Promoting Fishing

Maybe I'm having an off day, or perhaps the hang-over from this weekend is still taking it's effect. But whatever it is, I'm starting to develop a grudge with some key players in the fishing community.

First - All us fishermen hear every year, "Take a kid fishing" or "Help grow fishing". Not that I'm against the growth in the fishing community, but have you ever thought about exactly WHO is making these statement/questions? If you take a closer look, it's more than likely the fishing tackle companies that are behind this campaign. And do you think they care? Heck no... they just want more people to buy more fishing tackle.

How do I know this?.... read further -

Second - Even if you've never seen it, there is a huge tax placed on all fishing goods sold inside the U.S.. The tax dollars raised from this are suppose to go to the development and promotion of fishing nation wide. Granted, supposedly a chunk of these fishing dollars are suppose to go to state GFP's, who in turn help develop local fishing spots. Not a bad plan... but the tax is a whopping 10%!! Thats a truck load of money being swallowed up by state and local large-mouth-blow-hards, with no real proof of exactly where it's going.

Or perhaps it's going here....

Third - An organization called Take Me Fishing was introduced to help promote 'youth fishing' amongst current and potential anglers. An entire PR campaign, with top-quality professional ads and slogans were created for their one and only purpose. Not bad really... but are we getting what we're paying for? The organization is owned and operated by the RBFF (Recreation Boating & Fishing Foundation), who in turn is driven to promote the sports of boating and fishing. However, if you look at their website here , you can see that the stakeholders of this so-called 'Hero Group' is made up entirely of fishing tackle companies, boating companies, and of course government agencies. Hmmmmm... Government Agencies.... Gee, do you think that this organization is getting money from that 10% Tax that everyone is paying? Nothing up front says so, but if "I" worked for them, I would sure make that happen. It's only common sense.

So whats so evil about that third point? Well, if we're paying an outlandish 10% tax on fishing tackle goods, and that money is going to an organization entirely geared for the promotion of fishing.... then why the heck don't I EVER see commercials on TV for it? Where are the radio ads? How come you never see anything in the newspaper? Nothing! Nadda! Zip!

Oh thats right... they produced some commercials that you can see on-line. But if these commercials were EVER aired on TV, then surely they must've been on the fishing show's (that NOBODY watches), or during that 4 hour paid programming marathon at 3 a.m. Sounds to me like fishermen are paying some big money, and getting NO results.

In the end, we should all take a kid fishing.... but consider using a broken branch for a pole, kite string for line, and a dime for a fishing lure.