the future of fishing spotlight on you

THE FUTURE OF FISHING
More than a sport
Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1, October, 2013
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
HELLO fellow Master Anglers:
Welcome to our very first
newsletter. We are planning one
each quarter and this is the
inaugural and somewhat of a trial
issue. Our intention is to highlight
each of you and your chapters,
give news about what is going on
all over the world of FISHIG’S
FUTURE, and keep us informed.
Master Angler, Larry Condra,
Abilene (TX) chapter, will be our
editor. Please send him any
information you would like to see
in coming newsletters. Larry is a
retired school teacher and
between visits to grandkids (he
has 10 with 1 on the way) has
time to put this together for us.
Any information pertinent to FF
is what we are looking for.
larry.c@fishingsfuture.org
Send anything you would like
to share with other chapters. Neat
stories, event results, testimonies,
interesting happenings, etc., are
what we are looking for.
Remember anything that might
impress our current or future
sponsors. Send it all.
It is great to have you in the
FISHING’S FUTURE family. I
appreciate all you do to
strengthen the family bonds
within your communities and to
further our sport and FF. You are
the life blood of this organization.
Thanks for all you do and keep up
the great work.
Shane Wilson
SPOTLIGHT ON YOU
Are there options other
than holding FFC’S?
One way each of us can increase
our effectiveness for FISHING’S
FUTURE is to think outside of our
respective boxes. Yes, Family
Fish Camps are our bread and
butter and are what separate us
from most other entities teaching
fishing skills. However, that is not
the only way to reach folks and
share this great sport.
Today I met with some Girl Scout
leaders looking to fill up their
calendars for meetings this school
year with their girls. I got one
date planned and others said they
wanted to do something with their
scouts and we will work out the
dates later.
One newsletter feature will
be to spotlight one of you. This
issue’s spotlight is on a Kansas
transplant to Texas where he got
his training in FF & Texas Parks
& Wildlife Department then
transplanted back to Kansas. Yes,
it is none other than our own
Master Angler, KEVIN REICH.
It was my distinct pleasure to
train Kevin in TPWD then invite
him to join FF. WOW! What an
association that began. He heads
up our procurement/distribution
functions and keeps all chapters
supplied with goodies for our
captain bags. He even began this
before Shane knew about it. He
has been on fire ever since.
Besides directing the training
and curriculum development for
Kansas he regularly holds FFC’s
and helps his other master anglers
in Kansas. Kevin, it is great to
have you associated with FF. You
have more than earned your vice
presidency. It is my pleasure also
to have you as a dear friend. I am
still waiting for my steak.
Larry
This is just another way to reach
folks who want to fish. By the
way, the event planned is entitled
“MOM & ME.” Fits right into our
wheelhouse doesn’t it?
Kevin at work teaching.
Here are some items for you
to consider:
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When is your next planned
event?
Has it been listed on the
website?
Do you have local
sponsors lined up for bait,
food and water?
Go you have arrangements
for the place?
Have you scouted the
venue for amenities and
the lake for fish?
Have you asked TPWD
(for TX folks) for a
license reprieve for the
adults who come that day?
Do you have volunteers
lined up (game wardens)?
Have you found ways to
get the word out about the
event?
Have you thought about
events with disabled folks
or with senior citizens?
How about scout or
church groups?
Have you thought about
home school groups?
What about after school
groups?
Remember, FISHING’S
FUTURE exists to share the
love each of us has for the
great sport of fishing. Share
with us what is working for
you in your area.
How about the first fish you
had to take off the hook by
yourself? Man oh man what
memories we could share.
That is the reason
FISHING’ FUTURE exists.
Isn’t it great to be a part of an
organization where we can
WHY FISHING’S FUTURE
Have you ever thought about
what the name: FISHING’S
share our love and have fun
doing it? Gives me goose
bumps! How about you?
