So what happened at the meeting?

[Skip Johnson]

Welcome to the conversation Jon, it was good to see you at BPS last weekend putting your time in for a great cause, Im TOTALY surprized we didnt have many many more peaple stepping up.

I realy wish we could have had more women and youth's to help soften up the customers rather than a bunch of guys that fish...but hey at least we have a few great generous guys willing to do things for youth and conservation that they would probobly rather not have to deal with and would likeley have had other important things to do if they thought it could happen without them.

In all honesty if we had the youths work every and all fund raisers we would likeley get more donations but that wouldnt be fair to the youth to have them do all the work would it ?.

Im pretty sure the mission and reason for TBF is to get us adults involved and united for the betterment of the sport and family values.

[djkimmel]

Im pretty sure the mission and reason for TBF is to get us adults involved and united for the betterment of the sport and family values.

Yes, that is a common theme a number of people have pointed out as one of the main purposes of a federation. Thanks for pointing it out again. Never hurts to keep reminding people.

[Skip Johnson]

                        Thanks,

              Jon "don't hate the player, hate the game" Jezierski


Heyyyyy....I thought you were JJ Sniper     

[mikesmiph]

Some of us had to work at their JOB. Sorry I couldnt make this one.

[Mark117]

yes, the man of mystery?

mike if you had to work, no problem...no apology needed!


                                jj sniper

[motocross269]

Mike....Don't worry about it....I pick 1 or 2 events a year to put my time into...If every member in TBF did that we would be way ahead of the game....No one should expect you to attend every event..If that was the case they would have the same 12 guys showing up at every event.....

I am really not ashamed of anything....I will let my prior record of volunteerism stand on its own......

Jon, I really don't see any "Tournament haters" throwing up the red flag.....I would be willing to bet between the 5 or 6 guys I see here voicing some concerns you will find close to 100 years of combined tournament experience.....I fished my first Operation Bass/Redman tournament in 1988-89...After serving my country for 20 years I am venturing back into the ring but I have followed Federation and tournament fishing during most of those 20 years.....Tournament hater...Not hardly...

I am not so sure that it comes down to where the dollars are going..At least for me anyway....I am more concerned with "Focus and Direction"....I throw so much cash into this tournament fishing what is another 100 bucks here and there..  

I love the State fish off Ideas and they will help the Federation to grow to a point...It is the lack of focus beyond that point that has me concerned.  

Either way I am in and it looks like TBF will have another new club after this weekend..

[djkimmel]

Glad to hear you are pulling the new club off moto. Wondered how that would work out for you.

You have always been a good helper when I or another board member asked you in the past. Thank you very much. Remember not to take many things personal.

[ROI Outdoors]

Because there is no way to hear voice inflection or read body language I'd prefer verbally communicating this but I think it would take a while for all us to get onto the same conference call. Please take time to digest this before commenting - it is in no way meant to be negative nor am I calling any individual or group of individuals out.  (Disclaimer - please sign attached authorization before reading )

This "bickering" has sadly become common place within the angling community here in Michigan; the overall demeanor we have up here is somewhat discouraging but on the flip side proves that there is a major oppurtunuity for improving Michigan's overall tournament scene.  One thing that I think is being overlooked is the fact that the Tournament Anglers are the engine that drives the entire vehichle known as the TBF - without a solid base of serious anglers there would be no use for "Youth" or "Conservation" efforts because a car with no engine would only be able to go down hill.

What is it going to take someone to say or do over the next year to start to change the way we think in Michigan?  We have one of the biggest bases of tournament anglers in the entire country, in the Northern region there isn't a state that comes close to Michigan as far as tournament participation - one would assume that having the 4th highest tournament participation in the country would correlate to some absolutely ridiculous turnouts at the Michigan TBF State Championship but that's not the case.  Who's fault is this?  Is the DNR?  Is it the Federal Government?  Is it the FLW's or B.A.S.S?

The answer is Me, you, and anyone that considers themselves a competitive tournament angler is at fault because we are the only ones who actually have a true meaningful stake in this game so we are the only ones who can bring about real positive change and growth to the sport.  Tournaments, youth participation, and conservation all fall under improving the sport of bass fishing and to me that's what the TBF is all about.  The great thing is that you can't really optimize any one of those areas by themselves - they are requirements to truly grow the sport over the long term; the arguement of which area is more important or which area should get the most attention is simply a mute point because each area is somewhat dependent on the other.  If I could add a 4th critical focus area to the TBF or any other tournament related organization it would be attitude?  Do we approach what we do and say about our passion in the right mind frame?  I know I don't but I'm definitely trying to because we all have one heck of an oppurtunity here in the Great Lakes and it would be a shame to let it all go to waste because of our opinions, thoughts, and attitudes.

We all fish for the same reasons - because we enjoy it; some like to compete (that's why I fish), some like to want to grow the sport by involving more youth (were else do you get future donaters ), some want to conserve our resources (I'm all about that because without water and no fish this post would be a mute point) - I'm pretty sure the majority of us can partially agree with all of those areas so lets move the TBF of Michigan forward because everything else is history.

P.S. - If this doesn't help put into perspective whatsover I do like the suggestion of having some pre-tournament cage fighting or boxing with head-gear; I have access to head-gear and 16oz. gloves if it will help anyone put aside their differences.

P.S.S. - Make sure to re-read the disclaimer at the top of the post if this causes any negative feelings or if you feel single out.

