Newport International Boat Show is introducing a dedicated Fishing Village for its 2026 edition, bringing angling equipment, education and hands-on activities into a single waterfront area. The new attraction is presented by Tashmoo Boatworks and is included with general show admission, according to the organiser's published programme.
The show is scheduled to run from 17 to 20 September in Newport, Rhode Island, with the detailed Fishing Village seminar programme beginning on Friday 18 September. The format is intended to cater to both experienced anglers and visitors who are only beginning to explore fishing from small boats.
Learn from fishing and electronics specialists
The Fishing Education Center, presented by The Saltwater Edge, will offer complimentary sessions on fishing techniques and marine electronics. The programme includes using side-scan sonar to find bass on structure, approaches to false albacore, midshore bluefin and bottom fishing, and demonstrations involving Garmin equipment.
Participating brands listed by the organiser include Dragonfly Boatworks, Tashmoo Boatworks, Shimano, Simms and several specialist suppliers. Visitors can therefore compare products and ask practical questions rather than receiving only a static equipment display.
A 50-foot space for casting practice
The village's centrepiece is a 50-foot casting pond, also presented by Tashmoo Boatworks. Fly-casting clinics and interactive demonstrations give visitors a place to practise technique in a controlled environment before transferring those skills to a boat or shoreline.
Sunday programming includes a Take a Kid Fishing session and family-oriented black sea bass instruction. That focus expands the village beyond purchasing equipment and gives younger visitors a structured way to try a waterside activity.
Why it matters to small-boat owners
Fishing gear, sonar, deck layouts and tackle storage directly affect how small centre consoles and open boats are used. Bringing those subjects together should make it easier for a visitor to consider the whole fishing setup rather than treating each accessory separately.
The attraction is new for the 2026 show, and its scheduled sessions should not be reported as completed before they occur. Leisure Boat Guide will distinguish announcements made ahead of the event from any subsequent attendance, award or product-launch results.