A question for other pros or anyone for that matter
Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 12:47 am
I was very disturbed by an email I recieved tonight ... And wanted to hear the opinion of other professionals out there...
Every year I give away 15-20 charters during a two week period where I am statistically slow... I give these charters to anyone who has never tried kayak fishing before and is interested in trying it out...
Tonight I recieved a email from a kayak angler ( not a guide or pro ) expressing outrage that I would do such a thing... This angler expressed that fishing was already a cut throat business and that by doing this I was cutting the throats of other kayak guides...
My reply was this...
" The fishing business isn't cut throat... There is a lot of business out there and no need for anyone to feel threatened by anyone else... The kayak fishing business is growing so fast, and thousands of people a year enter the sport... we actually need more guides to start popping up...
The purpose of this isn't to edge out anyone else... I do this every year as a way to give people interested in the sport who might not otherwise try it a chance to experience it first hand... In fact this in the long run helps a lot of people associated with the kayak fishing industry... If the people who go out like it they will look to buy kayaks and equipment which in turn helps local paddle and tackle shops, as well as in the future at fishing with other guides or maybe even eventually become guides themselves... which will further boost the sport... In return making more opportunities and sales for everyone...
I think that a narrow minded approach by a lot of people that there isn't enough business around and they need to fight with others or every little bit they get or have is ridicoulous... Everyone in the sportfishing business needs to realize that by working together and fostering new interest in the sport it is good for everyone...
So... To answer your question... no I don't feel like I am hurting anyone else... I look at it as building a solid foundation for the future and giving people a chance to try something new... "
My question to all of you is this...
1) Has it gotten that bad where the business is actually cut throat?
2) Is it like that where you all are from?
Do guides everywhere feel threatened by other guides? I have always tried to befriend and help other professionals whenever I can... Its not only professional courtesy but also makes it better for those we are taking out on the water - our customers... after all isn't all about them and insuring they have the best time...
I was very disturbed by this email... For multiple reasons... one, that people actually get mad at others trying to do something good and spend more time finger pointing and fighting than working together to make things better for everyone... two, that someone would get made at someone for giving freely of themselves whether for profit or not... This would be like if you owned a supermarket and got made at another supermarket for having a buy one get one free sale. or getting made at another competitor for giving away free samples to try and boost sales or attract new customers... Isn't this America... Isn't that what capitalism is about... But most of all because fishing is supposed to be fun... Even for those of use who do it for a living... of course we want to make money but we can't lose sight of why we all started fishing to begin with... and if someone is willing to give of themselves to help bring new people into the sport then more power to them... Thats how I see it... But curious as to what you all might think...
Every year I give away 15-20 charters during a two week period where I am statistically slow... I give these charters to anyone who has never tried kayak fishing before and is interested in trying it out...
Tonight I recieved a email from a kayak angler ( not a guide or pro ) expressing outrage that I would do such a thing... This angler expressed that fishing was already a cut throat business and that by doing this I was cutting the throats of other kayak guides...
My reply was this...
" The fishing business isn't cut throat... There is a lot of business out there and no need for anyone to feel threatened by anyone else... The kayak fishing business is growing so fast, and thousands of people a year enter the sport... we actually need more guides to start popping up...
The purpose of this isn't to edge out anyone else... I do this every year as a way to give people interested in the sport who might not otherwise try it a chance to experience it first hand... In fact this in the long run helps a lot of people associated with the kayak fishing industry... If the people who go out like it they will look to buy kayaks and equipment which in turn helps local paddle and tackle shops, as well as in the future at fishing with other guides or maybe even eventually become guides themselves... which will further boost the sport... In return making more opportunities and sales for everyone...
I think that a narrow minded approach by a lot of people that there isn't enough business around and they need to fight with others or every little bit they get or have is ridicoulous... Everyone in the sportfishing business needs to realize that by working together and fostering new interest in the sport it is good for everyone...
So... To answer your question... no I don't feel like I am hurting anyone else... I look at it as building a solid foundation for the future and giving people a chance to try something new... "
My question to all of you is this...
1) Has it gotten that bad where the business is actually cut throat?
2) Is it like that where you all are from?
Do guides everywhere feel threatened by other guides? I have always tried to befriend and help other professionals whenever I can... Its not only professional courtesy but also makes it better for those we are taking out on the water - our customers... after all isn't all about them and insuring they have the best time...
I was very disturbed by this email... For multiple reasons... one, that people actually get mad at others trying to do something good and spend more time finger pointing and fighting than working together to make things better for everyone... two, that someone would get made at someone for giving freely of themselves whether for profit or not... This would be like if you owned a supermarket and got made at another supermarket for having a buy one get one free sale. or getting made at another competitor for giving away free samples to try and boost sales or attract new customers... Isn't this America... Isn't that what capitalism is about... But most of all because fishing is supposed to be fun... Even for those of use who do it for a living... of course we want to make money but we can't lose sight of why we all started fishing to begin with... and if someone is willing to give of themselves to help bring new people into the sport then more power to them... Thats how I see it... But curious as to what you all might think...
) etc. I give away several guided days a year to what are, IMO, worthy non-profits, including CFR, TU, and local youth camps, plus a bamboo flyrod a year for fundraising. That's my time, my money and noone's business but mine.