northeast for over thirty five years. A former school principal and Adirondack Guide, he has taught “The Adirondacks” at grade schools, libraries, high schools, colleges and Elder-hostel. Don lives in Gloversville with his wife Beverly in their “replicated Great Adirondack Camp.” Williams will be on hand for both days of the event signing copies his works that he will have available for sale. Come meet this “living Adirondack Legend” and get one of his books personalized to you.
  
Back By Popular Demand - the Salerno Brothers
New York States First Family of Deer Hunting
Pat and Tony Salerno (with special appearance by Pat Salerno Sr.)
When people talk about the Adirondack Mountains and Deer Hunting one name becomes obvious -The Salerno Brothers. Pat and Tony Salerno have been hunting the rugged Adirondack Mountains since knee-high to their dad Pat Salerno Sr. who taught them the art of still hunting, an art they call their own due to the tremendous success they have achieved by taking some of the biggest bucks of the Adirondacks. North American Whitetail Magazine had this to say about the brothers, “years of experience have placed the brothers among the premier trackers in the Adirondacks and it’s because no two hunters will make the effort and sacrifice to hunt the way they do.” Look for the brothers on PBS Television and Fox 44’s outdoor hunting show “The Outfitter”.
Maybe one of the Adirondacks' best kept secrets, the Salerno family, has been taking big bucks from the Adirondack Mountains since the late 1940's. Each Salerno has successfully taken a buck weighing more than 200 pounds and some as much as 232 pounds dressed! The consistent harvesting of large bucks has always been a tradition for this Adirondack family.
Some of the Salerno hunting skills and tactics have been featured in the Northeast Big Buck Club and New York Game and Fish Magazine. The latter publication referred to them in the July 2005 issue as “New York State's First Family of Deer Hunting" – a title they modestly accept despite their incredible feats. When the Salernos are asked how they achieve such success, the answer is always the same, "It's the old fashion way, we earn it." The consistent harvesting of large bucks has always been a tradition for this Adirondack family.
To learn more about this dynamic Deer Hunting Family, go to www.salernobrothers.com
Deer Steward I, II, & III & Deer Hunting Author
Randy Gilbert Returns with his newest book
Dr. Randall L. Gilbert initially spent four (4) years (ages 12-15) accompanying his father on “Opening Day” in his native New York State’s “Southern Tier.” He harvested his first buck at the age of 16, which has led to a lifetime of fascination with and pursuit of that magnificent animal – the white-tailed deer. Dr. Gilbert spent the next forty (40) productive years of his adult life; initially as an acclaimed social studies teacher, and then as a highly respected public school administrator. He earned his doctorate in Educational Administration and eventually retired from public school employment in 2002.
Well known in the realm of experienced whitetail hunters in the Northeast and in the publishing world as “The Buckhunter,” Dr. Gilbert spent those very same forty (40) years researching, artistically drawing and painting; not to mention his annually successful “harvesting” of the white-tailed deer. He invested thousands of hours of writing about, performing observations on (via in-the-field research), reading about and holding numerous discussions with eminent whitetail experts, etc., in his unbounded quest for knowledge and understanding.
Those extraordinary and dedicated efforts led to his three (3) previous publications:
a) The A-Z Guide to White-tailed Deer and Deer Hunting,
b) Whitetail Woods: A Deer Hunter’s Quest,
c) The Definitive White-tailed Deer Book, and
d) WHITETAIL PHD: The Pursuit of Hunting Deer
all of which focus on the object of his obsession – the white-tailed deer. It has often been said that “The closing of one door leads to the opening of another!” In Dr. Gilbert’s case, he segued (transitioned) very easily from public school administrator and deer enthusiast, into an author, a legitimate whitetail expert, and now publisher of white-tailed deer books.
He respectfully earned the title of “The Buckhunter” in 2007! Currently, Dr. Gilbert is keeping extremely busy by making arrangements for the recording on cassette and CD of his second (#2) book: Whitetail Woods: A Deer Hunter’s Quest. That book is an “instructional novel” which is meant to enlighten the novice, as well as the more proficient deer hunter, about what really happens in the life of the white-tailed deer; not the “Disneyfication” or “Bambi” version. “The Buckhunter’s” fifth book:” The Buckhunter’s” Coffee Table/Foot Stool Deer Camp Book is currently complete and awaiting publication.
This contribution to the literature is in a “Big Book” format (11”x 14”). It is a compilation of twenty-six (26) jokes, twenty-six (26) cartoons, twenty-six (26) crossword puzzles (each is re-usable), twenty-six (26) favorite deer camp recipes, and even twenty-six (26) quick tips on the whitetail. It is meant to just lay around the deer camp, be picked up, opened to any page, and be enjoyed for the moment-at-hand!
“The Buckhunter” earned New York State recognition as a NYS Deer Expert (Deer Steward II) this past Summer. He has since attained national recognition as a “United States White-tailed Deer Expert” upon his achieving/accomplishing the Deer Steward III standard, acknowledged as the highest rank QDMA awards.
Gilbert will have copies of all his publications available for sale at the show.
  