P.S.S.S. - Dan could have the song U.N.I.T.Y by Queen Latifa be background music when we are viewing this thread?  When all else fails go to the subconcious and subliminal!

P.S.S.S.S. - I just like the whole P.S. theme sorry!

Feel free to call me if anyone feels they need a shot of optimism or just wants to tell me I'm wrong and that they don't like me!

Luke A. Winstrom
Return On Investment Outdoors
luke.winstrom@roioutdoors.com
Mobile 616-558-6133

[BryanP]

Does the TBF have their own scales and weigh-in equipment yet?

[Mark117]

Bryan, don't get everyone started about scales and weigh-in equipment? That's another thread all together?

[BryanP]

It would seem to me that should be the first thing that should be purchased!  The ideas like free entry for the fish off and free membership for past presidents are nice ideas, but you can't run before you learn to walk. 

If I didn't know any better, I'd think Obama and his boys were running this show.  Free entitlements for everyone, and we'll figure out how to pay for it later.  And hope we can come up with enough money!

[Mark117]

There's that talk about money again?
HOW MUCH IS "ENOUGH MONEY?"

That is the million dollar question? $5,000, $10,000, $20,000?

My goal is 300 anglers at the 2011,  Aug. 29 Lake St. Clair State Championship @ $60per angler?

$18,000 should be a good start to the general fund?

shooting for the stars.......aim high?
                                                    jj sniper

ps $75 for past president will not make or break this federation? Lets be serious now.

[gr@ssmonkey]

our club "ROI State of Michigan" will be joining TBF tommorow,we are mostly joining to fish the state fish-off and a chance to "live the dream"......I have been on 2 recent state teams(BASS) and had a blast!!! but i always thought things were a little backwards with the money,tournament fishing by far makes the federation go round(there's lots of tournaments with no youth and conservation but were's the youth and conservation clubs outside tournaments).
  don't get me wrong i'm all for the youth(i have 3 aewsome fishing girls) but i think alot more youth stuff goes on behind the scenes from club members thats not showcased,for me it doesn't have to be a youth fish-off(or what ever) to show that were doing some youth stuff,I just look around at fellow tournament anglers with there kids(some TBF members,some not) and know that they care and thats what i'm looking for in a federation,i'm also looking for my federation to take WELL care of the state team qualifiers and to go to bat for me when my fishing lifestyle is threatened at a state level.
I do not think there should be a seperate budget it should be the federation fund and the "elected officials" should vote what should be done with that fund.

[motocross269]

There are an awful lot of youth and Conservation organizations that don't have tournaments, MUCC probably being one of the largest in this state.....What are their membership numbers???

This isn't an Anti- tournament debate...Here is part of the Mission statement from TBF...

The main focus of The Federation is to work for our members in the areas of youth, conservation and fishing. To join The Federation you must join your local state federation through a club.

[djkimmel]

 don't get me wrong i'm all for the youth(i have 3 aewsome fishing girls) but i think alot more youth stuff goes on behind the scenes from club members thats not showcased,for me it doesn't have to be a youth fish-off(or what ever) to show that were doing some youth stuff,I just look around at fellow tournament anglers with there kids(some TBF members,some not) and know that they care and thats what i'm looking for in a federation,i'm also looking for my federation to take WELL care of the state team qualifiers and to go to bat for me when my fishing lifestyle is threatened at a state level.

A successful federation will have many more activities going on at a local level. Many often will not hear about it, but it actually is good to change that. Bass tournament anglers can use all the good PR they can get and showing off that we actually do a lot more than just fish some tournaments trying to win a little money is important.

Years ago in the other federation, we would give away youth grants to a fair number of clubs each year because we knew that you do need to take things down to the grassroots level with people who are willing to do that. Part of the requirements to get the small grants was to report back on your activity with pictures for the newsletter.

There were national awards we could try for, the good PR and I liked just sharing ideas between clubs.

[djkimmel]

BTW, MUCC is the largest state conservation organization in the world! Don't know their latest numbers, but it has been as high as 30,000 and 400+ clubs.

In the past, I have tried to make sure we were members though not everyone has always agreed with me on that. But realistically I will tell you, in Michigan, if you want something major changed in the outdoors, you MUST have MUCC on your side. I have always formed a coalition with them when needed.

[djkimmel]

P.S.S.S. - Dan could have the song U.N.I.T.Y by Queen Latifa be background music when we are viewing this thread?  When all else fails go to the subconcious and subliminal!
Luke A. Winstrom
Return On Investment Outdoors
luke.winstrom@roioutdoors.com
Mobile 616-558-6133

Sorry. Can't do that. Surveys show most Internet users don't like music to popup without warning (gets them in trouble at work ). And then there's that whole country verses rock and roll thing...

I thought your post was fine.

[motocross269]

Part of my BASS Club's dues go towards an MUCC membership...Money well spent...

[djkimmel]

My goal is 300 anglers at the 2011,  Aug. 29 Lake St. Clair State Championship @ $60per angler?

$18,000 should be a good start to the general fund?

I thought the entry fee for the August 2010 state championship was $50? That is what I have in my notes.

[djkimmel]

Part of my BASS Club's dues go towards an MUCC membership...Money well spent...

That was another thing I tried to do over 10 years ago. Try to get all the local clubs to join also. It's a good idea (I think).