By the time you read this, I'll have touched down in Ocean City, Md., ready for Friday's start of the 40th annual Maryland Watermen's Show — aka, the East Coast Commercial Fishermen's and 
Aquaculture Trade Exposition.

This is the first fishing show of 2014, and as always, it promises to be a fun one.

Among other boats, gear and equipment, Eugene Evans of Evans Boats in Crisfield will have on display a 1969-built wooden boat that he recently wrapped in fiberglass for Robert T. Brown, president of the Maryland Watermen's Association. The expo's schedule offers a full slate of aquaculture and commercial fishing seminars, cooking demos, equipment, boats and of course the annual Waterman of the Year competition.

See more videos of last year's competition on our YouTube channel.

But like many industry gatherings, some of the most memorable traditions of the Maryland Watermen's Show take place off the show floor. I'm looking forward to catching up with many of the folks I only get to see once a year down in Ocean City, taking a slice of cake at the Fontainebleau bar and packing in as much Chesapeake seafood as I possibly can in a matter of days. Though I'm sure we'll all be missing the late Larry Simns, former president of the association and an NF Highliner, the show goes on in his honor.

If you're on the Delmarva this weekend, swing on by the Ocean City Convention Center and visit us in booth 309.