The Peter Dubuc Record Northern Pike Display – HOF Induction (Saturday 2pm)
On September 15, 1940 , long-time Great Sacandaga Lake angler Peter Dubuc caught what was at that time, the largest ever recorded Northern Pike caught in the world. The fish weighed 46 pounds two ounces, was 52.5 inches long and had a girth of 25 inches. He caught the fish trolling a 6” long, wooden, flap tail plug lure with 2 treble hooks on a 12lb test line with a 48” bronze leader along a quiet bay on the Sacandaga. At the time, it was recognized as the World Record! Since then, a larger fish has been caught in Germany. Regardless, the Sacandaga Beast is still recognized as the North American Record. ( insert your visitsacandaga Pike story here as well).
Dubuc passed away in 1970 at the age of 80. To honor her Father, his Daughter Gail Freeman (and his Grand Children) will be attending our event all weekend with a special display called “The Peter Dubuc Exhibit”. The display features the lure he caught the record fish on, as well as his personal fishing scrapbooks, photos and memorabilia. The New York Outdoor News will also have a replica mount of the record fish on display (get your photo taken with it)!
Dubuc will be forever immortalized as he is inducted posthumously into the Fulton County Sports Hall of Fame during the event (insert a link to Dubucs HOF Biography-Ill send later). Dubuc’s HOF Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday at 2pm in the “Main Show Hall”. Dubuc’s family will be presented with his HOF Plaque, while duplicate plaques will go to the Fulton County Museum in Gloversville NY and also to the Wildlife Sports Museum in Vail Mills NY. “The Peter Dubuc Exhibit” will run for both full days of the event. Fund raising efforts will also be taking place during the event to raise funds to erect a Fulton County Sports Historical Road Marker on the Sacandaga Lake to memorialize the record catch having taken place on that body of water. A dedication ceremony will take place erect the historical marker on/near September 15, 2015 to celebrate the “75th Anniversary” of the historic catch.
   
Times Union Columnist Rob Streeter Returns with his new Fly Fishing DVD
Upstate New York resident Rob Streeter is an avid outdoor writer and author of numerous newspaper and magazine articles. As a life-long hunter, Rob has written about his adventures in a number of national publications. He especially enjoys hunting big game with the bow, but also spends time afield with the muzzleloader and rifle. Rob is currently the outdoor columnist for the Albany Times Union newspaper. He has also written two books on fly-fishing, including his latest, “Warmwater Fly-Fishing, finding and catching warmwater species.” Streeter just released his first DVD on fly-fishing titled, “Tying and Fishing for Smallmouth Bass” and will be unveiling it at our event. Copies of both his Books & DVD will be available at the event.
2014 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees this year.
  
