Bill Monroe

[Space]

I would like to ask you a question that I'm sure you have been asked many times. Why is it that an outdoor state such as Oregon only has a small column for outdoorsmen once a week??? I think this every Sunday when I take the whole Arts section of the paper and set it to the side. I feel that there is enough stuff happening on a daily basis to warrant a column a day, a half a page a week or even a full page on Sundays. I would even go so far as to say that if half the Arts section was replaced with outdoor writings the only people that would notice the difference would be the outdoorsmen who read it. I would like to see more than what we have now. Something more in depth. I enjoy reading your column. I just want more of it to read.

Thankyou,

Jack S. Brockway

SPACE

[ 02-24-2004, 08:01 PM: Message edited by: Space Fish ]

[SKP]

Because we don't want anyone fishing our secret spots!

SKP

[skein]

Besides, if he starts writing more, it'll be almost like working for a living. Don't go wishing that on our Mr. Bill. :grin:

Skein

[STGRule]

More importantly, it isn't Bill who decides how much space there is for outdoors. It's the editors. THEY need to hear from you about what you want.

[jzell]

Bill,

Since we have your attention. I read in another thread (Theft at Clackamette Park) that you would put something about that in Thursdays article.

How about a more extensive article (Sunday edition) about this whole crime thing going on at fishing (and/or hunting) parking spots.

The public in general needs to be more aware of the crime going on while we fish.

PLEASE and Thank you Bill,

John

[Space]

Yes, I do wish more work on our Mr. Bill. I want him in the field where he belongs. Interviewing fisheries managers, snaggers, hatchery personel, gill netters and many others. People need to be aware of our valueable resources and how we the outdoorsmen are doing our part. Bill is in a great position to bring these issues and others to the public in a non biased way. I understand that the editors or higher ups are the ones who make the decisions. Work. I think there are many people who would love to trade jobs with our Mr. Bill. I for one would love to write about fishing and hunting and talk to others of the same mind. It's just not the profession I chose early enough in my life. We all make mistakes.


Thanks,

SPACE

[chinookin]

If we didn't like reading the stories, I don't think a sight like this would be possible. MORE STORIES.

[Hawg Caller]

T T T

[Bill Monroe]

Step 1: Don't call me mister.
Steps 2-10: Read step 1.

I just got home, so didn't see this until just now.

It's actually the first time today it's come up, but the question lingers daily...Yes, the editors know...and yes, it never hurts to tell them again and again.

Couple of things, though...

The old outdoor section was killed because sporting goods advertisers wouldn't leave the sports section to go into a tab. The realities of newspapering are that someone has to pay the bills.
Home and Gardens advertisers don't target sports readers and so were instantly attracted to that section.
With some of my steam lost, I suggested a critter column in the homes and gardens partly out of self-defense, but also because it's important to me that readers understand hunters and anglers also appreciate and nurture all wildlife. My first call, in fact was from a lady who, before even introducing herself, blurted out "I thought you just killed things!" I'm proud of that.

The wildlife column there took off and is the best-read of everything I write.

So that takes a little time...

About the same period, Tom McAllister retired and was not replaced, almost doubling my workload and cutting the need to devote as much outdoor space.

And, I've had an interest in environmental and scientific issues so I try to stay on top of those as well...

Meanwhile, I've worked hard to maintain a presence in the daily sports section...The column and the Thursday nuts and bolts are the space I'm given.

All that said, there is a push for some new readership surveys and sports will be a big part of that...probably in late spring or summer.

The sports editor knows there is a demand out there and has asked me to try for an outdoor centerpiece on the cover at least every other Thursday...Monday's Cabo feature was an example...although it wasn't a Thursday.

All that's going to take more of my time, but your ideas are good...I especially like the crime aspect and may try to do something with that by April.

Meanwhile, I'm working on a story about Canada goose research to sterilize local goose eggs so there aren't as many underfoot...I'm working on a major piece for our Lewis and Clark team that I don't want to talk about until it's published...I'm interviewing Steve King...looking at a list of ideas and getting ready to publish the spring fishing pages in early April...

It all takes time.

Did I mention we're remodeling the house?
That it's still goose season (and I'm addicted)?

I've even got some grandchildren around here somewhere...


So there...I know your needs aren't filled, but I'm pedaling as faster as I can...

Call me mister again and this thread ends...

(PS...I need the phone numbers of the two guys at the pizza party who punch lures out of old toasters...instant feature!)

[Rauly]

Geez when did you become Mr. Bill ......and I always thought hey you worked pretty good. Inquiring minds want to know. When will we get more of the stuff we enjoy reading.

Can you imagine having to do more field work Bill? That would just be horrible.

Rauly

[Jerry Dove]

OK, you want more of -- Bill. He will be the key-note speaker at the S.T.E.P. conference in Tillamook, March26-28. I'll bet he will have some real tales to tell. For further info. see Jen's front page under announcements. I just heard today that Lindsey Ball, Director of ODFW has ordered all of the Dept. Watershed directors and all Regional Directors to be at the conference to answer questions at the round table discussions. If you have questions about ODFW budget, how allotments are set, regulations, fish VS timber and etc., them get registered and be there.

