Wishing for fishing? Can't wait to float your boat? Visions of salmonberries dancing in your head?

Get ready for the fields and streams at this week's Great Alaska Sportsman Show, the annual gathering of outdoors lovers, experts and vendors.

So big it needs both Sullivan Arena and Ben Boeke Arena to squeeze everything in, the 26th annual event will feature 550 booths and seminars every hour.

The four-day celebration of all things Alaska has something for just about anybody who's into the outdoors -- as long as they don't mind an indoor crowd, because this show typically packs 'em in.

Interested in shrimping, crabbing or clamming? There's a seminar for you.

Learn how to repair inflatable boats, how to salvage meat, how to freeze and smoke salmon, how to identify and preserve berries, how to build a canoe, how to survive a cold-water emergency.

Check out Alaska Fish & Game's laser rifle range or visit the always-popular (and almost always crowded) Kids' Fishing Pond at Ben Boeke.

Tickets are available at the door.

Sportsman Show Sullivan Arena and Ben Boeke Thursday 4-9 p.m. Friday noon-9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission $10 adults, $2 kids 12 and under; tickets available at door Transportation Free shuttles will run during all show hours from the Midtown Wal-Mart and the Northway Mall (near Red Robin). On the Web www.greatalaskasportsman show.com

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