William J. O'Hern – Author of 9 Adirondack Books!
William J. "Jay" O'Hern lives in rural Camden, NY, where he worked as an elementary school teacher for 35 years before retiring. He and his wife, Bette, raised 5 children and now enjoy their many grandchildren. Jay is a graduate of the State Universities of New York at Auburn and at Oswego and did graduate work at both Oswego and the College of St. Rose in Albany.
Jay has also worked in the lumber, paper, chemical, and metal fabricating industries. Carpentry, handicrafts, gardening, kayaking, backpacking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and writing are his hobbies. Jay became a 46er in the 1980s and has been a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club since 1969. He lectured for Adirondack Discovery for 17 years, for Sagamore Lodge in Raquette Lake for 7 years and occasionally for the Adirondack Wilderness Days
Some of Jay’s books that he will have on hand at the event will include;
Adirondack Wilderness Days
Noah John Rondeau’s Adirondack Wilderness Days
Why did Noah create his code? What secrets does it contain?
Learn the answers in Noah John Rondeau’s Adirondack Wilderness Days.
Life With Noah
The stories and adventures of Richard Smith with Noah John Rondeau Adirondack hermit.
Life in a North Woods Lumber Camp
A picturesque story of logging and lumbering activities,
lumberjacks, and family life.
Adirondack Kaleidoscope and North Country Characters
An incredible anthology of Adirondack history and folklore.
Dozens of fascinating stories.
Adirondack Characters & Campfire YarnsAdirondack Characters and Campfire Yarns
The who, what and where of Adirondack pioneer life including Guides,
trappers and hermits and how they made their livings.
Adirondack Adventures: Bob Gillespie and Harvey Dunham on French Louie’s Trail
The early adventures of Harvey Dunham to the writing of Adirondack French Louie.
Under An Adirondack Influence:
The Life of A. L. Byron-Curtiss, 1871--1959
The life and stories of the Adirondack minister and outdoorsman A. L. Byron-Curtiss author of The Life and Adventures of Nat Foster Trapper and Hunter of the Adirondacks
Stories of the Black River Country
Adirondack Stories of the Black River Country
A glimpse into life a century ago in the southwestern Adirondacks.
Anyplace Wild in the Adirondacks
20 historic tear-out postcards from rare old photographs.
 
Meet Nancy Best - ADK Cookbook Author
Learning to Cook Adirondack, is a collection of recipes and memories. The book includes 48 recipes and many historic photos. Best comes from a long line of Adirondack folk. Her great grandfather, David Charbonneau, was one of the first settlers of Old Forge. Her grandfather and grandmother, Cliff and Edith Charbonneau, lived in Old Forge almost all of their lives. Her parents, Betty and Bill Pulling, were brought up in Old Forge and raised their family in Thendara.
Best was born in the area as were her children and her first grandchild. “I have lived all over the country, in both big cities and back woods. But no matter where I’ve been, at some point, at a dinner party or church fellowship someone asks what nationality I am. I’ve always said that I am American. My mom, dad, all four grandparents and the bulk of my great grandparents were all from this country.
According to Best “in the second 50 years of my life I have decided that I am more than American, which I am through and through, I am mostly Adirondack”. Pick up a copy of Learning to Cook Adirondack or Learning to Cook Adirondack; Over An Open Fire, and see how her Adirondack friends and family have helped make her life a feast. “For me it’s not just the smell or taste of the food, it’s the way it looks on the plate, the people at the table and of course the origin of the recipe,” Best said.
To learn more about Nancy, visit www.nancydidit.com
Meet the Salerno Brothers - New York States First Family of Deer Hunting
Pat and Tony Salerno (with special appearance by Pat Salerno Sr.)
When people talk about the Adirondack Mountains and Deer Hunting one name becomes obvious -The Salerno Brothers. Pat and Tony Salerno have been hunting the rugged Adirondack Mountains since knee-high to their dad Pat Salerno Sr. who taught them the art of still hunting, an art they call their own due to the tremendous success they have achieved by taking some of the biggest bucks of the Adirondacks. North American Whitetail Magazine had this to say about the brothers, “years of experience have placed the brothers among the premier trackers in the Adirondacks and it’s because no two hunters will make the effort and sacrifice to hunt the way they do.” Look for the brothers on PBS Television and Fox 44’s outdoor hunting show “The Outfitter”.
Maybe one of the Adirondacks' best kept secrets, the Salerno family, has been taking big bucks from the Adirondack Mountains since the late 1940's. Each Salerno has successfully taken a buck weighing more than 200 pounds and some as much as 232 pounds dressed! The consistent harvesting of large bucks has always been a tradition for this Adirondack family.
Some of the Salerno hunting skills and tactics have been featured in the Northeast Big Buck Club and New York Game and Fish Magazine. The latter publication referred to them in the July 2005 issue as “New York State's First Family of Deer Hunting" – a title they modestly accept despite their incredible feats. When the Salernos are asked how they achieve such success, the answer is always the same, "It's the old fashion way, we earn it." The consistent harvesting of large bucks has always been a tradition for this Adirondack family.
To learn more about this dynamic Deer Hunting Family, go to www.salernobrothers.com
2013 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees this year.
  
