Promote the sport of fishing?

[Stasher1]

More people involved in the sport means more money for manufacturers to invest into new products and technologies, which benefits all of us.

[Fishing Rhino]

Hey Tom: Why? for me;

I fished when I was younger, then came a long and dark path , I chose myself to walk. It involved some 27 years of active addiction.

I got clean , a little over 17 years ago, thanks to a 12 step program I am still actively a member of

After I detoxed, which took 11 days i started to go to meetings and one of the old timers found out I liked to fish as a kid. He and a few others got me hooked up with a rod and reel and would take me fishing , off the various shore lines surrounding Brooklyn. This did 2 things, kept me in the company of recovering addicts between meetings,KEPT ME SAFE and I learned how to recreate again

It is in their honor and memory that Serenity Bassers, has been formed to PROMOTE this to 6 guys , a year ,that are in recovery . We equip them ( with a lot of help from the fellas here) Take them camping and fishing and with the help of God, they learn to have fun and stay clean. I would hope we could reach a good number of these fellas, and if it makes the lake a little more crowded, I will pray a big thank you to God.

Muddy, it is wonderful that someone had the thoughtfulness to do that. And, I'm thankful and more than a bit heartened to hear of your experience.

But the fellows that helped you, did not promote fishing. They found a common shared interest. (see highlighted area). It just happened to be fishing.

What really helped you was the fact that someone truly cared about your well being. They found something that you liked, and steered you in that direction.

Their compassion, and your desire, is what turned your life around. Had your interest been gardening, and they took you under their angels' wings, and spent time with you gardening the result would be the same.

Now, let's look at the other, dark side of the coin. How many times has a recreational activity been at the heart of the destruction of families, and individuals?

The country and western song "I'm gonna miss her" comes to mind. That song would be silly if there wasn't a bit of reality behind it.

I personally have known many who neglect their families because they are fishing addicts, and their family is not at the top of their priority list, or at least below their pursuit of fishing.

Any, otherwise healthy activity can have the same affect that alcohol, drugs, and gambling do on families. Two of the aforementioned three are legal.

Dale Earnhardt Senior's first marriage ended because he was spending grocery money to buy racing tires, hoping to get it back with his winnings. There may have been other factors as well.

I'm passionate about fishing. Too passionate, truth be told. The lawn needs mowing, the trim needs painting, the sticking door needs to be sanded to relieve the offending section, etc.

None of those things need urgent attention. They can wait. I'm going fishing.

Now, I gotta feed the dogs, get them tended to, and I'm off to the pond.

God bless you for sharing your story Muddy.

NO TOM: I am promoting it get it SERENTIY BASSERS was formed IN THEIR HONOR; We take guys fishing straight out of detoxes and jails, most of whom never fished> I>really am not being negative to you at all, and the other fellas who responded did so , BECUASE YOU ASKED THEM TO, if you do that many may not agree with you, that is far from being judgemental

BTW the last thing i think about when I am fishing is that it is some kind of political act

I don't think you said anything negative about me. I certainly did not read anything in your post, other than an an honest, straightforward answer to my question.

If I gave you the impression I took anything you posted as criticism of me personally, then I communicated badly, and apologize for doing so.

Your Serenity Bassers is a noble effort. But, even then, your purpose is not to promote fishing, but to help others. Fishing is the means you use to do it.

Just a comment on the negativity.  

Calling someone else (me) selfish is not a response to the question I asked.  

It's a personal comment directed at me. about me.  

Seems they could not come up with a single reason why we should promote fishing, or chose not to post it, but preferred to comment about me.

[Stagerlee]

I wouldn't say I 'promote' the sport, but I do invite and brings others out to fish so I got a new fishing buddy to go with every time.  

[Fishing Rhino]

Here's my thought process for posing this question.

Every hobby or recreation I've been involved with has an underlying theme of promoting that particular thing.

I mentioned golf.  Who gains the most from the promotion of the game of golf?  Why it is none other than the PGA, and the manufacturers of golf equipment.