[Bill Monroe]

Anyone want to join the fried fry under the old fir tree over there? I must've missed his first-post story...I'll bet it was a dandy from Sandy.

[lilnorthfork]

Definitely a case of not enough of a good thing. I too would like to see more of Bill. Why don't we just make this thread an editorial of sorts and pass it along to Bill's editor. Please, no pay for signatures. :grin:

[fishnpray]

Bill-

Thanks for all that you have done. It must be difficult to juggle all that you do and still get your pieces in and at the quality that they are. I'm a student, and looking at what to do, and must admit that seeing your work prompts some ideas. Keep it up!

-Luis

[WaterDog]

Bill, you do a fine job with the space your given.

Oregon is not the hickory shirted logger state anymore. Look around, this place is becoming more urbanized. :depressed: You look at the rivers and say, " boy is it crowded today". Go to Costco or Washington Square on the weekend. Talk about crowded. There are way more people interested in gardens and movies than catching a fish or shooting a deer. We who love to partake in fishing and hunting are only a small percentage of the population these days.

[Amahnee]

Easy there Bill. I am friend, not foe. Just throwing in some of my own sick humor. I'm on our side. I don't know if you remember me, but
I used to hunt out in N. Plains on Johnny's pond with Mr. Meyer. The other Bill. I would have responded alot sooner, but my ISP(Verizon)is not functioning properly out here in Sandy. The land of dial-up only service.

Dandy

[Navigator]

Bill --

I thought the story on Cabo on Monday was so you didn't have to pay for your vacation :grin: !

[letsfish]

I remember that Outdoors section, was that 15 years ago? Great stuff and then slowly it petered out. Great reading while it was there.

[Bill Monroe]

Thanks Amahnee...I shouldn't read these things at night with my finger on the trigger...Actually, Johnny finally sold and he and his wife moved into town. The new owners, a nursery, wouldn't let us back in so we hunt elsewhere these days. Call sometime.

Actually, advertising is still strong for outdoor, it's just in a pretty singular space. The state still sells about a million angling licenses overall and 300,000 or so hunting tickets so we're certainly not minimal.

And the Cabo story was a freebie. We paid for our vacation and it was fun to write...just wish the picture of the dorado over the ocean's surface had run...pretty spectacular. I'll save it...using another photo from that trip tomorrow...

Thanks all...gotta go to work...(it's a goose day)...

[hawgcatcher]

Bill I enjoy your columns, both in the sports section and in the Home and Garden. Good pieces. It is funny that editors don't stop to think how many fishers and hunters are out there and will read these articles.

One of the guides writes for the Argus and does pretty good when he writes but there are times when he isn't in the paper for several issues.

Keep up the work but take some time to fish and hunt once in a while. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[BUGLEMAN]

Bill

Nice job on the Cabo piece. I feel motivated to take a trek down there. I love Mahi Mahi.

I think you do a good job with the resources you are given. Sounds like to me that the question is resource allocation. It would be encouraging to see more resources dedicated by the Oregonian toward hunting, fishing and the outdoors. It is a moving part of our economy and the spirit of the NW. I hope that management gets the point and doesn't just check around the inner-green part of Portland.

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

Bill,

Cabo is an awesome place to fish. Fished there 2 yrs ag on xmas got a mahi mahi and a 120lb striper marlin. Where can i read your cabo article? I threw oiut mondays paper already...

[Bill Monroe]

Try this...

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/ore...1103169720.xml

[Jerry Dove]

OK!!! Over 6000 reg. on ifish.net. If Oregonian got email from each of us----gee I wonder what that wouild do. Let's see, the state was going to close costal fish hatcheries, ifish responded, we still have the hatcheries. Grant left channel two, ifish came through again, he is back on TV. Gee, maybe thet would have to hire Mr. Bill some help. Opps sorry, not Mr. Bill, but just plain Bill.

[Zodiac-Fisherman]

Bill.. Very nice article.. Surely does get you into the saltwater mood. Do you know much about our Albacore Fishery off the coast of oregon?

[judyfish99]

Bill, you can trade me jobs. I work at Ma Bell with a real cranky boss. I look forward to your thursday editorials. I would rather be fishing in a boat than locked up in a building close to Burnside.

[GutshotApe]

The editors of the Eugene paper think skiing, snowshoeing, mtn bicycling, rock climbing, etc., are outdoor sports so the R-G's thursday outdoor page rotates subject matter with no actual hunting or fishing coverage, other than the canned ODFW releases, about half the time....unless the outdoor guy is on vacation. But if he is on vacation, he would be the guy playing tennis or sailing or snowboarding or cross country skiing or mountain biking...and not the guy out fishing for dorado.

[Sore Back]

Thanks for getting this started Jack.