Donald Williams–Adirondack Guide/Lecturer/Storyteller & Author
Don Williams is an Adirondacker. He was born and raised in the Adirondacks and has never lived or worked more than five miles from the Adirondacks. Growing up at the ingress of the Northville-Placid Trial provided ample opportunity for him to experience the Adirondacks, its people, its history and folklore. Don has authored ten books of Adirondack and local history: THE SAGE OF NICHOLAS STONER, NICHOLAS STONER AND THE SAMMONS BOYS, OLIVER H. WHITMAN-ADIRONDACK GUIDE, INSIDE THE ADIRONDACK BLUELINE, THE ADIRONDACKS 1830-1930, THE ADIRONDACKS 1931-1990, ALONG THE ADIRONDACK TRAIL, ADIRONDACK INNS & HOTELS, and his newest book; ADIRONDACK PEOPLE AND PLACES. In ADIRONDACK PEOPLE AND PLACES, he chronicles the history of the Adirondacks once it was discovered by those that were interested in the out-of-doors and it became a destination for the people.
Williams has also written over 250 articles for magazines including Adirondack Life and the Journal of Outdoor Education. He served as Adirondack regional editor for New York Sportsman Magazine for twenty years. His Inside the Blueline newspaper column has appeared weekly in four newspapers since 1989. He also hosted an Inside the Blueline TV show in Gloversville and Glens Falls for a total of six years. Don has appeared regularly as an Adirondack lecturer and storyteller at schools and organizations throughout the northeast for over thirty five years. A former school principal and Adirondack Guide, he has taught “The Adirondacks” at grade schools, libraries, high schools, colleges and Elder-hostel. Don lives in Gloversville with his wife Beverly in their “replicated Great Adirondack Camp.” Williams will be on hand for both days of the event signing copies his works that he will have available for sale. Come meet this “living Adirondack Legend” and get one of his books personalized to you.
Northern Sasquatch Research Society & Brian Gosselin,
Whitehall NY Police Officer who had 1976 Sasquatch/Bigfoot Encounter
Nothing evokes one’s imagination and fear of the North Country like the legend of Sasquatch (aka Bigfoot). The first known Adirondack sightings (according to legend & lore) were by members of the First Iroquois Nation who inhabited the Northeast. The first documented sighting took place during the exploration of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes of U.S. & Canada by French Explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early 1600’s. Since then, over 200 sightings are on record, including one of the more known Adirondack sightings that took place in 1976. On August 25, 1976 Whitehall NY Police Officer Brian Gosselin had an encounter with a “Sasquatch-like creature” in a grassy field on Abair Road, just outside of Whitehall NY. Since then, the encounter has become quite well know in the Bigfoot community and Gosselin has shared his story with numerous radio stations, publications, newspapers, and magazines around the world. He has also been featured on documentaries including one produced by Jimmy Wilson of White Wolf Productions, one for Outdoor Life Network, and more recently on the television show “Monster Quest”. Shortly after his encounter in 1976, Gosselin struck up a friendship with Bill Brann. The sighting captured Brann’s attention and he has been involved with researching the creature ever since. Through such research, the “Northern Sasquatch Research Society” was formed. Members of this society have traveled the country to investigate evidence related to Sasquatch sightings, while focusing extensively on researching reported sightings in the Adirondacks & Vermont. Presently, there are two new documentaries of the Gosselin’s 1976 encounter in the works, including one being filmed by the Daily News in New York City. Gosselin and other members of the Northern Sasquatch Research Society will be on hand for both days of our event answering questions about the 1976 sightings and others that have taken place in the Adirondacks. Come see their pictures, casts and other items that show evidence of such a beast roaming the Adirondacks. To learn more about the group, go to www.northernbigfoot.net .
 