Back in the sixties, it was banner news on the sports pages when Jack Nicklaus earned a hundred thousand dollars in prize money.

Very few people played golf, and even fewer watched it on television.  What's th best way to get those television numbers turned around, so a tournament sponsor will be willing to part with even greater sums of money?

Let's get the ratings up by getting more people involved in the game.

NASCAR:  Let's get folks other than the redneck crowd interested.  Lets promote it to the masses.  Worked pretty well, but now NASCAR is finding out how fickle the masses can be, while turning away those who brought them to the dance.

Stick and ball sports, more of the same.  No more AL and NL in MLB, or two divisions in football.  Nah, lets split them up into even more divisions so we can have playoffs to keep the fans excited.

In most cases, promoting anything is about increasing revenues, not making things better.

Those who stand to gain the most, are the ones hyping any sport.

So, there you have it.  My question was not born of a desire to keep others off my fishing holes, or to keep as few as possible on them.

I don't care how many people fish or don't.  I put neither the waters, nor the fish there.  They are as much yours as they are mine, and vice versa.

[Matt Fly]

Fact, what my Dad taught me to do is fish for supper.   I won't starve if conditions ever came to that.    Not everyone fishes for the same reasons.

Second, tons of pollution into our waters is done by EVERYONE.

Ever seen dry creeks that people use as dump sites?    Major rains flush stuff into the water from miles away.    Not soley done by fishermen.

Some of that pollution comes from storm drains in the cities, runoff into creeks and then into our lakes, rivers and streams.

 Saw the same thread on another forum, the guy bringing it up is smoker, he called the kettle black,  funny thing was, his buddy busted him for throwing his butts in the water.   Too funny.

"pass it on"

   

   

[SirSnookalot]

I agree with Fishing Rhino.....promotion is done on the business side for for their profit.  If you make you living from fishing you aren't promoting it, it's your profession.

When I go fishing with a friend or family member it isn't promotion it's bonding and having a good time, the fish are really secondary.

[Muddy]

No Tommy; I enjoy your posts to the utmost, we can't agree on everything.No harm no foul. It has been my experience that when you ask for others opinions here they will differ widely due to the members being from so many places and backgrounds. It's all good in the hood! 8-)

[wagn]

I understand where you are coming from Fishing Rhino.

I fish with friends and family, and take people who are interested fishing with me.

However I do not promote the sport actively. I don't try to get people into it and grow it just for the sake of making it bigger.

I like the fact that there are lakes I can go to that aren't full of other anglers. These gives me the rare chance to get away from the world.

Over-promotion and unlimited growth would eventually take this away.

There are only so many bodies of water out there.

[Desultory]

Every hobby or recreation I've been involved with has an underlying theme of promoting that particular thing.

Could you define what you think a casual or recreational angler could do that would be considered "promoting the sport"?

I've been thinking about a lot of the responses and it seems that there isn't a clear definition of what you mean when you ask what's in it for them by "promoting" fishing.

To me, there are a couple of possible answers. One is that anytime you introduce (or re-introduce) someone to fishing, you're promoting the sport, albeit on a small scale. The other, which isn't really something a casual angler would do, is widespread promotion of fishing in general. This type of promotion is for the primary benefit of the companies making the money.

I think the benefit from the first form of promotion is quite obvious. You can make friends, teach children to have respect for nature, and maybe even save a life, as in Muddy's case. It can bring friends closer together and, by helping guide these new or returning people, you end up with anglers who respect the sport, the fish, and their fellow sportsmen. There's very little downside to this IMO.

The later method is far more difficult to justify for the casual angler. The negatives are that the companies trying to earn the money may not necessarily promote responsible behavior along with fishing. They may not teach newcomers how to respect the waterways, the fish, and their fellow anglers. I still think there can be an upside. You never know when someone brought in the fold this way will turn out to be a great friend and fishing companion, who will learn to respect the sport and even contribute to it's positive promotion in the future.

