Ready for a new start: Aqua-Fisch sets out to sea again

After holding its position in slack water for three years due to the Covid pandemic, the Aqua-Fisch is once again on the move. From March 3 to 5, 2023, southern Germany’s largest trade fair for fishing, fly fishing, and aquaristic is opening its doors again – and it’s not just fish that will be eager to join the shoal: “After an extended forced hiatus due to the coronavirus, we are looking forward to a fresh start and to kicking off the new season with the relaunch of the highly anticipated industry-wide platform for face-to-face discussion, obtaining relevant information, and making purchases. Some 100 exhibiting companies will be presenting their innovations across two halls. Lecture forums, demonstrations, and various pools for trying out new products and skills will invite visitors to participate,” say Messe Friedrichshafen Managing Director Klaus Wellmann and Project Manager Petra Rathgeber, describing the upcoming event. This year will include a new Start-up Area with young companies, and showings of the “RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival 2023” will bring exciting fly fishing adventures to the big screen.

There’s plenty to “sea” at the Aqua-Fisch: the selection of products on offer is extensive, ranging from equipment and clothing to casting demonstrations and expert forums through to baits, lures, and accessories. The international trade fair for fishing, fly fishing, and aquaristic offers a wide product range of high quality as well as a supporting program featuring plenty of variety. In various test pools, experts will be demonstrating their skills with rods, reels, baits, and lures. For those who want to take an even deeper dive, lectures will include tips on choosing the right lures and provide inspiration for your next fishing trip. The first-ever “RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival 2023,” considered to be the world’s largest film festival of its kind, will bring home the fascination of fly fishing in spectacular nature footage. This event will involve the Conference Room Berlin being transformed into a movie theater starting at 3 p.m. on the Saturday of the fair. Admission to the screening of the film is not included in the fair ticket price and will cost an additional 5 euros. Fly fishing school FLYRUS is bringing the film festival to the fairgrounds and will also be providing information about learning the sport at its booth in Hall A7.

On the hook: Hands-on areas for novices and pros

During demonstrations by the European Fly Fishing Association (EFFA), visitors can obtain practical tips and tricks on fishing techniques at the Fly Fishing Pool and try things out themselves by taking rod and reel in hand there. There’s also opportunity for trying things out at the Bait & Lure Pool, where it will be possible to try out spinners, flies, and other fish-attracting tools and accessories. The range of techniques used for casting is just as as diverse and multifaceted as the possibilities for improving your luck at fishing by other means. Visitors interested in casting will be able to try out the wide variety of casting techniques in the Casting Action Area in Hall A7. River perch will be making their rounds in the safety of a show tank owned by the State Fisheries Association (LFV). This widespread species was chosen as Fish of the Year 2023 in order to highlight the generally endangered status of fish fauna, as documentation of where this species can still be found provides key information on biodiversity changes in running and still water.

From fishing trips to secret fishing spots: Experts reveal their tips relating to all aspects of fishing

The pros will be unpacking their (secret) tips and tricks on the podium of the Fishing Forum. Newcomers to fishing as well as old hands at the sport will be able to pick up new knowledge about fishing techniques, fish species, or how to select baits and lures. On the stage in Hall A7, experts such as Torsten Ahrens and predatory fish specialist Uwe Pinnau will give fascinating presentations on a variety of topics.

A cornucopia of sea and marine life

Hall B5 will be the place to be for all aquarium and terrarium enthusiasts. A wide selection of finned animals, corals, and reptiles, as well as the right food, lighting, and plants for setting up a beautiful habitat at home will be able to be discovered and purchased here. The Aquarium Club Multicolor Market will offer just the right fish for every aquarium. At the Betta Helvetia booth, fans of Siamese fighting fish will be able to learn all about how set up the right environment for these feisty fish, shop for relevant accessories, and buy more bettas at an auction on Saturday and Sunday. If you want to learn more about how to keep fish in a species-appropriate manner, you should take note of the Aquaristic Forum being held in cooperation with the Dähne Verlag publishing house. The Association of German Aquariums, Guppy Friends Germany, international shrimp breeders, and aquarium clubs from throughout the region will also be represented.

Promotions for the next generation of fishing enthusiasts

The colorful underwater world and the inhabitants of terrariums captivate children in particular. The Kids’ Pool in Hall B5 will be inviting fishing novices to catch their very first fish, and the Kids’ Movie Theater will be located in the same place.

Opening hours and admission prices

Aqua-Fisch 2023 will be open from 9 am to 6 pm on Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday, March 5. The day ticket costs 12 euros online and 16 euros on-site. Tickets for children and adolescents will be 7 euros online and 10 euros on-site. The family ticket will cost 29 euros online.