Chuck Booker
Holder of 58 Catch & Release Line Class World Records
Fishing Lake Ontario feeder streams near his home in West Amherst NY, this “catch & release expert” has amassed 58 Line Class World Records with the National Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward WI. What is even more impressive is that he does it with a $39 Cabelas Fly Rod and a $40 Reel. Oh yeah, he also does it all from shore. According to Booker, “I don’t own a boat and don’t want one”. He hooks, measures, photographs and then releases all his fish. Using his own specialized refined egg sack and fly patterns with colors that trigger bites, Booker brings in Trophy Brown Trout, Chinook and Cohoes in the Fall, and Trophy Rainbows/Steelheads in the Spring on the small streams and creeks on the Western New York “Greater Niagara Frontier”. Booker will also tell you that New York State has some of the best world-class fishing in the world and there is no greater experience than to do it using lightweight tackle!
Chuck will be hand at the show for both days and will gladly show you pictures of his record fish and give you pointers as to when, where and how to land a trophy of your own. He is always looking for new fishing partners & may even invite you to tag along on a future trip. To learn more about Chuck, go to his website at www.bigchinook1fishing.com .
  
Alice Wendell Peck
Adirondack Author
Alice Peck was born in Gloversville in 1916, and grew up in a neighborhood on the edge of town with open fields & woods. She and the other neighborhood children formed a club called the “Rinkydinks”. They participated in winter sledding, hiking, gathering wild flowers, Baseball, and learned to swim at the Littauer Swimming Pool. At the pool, some of the club members would became junior and senior lifeguards, and participated in swimming and diving demonstrations. To this day, Alice still enjoys exercising in her pool during the summer months. After graduating from High School and then Business School, Alice worked briefly at the Chamber of Commerce. At the time, the Chamber consisted of Mr. Stille (the director) and Alice (the secretary) and was located on the 3rd floor of the building that is now Key Bank on Main Street in Gloversville. Her salary was $16 per week. In 1935, Alice married Albert Peck and spent the next 77 years assisting in the resort business (Peck’s Lake), while raising a family and participating in many different interests & hobbies. They include painting, antique doll restoration, furniture refinishing, and collecting & selling antique postcards. During these years, Alice belonged to the former First Methodist Church, where she participated in Sunday School, the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees and the Women’s Society. In 1995, Alice decided to start a Peck’s Park Historical Society and to restore the Peck’s Lake School House. Luckily, the original desks, teachers desk, wall maps, books and many other articles pertaining to the school had been stored since the closing of the school in 1959. Through fundraising efforts consisting of selling shingles for the roof, hosting dinners and garage sales, her efforts netted $4,000. After two years of work, done mostly by volunteers, the museum was finished. Since the re-opening of the school house in 1997, it has been kept in operation with dues, donations and money generated by their annual Ice Cream Social. To further preserve the rich history & legacy of Peck’s Lake and the Peck Family, in 2012, at the age of 96, Alice published her first book titled “PECK’S LAKE IN THE ADIRONDACKS”. Having been part of the family for 77 years, Alice’s gives a firsthand account of the Peck Family’s longtime stewardship of three Adirondack Lakes that were combined into one in the early 1900’s. The book also includes many vintage color and black-and-white photographs of the lake from the Peck Families archives. Mrs. Peck will be on hand for both days of the event signing copies of her book that she will have available for sale. Come meet the newest Adirondack Author and find out what she has planned for her next book.
In addition to this year’s four “Featured Guests”, there will be many other Authors, Writers and unique Industry Experts on hand throughout the event. Several “past Featured Guests” will be on hand as well. Come meet and learn from the best!
Check our website the day before the event to see the Official Seminar Schedule. Seminar Schedules will also be handed out at the admission area the day(s) of the show.
2012 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great
tradition of bringing you the “Industry Experts”, we are once again
very proud of the “Featured Guests” who will
be on hand to meet/greet/interact with all of our attendees
this year.
   