For that reason I think along with acknowledging that companies who will profit from promoting the sport will continue to do so, those anglers already "doing the right thing" need to continue to try and teach newcomers to do the right thing as well. Not all will listen, but not everyone who doesn't get it will stay with it anyway.

Sites like this one, and discussions like these, are an integral part, IMHO, of the healthy promotion of the sport. Were the sport not promoted, it's unlikely sites like this would exist. That alone is a benefit for the casual angler.

Anyway, my 2 bits. Sorry it ran a bit long.

[Fishing Rhino]

To promote a sport means to attempt to get more people involved in it.

Muddy's purpose is not to promote the sport. It is to help others in the same way he was helped. He is passing on the compassion that others showed to him.

I'm in no way opposed to anyone who wants to encourage others to take up the sport. The promotion of fishing, and every other hobby/activity is a product of Madison Avenue.

As for the people it helps, I suspect that the numbers hurt by another's fishing obsession are higher.

Fishing isn't really the problem or the salvation other than by circumstance.

Any troubled youth, or person for that matter, must of necessity have something to replace the void left when they give up something.

For some it may be fishing, for others a church, temple or synagogue (religion), or any other activity. True "redemption" not only leads away from something, it also leads to something.

At the heart of any rehabilitation is the concern and compassion from others, and a desire to change.

If you were to take all the members of the bloods and the crypts fishing, how many do you suppose would turn over a new leaf?

I'd be surprised if a single gang member would be changed by the fishing experience alone.

Recreational Fishing in Washington State: Big Business

Business owners who depend on and benefit from recreational fishing for salmon and shellfish formed Fish Northwest in 2005. Fish Northwest believes that the State of Washington can do much more to increase recreational fishing opportunity, while at the same time protecting and enhancing our salmon and shellfish. We also believe that achieving this goal will not affect tribal treaty fishing rights and is compatible with commercial salmon fishing.

The organizers of Fish Northwest believe that the primary reason why the State of Washington has not made recreational fishing for salmon and shellfish a priority is because of the lack of understanding regarding the economic value of recreational fishing. The following information clearly demonstrates that recreational fishing is in fact a very important business in the State of Washington. It also illustrates why it is in our state's interest to develop policies and programs that promote the growth and development of recreational fishing.

http://www.fishnorthwest.org/

Fishing contributes approximately $1.5 billion to Georgia's economy each year. DNR estimates more than 10,000 jobs in Georgia are related to sport fishing, which generates $15 million in state income taxes, and $19 million in state sales taxes. A major bass fishing tournament can have as much as a $5 million economic impact on a local community. A championship event can have a $27 million economic impact.

Go Fish Georgia is designed to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism in Georgia and to boost economic development in communities across the state. This initiative will result in quality fisheries resources statewide, including family friendly fishing and recreation access points that will increase fishing participation in Georgia.

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/news/story?id=3179590

http://www.caltrout.org/documents/caltrouteconomicreportjan2008.pdf

BASS, the focal point of what has grown into a multibillion-dollar fishing industry, has created a publishing giant with Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times, Fishing Tackle Retailer and Junior Bassmaster Magazine. BASS produces "The Bassmasters" weekly television program which airs on ESPN2, the Bassmaster Tournament Trail and the Bassmaster Classic, recognized around the globe as fishing's world championship.

The first Classic, held on Lake Mead near Las Vegas, Nev., awarded a winner-take-all paycheck of $10,000 and was witnessed by a straggling handful of spectators. Today, tens of thousands of people cram into coliseums to watch the daily weigh-ins, and $1,194,500 is awarded to the anglers $500,000 of which goes to the champion.[/i]

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/about/news/story?page=about_bass_20090105

Even BASS talks about growing the numbers, just like golf, NASCAR, and other sports.

My opinion is that we are viewed as little more than pawns in the overall scheme of things.

