Everything's Gonna Be AlrightCommentary on the "Review" BlogFebruary 12, 2006 The response to the Review blog has been absolutely incredible. I had no idea that it would be received as powerfully as it was. The phone calls and emails have been 100% in support of the words written - 100%! That doesn't happen often in anything. Interestingly, many of the calls and emails referenced the negative aspects of the blog to such a degree that it made me think about the whole situation some more. You see, that blog was not meant in a negative manner. It was an attempt at honesty, at paraphrasing the thoughts and feelings of the many anglers who fish the tours. It was also meant to be stimulating and thought provoking. Apparently, it did that part quite well. Now, with all that said, I think a short commentary is in order - a note of appraisal that I hope will focus our energies on what we have - and NOT on what we wish we had. It is human nature to be attracted to the negatives in a situation. That is because no one has a problem with things that are good and we inherently want to improve those things that are perceived as not so good. It is these "not-so-good" things that are the subjects of intense conversations that are stimulating, thought provoking, and controversial. And this is not a bad thing because discussion of controversial issues is the very foundation of change. For better or worse it is the things that people do not agree on that pave the road for change. It's very simple. We have three open redfish tours - the IFA, the FLW, the RFC. Pick your tour or combinations thereof, choose your events, and fish on! But do fish. We have come a long way very quickly and it sometimes seems as though we expect to have the whole shooting match running at wide open throttle right away. Ain't gonna happen! Here's why. A mountain, a pyramid, a fortress - all are stable, rock-solid structures because they are built on a solid, broad base of strength that supports the top. It is no different with our sport. Before we can reach that top level of truly professional competition, we need a broad base of redfishing fans and participants, of sponsors and media relations, of publications and marketing and television. We need organizations and clubs, local tournaments and grassroots level efforts, seminars and sports shows. All these are a part of that base of strength. And we, as participating anglers, are a part of it all. We hold our future in our own hands! The most important thing we can do is exactly what we are doing right now. Every tournament, every TV show, every seminar, every article, every blog, every new sponsor, every angler introduced to redfishing - all combine to bring us a little bit closer to our dream of a professional tour with all the trimmings - it is much closer than you may know. Right now we are at a necessary plateau in the development of this sport and it can be a bit longer or a bit shorter. That depends on how many of us are willing and able to continue to support and develop our sport - at every level - along the way until that final stage can be achieved. Then we can climb that hill too. Who among us, just three seasons ago, would have stood up in a crowded room and said that we would be fishing for that kind of money? The point?
>>> Go back and read that last sentence again, then read on <<<
Make no mistake about it, over the past several years we have witnessed
So, you see, while we may disagree with some aspects of the tours, it is intelligent and rational discussion about the "not-so-good stuff" that will create change that will be followed by progress and growth. The end result? All things considered, we're at a pretty good place and moving forward at a pretty fast pace - let's go fishing!
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