FUTURE really means? It is
loaded with meaning but what
I see as most important is that
the future of fishing and all
outdoor activities lie in people
who love them sharing with
those who do not know. Do you
remember the look on the face
of the first one you taught to
Dad and daughter
fish? When they caught their
first fish? It sure did not have
SPONSORS
to be a world record did it?
No sir, it could have been a
Bluegill no longer than the
bait and it caused a face wide
smile. Can you remember back
to your first own fish and who
taught you?
These are just some ideas
that others have used to
increase their events and
their numbers. These are not
all inclusive for sure but a
pretty good beginning in
helping us look at what we
might do better to increase
our outreach.
Does that smile tell a story?
One thing we would be remiss
in is failing to mention and
thank all our fine sponsors.
Without them and their help
we could not do everything we
do. The number of sponsors is
growing all the time and so
are their contributions. Some
give funds, some give product
and some give both. Here is
the most up-to-date list I have.
If I have omitted any please
advise it was not intentional:
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Academy Sports & Outdoors
Angler’s Accessories
Angler’s Marine Center
Alpine Tackle Supply, Inc.
AREAnet.org
Bass Assassin
Comal Tackle Company
Culprit Lures
D.O.A. Fishing Lures
Eagle Claw
Garmin
Hawaiian Tropic
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Indiana Department of
Natural Resources
Ironwood Pacific Outdoors
Jake Intimidator
KOA of South Padre Island
Kansas Department of Parks,
Wildlife and Tourism
Kicker Fish Bait Company
Kirk's Fly Shop
Legal Limits
Logic Lures
Lucas Lures
Magic Bait
Mustad
Padre Brewing
Pure Fishing
Recycled Fish
Rio Health Medical
Ross Reels
Sea Turtle Inc.
Shakespeare
Stanley Jigs
Temple Fork Outfitters
Texas Fly Caster
Texas Parks & Wildlife
Department (TPWD)
Texas International Fishing
Tournament
Texas Tackle Factory
Wal-Mart
Water Gremlin
Do you have any ideas of
who we could add to this
list? It can happen, just ask.
Here are some local chapter
sponsors as well:
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Ace Hardware (Estes Park)
BossTin
Comfort Food Online
Estes Park Medical Center
FishpondUSA
Kiwanis Club of Abilene
(TX)
Umpqua Feather
Merchants
WalMart Supercenter of
Abilene
WalMart Supercenter of
Ft. Collins
ATTENTION!
Be on the look-out for new ways
to incorporate FISHING’S FUTURE
and our goals in non-traditional
ways. There are loads of folks out
there who would love to learn
fishing from an experienced pro
just like you. Use every
opportunity to share with them.
Also, always remember to report
your events. Big or small they
make a difference. Take pictures
and send them in as well. We are
always on the lookout for good
pictures of folks learning and
having fun. A picture really is
worth 1,000 (or more) words,
especially to your participants.
Remember to like
us on face book
and remind your
participants.
Facebook
EVENTS
Two of the largest events held
each year are in places that seem
the least likely. Where you ask?
How about the desert of West
Texas? Lubbock and El Paso of all
places. These folks have a
passion for fishing and for helping
their communities. If you have
time they would love your help.
El Paso is coming up in October.
It is really not about where but
just that we do it.
OH WOW! Look at that face.
LOOK FOR
OPPORTUNITIES
TO REACH
FOLKS FOR
FISHING’S
FUTURE.
OKAY GANG, I NEED INPUT
FROM YOU OR YOU WILL HAVE
TO LISTEN TO MY RAMBLINGS!
larry.c@fishingsfuture.org
IN CLOSING:
Well, there you have it, our
very first newsletter. Since it will
only be as good as your
contributions, PLEASE send in
articles or just information you
would like to share with others in
FF. We are now in over 10 states
and Switzerland and come from
all backgrounds, even fly fishing
(that’s a joke Shane).
Keep your lines tight and take
someone fishing. Isn’t today a
great day to do that?
Larry