They all sound good on the surface, but in the end, for the powers that be, it boils down to the dollar.

In some cases we serve as unpaid volunteers to promote this or that.

[Desultory]

To promote a sport means to attempt to get more people involved in it.

Muddy's purpose is not to promote the sport. It is to help others in the same way he was helped. He is passing on the compassion that others showed to him.

We'll have to agree to disagree.  Regardless of the motivation behind the program, in the end it is, at least in part, promoting fishing.  Perhaps the primary purpose is to help addicts but the method he chose does involve the promotion of fishing, by your own definition.  He's attempting to get more people involved in it.

In any event, it seems the discussion has evolved considerably from your original post and has gone much further into the psychological benefits of fishing and it's impact on society than a simple question of "how does promoting fishing benefit the casual/recreational angler".

In short, I'm out of my depth.  

[Bassn Blvd]

I hear that expression used from time to time.

Why does one want to promote the sport, and encourage others to participate in it?

I can understand anyone who earns their income from fishing, be it the manufacturers, tournament pros, and guides eagerly promoting the sport. More money in their pockets.

What's in it for the recreational angler?

Think about it.  The goal of promoting is to interest others so they will take up the sport.

So, we do an outstanding job of promotion, and the number of anglers doubles.

Do you really want twice as many fishermen on the pond with you?

It happened to golf.

When I started, a round of golf, walking, generally took three and a half hours. Now, the target is a four and a half hour round.

That target is not often met. On some courses it can take over five hours to play a round of golf.

At least with golf, new courses were built to accomodate the burgeoning number of players.

Not so easy to do with fishing.

Rhino, perhaps I misunderstood what you're asking to get out of your post.  One does not have to benefit finacialy to promte something.

What's in it for the recreational angler? I don't know.  What's in it for you? Relaxation, destress yourself, being outdoors?

Think about it.  The goal of promoting is to interest others so they will take up the sport.  What's wrong with that.  If no one promoted the sport to me then I would never have experienced the joy of catching a fish.

Do you really want twice as many fishermen on the pond with you?  Should I be bitter if I see you fishing the same water as me?  After all, if no one promoted the sport to you then I would have the pond to myself without you on it.

Promoting the sport of fishng by educated people such as you or me can be done as to encourage others to fish responsibly. We can teach others the benifets of catch and release and recycling fishing line and the proper way to dispose of our trash or whatever .  I do not mind sharing my pond with an educated, responsible fisherman.

[Fishing Rhino]

I hear that expression used from time to time.

Why does one want to promote the sport, and encourage others to participate in it?

I can understand anyone who earns their income from fishing, be it the manufacturers, tournament pros, and guides eagerly promoting the sport. More money in their pockets.

What's in it for the recreational angler?

Think about it. The goal of promoting is to interest others so they will take up the sport.

So, we do an outstanding job of promotion, and the number of anglers doubles.

Do you really want twice as many fishermen on the pond with you?

It happened to golf.

When I started, a round of golf, walking, generally took three and a half hours. Now, the target is a four and a half hour round.

That target is not often met. On some courses it can take over five hours to play a round of golf.

At least with golf, new courses were built to accomodate the burgeoning number of players.

Not so easy to do with fishing.

Rhino, perhaps I misunderstood what you're asking to get out of your post. One does not have to benefit finacialy to promte something.

What's in it for the recreational angler? I don't know. What's in it for you? Relaxation, destress yourself, being outdoors?

Think about it. The goal of promoting is to interest others so they will take up the sport. What's wrong with that. If no one promoted the sport to me then I would never have experienced the joy of catching a fish.

Do you really want twice as many fishermen on the pond with you? Should I be bitter if I see you fishing the same water as me? After all, if no one promoted the sport to you then I would have the pond to myself without you on it.

Promoting the sport of fishng by educated people such as you or me can be done as to encourage others to fish responsibly. We can teach others the benifets of catch and release and recycling fishing line and the proper way to dispose of our trash or whatever . I do not mind sharing my pond with an educated, responsible fisherman.

