I hadn’t been in years. As a kid, I used to go with my dad, but the memories are faint. I just remember it being big, and the people friendly.

Turns out, The Fly Fishing Show’s stop in New Jersey has stayed pretty much the same: It’s the largest show in the Northeast.

Living outside of Boston, people say — you have to go to NJ. It’s so. much. bigger. I’ve written before about the Marlborough show, which I love, but then I feel protective of it: it’s our show, after all. If the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, Mass is the little engine that could, the New Jersey show is the Semi that is — the dance floor is a lot bigger, and people come to dance. (With that, I thought: Sure, go ahead, Ben — Why not mix metaphors?)

I had a great time with my good friend Jonas from Spinoza Rod Company at the show. We caught up with James and Eddy from Beulah, had dinner with the irreplaceable and irrepressible Johnny King (who else is a world class fly tyer and Jazz musician?), saw our friends from High Hook Wines, Kismet, HMH, Why Knot, and more, and met the talented photographer James Joiner. Truly — an excellent trip.

See below for some highlights. Hope to see there or in Marlborough next year!