SITKA Fishing Gear Launch Party- Vernon Hills, IL

Event Start Date: 2/7/2026 10:00 AM

Event End Date: 2/7/2026 4:00 PM

Timezone: CST

Join the Illinois Chapter of BHA on February 7th from 10AM-4PM in Vernon Hills, IL for SITKA’s next evolution: SITKA Fish. 

Learn about the new product releases, as well as meet with conservation orgs, guides, vendors, and industry professionals. Tables set up for you to talk to Experts in the industry and a station for fly tying. This is an event you won’t want to miss. Beverages will be provided and each attendee will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a door prize at the end. Come by, bring the family, bring the fishing stories!

Partners Include:
Chris Willen - Chris Willen Guide Service
Jim Crowley - Jim Crowley Outdoors
Brian Griffin - Griffin Outdoors
Cal Haataja - The Haat Bite
Pierce Nelles- Good Chance Fly Fishing, Wisconsin Sportsman
Bill Katazenberger - Lake Geneva on the Fly
Austin Wiggerman - Austin Wiggerman Guide Service LLC
Dan Wawrzyniak & Andy Wawrzyniak- Bigg Mouth Fishing
Matt Streim - Okayest Fisher
BHA Illinois
Costa

10:00 AM – Doors open

10:30 AM – Chris Willen: Musky & smallmouth fishing (fly fishing and conventional tackle)

11:15 AM – Costa: Discussing which lenses to use for different types of water

12:00 PM – Pierce Nelles: Fly fishing for trout

12:45 PM – Austin Wiggerman: Muskies: The Fish of Change

1:30 PM – Cal Haataja: Ice fishing

2:15 PM – Jim Crowley: Fishing with jerk baits

3:00 PM – Bill Katazenberger: Fly fishing Lake Geneva