First, I never said there was anything wrong with promoting any sport.  I was attempting to get at the driving force encouraging the promotion of a sport.  It usually involves economic gain.  Of course we can promote anything we believe in without regard to financial gain.

See posts regarding the states promotion.  They cite a litany of what is good about fishing, and then add, as if an afterthought,  "Oh yeah, and we'll get more revenue from it."

Regarding someone promoting the sport to you.  I suspect that you would have found some recreation that you enjoyed.

My dad, a good ol' redneck boy from Georgia hunted and fished.

When I was a young sprout, he set me up with a bamboo pole, kite string, a cork stopper (bobber), hook and worms.  That was it.

Too young to handle a gun, though at ten or eleven, I got a Red Ryder BB gun, and never shot my eye out.  I enjoyed plinking, and target shooting, but never developed an interest in hunting.

I went with some of my buddies duck/goose hunting in the dunes at Horseneck Beach, but never got the idea that having to bundle up, and sit still in one place and wait for the prey to show up was fun.

I'm all in favor of educating people who fish, and those who will fish.  The problem is some people just do not care.  They are lazy, indifferent, and inconsiderate of those with whom they share fishing facilities.

They know better.  They know it's wrong to litter, and trash an area.

People drive down the road tossing their beverage containers, sacks from McDonalds, or Burger King, scratch tickets, and all other manner of trash out of their vehicles onto other folks' properties.

What they need is some kind of wake up call, like one I administered.

When I was lobstering, some slob from a nearby town left three plastic bags of their trash on the dock alongside my berth.

I poked around and found it had mail addressed to them in the trash.  I took a five minute ride to a state road that passes through town to the state beach.

I set their trash on the ground, at the base of a traffic light.

I also plowed snow for the state, so I knew the foreman of the highway garage, and during one storm, I asked if he recalled finding some trash on route 88.

He did.  The State Police were called, and paid a visit to the individual.  He had to go pick it up, and was given a citation for littering, which resulted in a thousand dollar fine.

When I told him the story, he laughed, and said they deserved it.

That is the only kind of education people like that understand.

[Muddy]

I know of 2 fellas first hand that thought the only recreation in the world was gambling and strip clubs, both would have led them back to jail. One is fishing and the other is into archery now, of all things. Why because people took care and concern to PROMOTE THESE SPORTS TO THEM

The whole take a kid fishing and the idea of BASS's tournament trail improving our sport is 100% COMMERCIAL PROMOTION

Who is to say either is right or wrong? Everyone has to make a living and feed their families, if some do it by selling a lot of overpriced tackle to folks who want to buy it, whats the big deal, they ain't buying and selling cocaine!

 I just try to not buy the hype, my own hype almost took my joy out of this. This is what happened ( note not a negative post or thought about Russ, just a suggestion he made that for me did not work)

or Joe

 When LBH , heard about the giveaway program he and ZEL hooked me up with some tackle guys and ZEl with an interview on another site. All of a sudden we had all this stuff,and I was some kind of idiot personality and did another interview. We gave away a lot of stuff but it was a disaster

We did not get to fish with 1/2 the fellas we helped

It is the fishing with a fella who knows how to stay clean that is at the essence of this idea

Promoting it bigger than 6 fellas turned out to be counter productive and we took it down to being a small localized but effective idea

There is a time and place for both commercial and other kinds of promotion

I do like the latest industry promotion good idea:TAKE A REDHEAD FISHING

[Lund Explorer]

Rhino, I could write you a book about why, but on a busy day for me I'll give you a short two word answer to your question.....

Human Nature.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

When I hear someone advocating promoting the sport, I take it in the context of keeping the next generation involved. As an example, the number of active hunters is dwindling, making the ones left a less powerful group to fight the antis and lower revenues from licenses and excise tax to fund government support of the sport. Fishing's not quite in the same boat (no pun intended) but we don't want it to be.