Doug Moody - Creator of the “Bark Eater Bamboo Fly
Fishing Poles”, accomplished fly fishermen and freelance
musician.
Doug has been making Bamboo Fly Rods
for over 20 years. His life-long passion for Adirondack
small stream fishing
let him to create unique rods for local waters, and form “Bark
Eater Bamboo” in 2006. He also teaches Fly Rod Building
and repair classes at the Adirondack Folk School in Lake
Luzerne NY, and demonstrates cane rod building at the Adirondack
Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. When not pursuing his passion
for fly fishing, Doug works as a freelance musician, playing
violin and singing with many regional and international acts.
Doug will be on hand throughout the event showing how he
builds his Bamboo Poles through all the various stages of
production. Come watch first-hand all the processes involved
in making these classic pieces of working equipment and maybe
take one home for yourself.
   
Don Wharton – Adirondack Author
Don is no stranger to our event as he
was a “Featured
Guest” back at our very first Fall Edition Show in
September 2008. A native of Amsterdam, he graduated from
the College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse
and served with the Marine Corps in Vietnam. He then worked
in the forestry field in the Adirondacks and Oregon. Don
has previously written two books: “Adirondack Forest
and Stream: An Outdoorsmen’s Reader” and “Backwoods
Tales: Adirondack Reader II”. He now returns with his
newest book “Adirondack Sportsman’s Reader – Stories
of Adirondack Deer Hunting, Trout Fishing, Wildlife, Woodsmen
and Bush Pilots”. He has also written articles for
many magazines including NYS Conservationalist, Northern
Woodlands, Adirondack Life, American Forests, Outdoor Life
and Vietnam. He will be on hand the entire weekend selling & signing
copies of all three of his books.
“The Bone Man” Sy
Lloyd – Forensic
Bone Studies Display Creator
.
Known as “The Bone Man”, Sy will be showing off
his unique animal skeletons and forensic bone studies display.
He started his forensic bone studies at age 15, when he found
a dead Great Blue Heron near his home. He assembled the Heron
on a piece of plywood and gave it to his school science teacher
in Otego. The teacher had this Bird in his classroom from
1951 until he retired in the 1980’s, and his Daughter
now has it on display in her home. After High School, Sy
went into the Army and upon discharge, attended college in
Oneonta. While at Oneonta, he worked with college professors
on their forensic bone research and restarted his work articulating
skeletons. After College, Sy embarked on a 28 year career
as a High School Teacher in Greenlawn NY (Long Island), where
he taught Biology, Earth Science and General Science. Animal
carcasses, and Beetles used to clean the carcasses/skeletons
were always in his classroom and his students did many dissections
beyond what the state required. Sy also volunteered at Smithtown-Setauket
Envronmental Center, where he built an extensive collection
of articulated skeletons and skulls. His skeletons can also
be found at the New York State Museum in Albany, two separate
collections at Paul Smiths College, and at the Visitor-Interpretive
Centers to the Adirondack Park in Newcomb and Paul Smiths.
In addition, DEC has 10 collections created by him that their
officers use when traveling to NYS Schools for their “Eagle
Program”. Many New York State & New Jersey Schools
also have extensive collections he created. He recently delivered
articulated displays of a Red-Tailed Hawk and Great Horned
Owl to the Raptor Trust in Basking Ridge NJ. A collection
is also currently in Paraguay where his nephew teaches in
a Christian School. He now travels the Northeast putting
on programs for Scouting Troops, Schools, County Fairs, Sportsmen
Clubs and now “Outdoorsman Shows”. Come meet
Sy and see his unique display up close & personal and
learn how to start articulating displays of your own.
In addition to the three “Featured Guests”, there
will be many other Authors, Writers and unique Industry Experts
on hand throughout the event. Come meet and learn from the
best!
Check our website the day before the event to see the Official
Seminar Schedule. Seminar Schedules will also be handed out
at the admission area the day(s) of the show.
2011 Featured Guests Biographies:
In keeping with our great
tradition of bringing you the “Industry
Experts”, we are once again very proud of the “Featured
Guests” who will be on hand to meet/greet/interact
with all of our attendees.
  
Tom Yacovella – Wildlife
Artist, Writer, Educator, National Award-Winning Designer
and
NYS Fishing Record Holder
Tom may be one of the most accomplished
artists to ever grace the Adirondacks. He graduated Magna
Cum Laude (in Advertising
Design) from Syracuse University and studied his 5th year at
the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He has held the
position of Art Director at a NYC Ad Agency, In-House Designer
for Corning Glass, IBM and General Electrics.
As a Wildlife
Artist, Tom has been a devout student of the outdoors for
50 years. This has enabled him to create hundreds of works
that
accurately depict Animals and Fish in the wild. Some of the
accolades for his works include; First Place in the 2006
International Art Competition sponsored by “Art Magazine”, First
Place in the 2006 Adirondack National Exhibition of American
Watercolors, Winner of the 2003 International Art Competition,
People’s Choice Winner of the 2003&1999 NYS Fair
Wildlife Art Exhibition, Winner of the 2001 National Rural
Life Art Show, to name a few. Tom has been featured on ESPN’s “True
Outdoor Adventures.
He is the author of guide books “the
Art of Camaflouge” and “Wild Turkey Guide”.
He also authored a book called “The Fall”, which
is a first-person account of a disastrous fall from a tree
stand that was published in Outdoor Life magazine in October
1998. Tom is also a Wild Turkey advocate and co-founder of
the Adirondack WildTurkey Unlimited, as well as a member of
the NYS Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame.
And if all this were not
enough, Tom caught the New York State Record Brook Trout
in 2006. The lunker was 21” long, weighed 5lbs 4 ½ ounces
and had an incredible girth of 15”. Upon having this
record mounted, Tom handled the finishing touches of painting
the record fish himself. He will have the Record Brook Trout,
as well as pieces of all his art work available for viewing/sale
at our event. To learn more about Tom, visit his website at
www.yacovellart.com .
  
Dan Ladd – Outdoor
Writer & Adirondack
Author
This is Dan’s second time being a “Featured Guest” at
our events. We featured Dan a few years ago when he released
his first book called “Deer Hunting in the Adirondacks”.
Dan returns this year with his
newest book called “Well
Seasoned in the Adirondacks”. This new book is a compilation
the newspaper articles he has written over the years in his
capacity as an Outdoor Writer for several publications across
New York State.
Dan currently writes for the The
Chronicle Newspaper in Glens Falls, Press Republican in Plattsburgh,
Vermont’s Outdoors Magazine, and the New York Outdoor
News. Dan is also the creator and webmaster of the popular
hunting site called www.adkhunter.com .
Dan uses this site
to promote hunting & fishing in the Adirondacks and encourages
reader participation by featuring hunting and fishing success
stories (and photos) from his readersl. Dan is also very active
with the New York State Outdoor Writers Association.
He was
instrumental in bringing the NYS Outdoor Writers Spring
Safari to Fulton County (Peck’s Lake) back in 2010. He also
had a hand in our (Fulton County’s) successful bid to
bring the group back to Fulton County in the Fall of 2011 for
the NYS Outdoor Writers Annual Conference.
Dan has been a great
friend to our show and the efforts of all Outdoorsman
across the state for many years. He will be on hand with
copies of
his books available for signing. To learn more about
Dan, visit www.adkhunter.com .
  
Todd
Mead - Adirondack Deer Hunting Author
Todd Mead is our third
Featured Guest and he recently authored a Deer Hunting Book
titled “A Lifetime of Big Woods
Hunting Memories: Hunting in the Adirondacks with a Father & Son”.
Mead, who grew up in Kingsbury
NY (small rural farming community on the Southern edge of
the Adirondack Park), began writing
when he was in High School & College! Upon graduating
from college (SUNY Oneonta) he took a job with Tribune Media,
where he still works as an International Editor.
A few years
ago, Todd was challenged by a good friend to take his
vast amount of knowledge on hunting, along with the many
stories
he and his Dad (Charlie Mead) had about hunting in the
Adirondacks and put them into a book. The end result was
Todd’s
first book and a website that contains Blogs about his experiences.
Todd will be attending our show
with copies of his book and a unique display of the trophy
Whitetail Deer that he has
shot. You can see them all for yourself, up close and
personal. To learn more about Todd and see his Blogs, go
to www.toddmead.com .
In addition to the three featured guests, there will be many
other Authors, Writers and unique Industry Experts on hand
at the event. Come meet and learn from the best!
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