Things on my mind that are bugging me

[Jennie@ifish]

Three things weigh heavily on mind, this morning, concerning ifish and ifishers.

First off, I want to express my disappointment in ifishers lack of attendance in meetings that benefit your experiences on the river. We need you. We need me. I am guilty of not attending, also, the meetings that are set up that would benefit from us. I am about to join the Gillnetters Association. At least they can get their folks to stand together. (Note, I won't be, but you get my point!)
I am sad that there are so many of us, and so few pull for the majority's weight.
We have so many, many members, and so many that simply just read, too! Why can't we make a difference? I was always so proud of ifishers for this very reason. How have we changed? How can we change, for the better? By making a difference! Can we all make a little more effort this year to work as a united force? Yes, we can. Please help ifish and our sports fishing this year. Plan to attend a meeting. You might just enjoy it! :smile:

Secondly, I have come up with a term that is making me increasingly nervous, and unsettled. It is called "I-SLAM." It is a technique used on ifish, and other Internet sites, to bully a manufacturer into doing things. Sometimes it's fair, but sometimes it is not. I have heard that a few of you have had personal beefs with a manufacturer, and if you do not get something resolved to your satisfaction, you actually threaten to bring it to ifish. That is downright rotten! Ifish is a powerful force. You know why? Because we have credibility. If you use ifish in this manner, we will no longer have that credibility. There is a difference, here, see. There is "Using" ifish. And, there is "Abusing" ifish.

Using ifish can consist of bringing a real problem to ifishers attention, with fairness and respect.

Abusing it, could be by not being completely fair to a business. Taking an emotional stance, and building on it, saying bad things about them when they cannot or may not see it to respond... That's not fair.
Try to state your case factually.
Sign your real name.

If ifish cannot come to an understanding with your complaints, or if we do not have time to research if you are telling the truth, ifish may just delete your stand, and let you fight it out, personally. We simply cannot find out the truth in all matters. It turns into a he said-she said, and ifish is neither judge nor jury.

Also, be aware that there are trolls present on ifish. Some companies actually have their employees post for the good of their company. Sometimes this is in defense, but sometimes it is just outright promotion. Unfortunately, it takes much work and research to find these characters out. When I do find them out, I try to handle it with class, privacy, and understanding, but it's difficult for me.

And lastly, there has been, on occasion, requests for certain ifish products. I can't tell you the number of people, (well, yes I could, if I looked it up) who wanted patches from ifish. I paid for them, and had them made. I think I have sold less than 10, in two years. The rest, I just decided to give away, and deduct as an advertising cost.
Then, last week you asked for warmer ifish hats. I called USIA and had them made. My reception from the work I did, the pictures I took, and the money I spent, was disappointing to me. Of course, no one wanted one, so I will pay for the hats, and have two new ones. :smile: This is just a personal issue, and can not really be resolved. I just thought I'd add it to my moan list [img]graemlins/program.gif[/img]
From now on, I guess I need at least 50 or so interested, and perhaps a deposit on items that you request. I shouldn't jump the gun.

Frank and Honest came to visit today, so I thought I'd share what they had to say.
:smile:

Jen

http://www.ifish.net
Ifish.net
Jennie Logsdon Martin
P.O. Box 3091
Bay City, Oregon
97107

[ 01-23-2004, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Ty]

Jennie u do an awsome job and I can't think u enough for how much I enjoy and use Ifish.

I hope I can only help and try to keep my posts on the up and up, even though I know we have had our differences in the past.

GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!

[FrogPond]

Jennie, I am sorry about not getting more politically involved. I really don't like getting involved with politics, because the decision makers are so incredulous. Maybe sheer numbers will make a difference, although I doubt it. It seems anymore you have to have big $$$ to have a chance at fighting any issue.

I am also sorry for not updating everyone on resolutions to problems with products I have expressed on this board. I will do that today!

Lastly...what about this warmer Ifish hat??? I had not heard about it. Is there pictures of them, are they really available? I think I want one!!

All in all, Jennie, you are doing a WONDERFUL job. I will try to be a better ifisher, I like this site to much to let it slip my mind.

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

First off, I want to express my disappointment in ifishers lack of attendance in meetings that benefit your experiences on the river. We need you. We need me. I am guilty of not attending, also, the meetings that are set up that would benefit from us. I am about to join the Gillnetters Association. At least they can get their folks to stand together. (Note, I won't be, but you get my point!)
I am sad that there are so many of us, and so few pull for the majority's weight.
We have so many, many members, and so many that simply just read, too! Why can't we make a difference? I was always so proud of ifishers for this very reason. How have we changed? How can we change, for the better? By making a difference! Can we all make a little more effort this year to work as a united force? Yes, we can. Please help ifish and our sports fishing this year. Plan to attend a meeting. You might just enjoy it!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Jennie, I here what you are saying and this is why I have been involved with an originization like the NW Steelheaders since I moved here in 1992...

People, don't complain about the state of our resource if you are not willing to participate...Jennie has hit the nail on the head here and it takes more than just complaining...

Go to a river someday and participate in a restoration or enhancement project...Go deliver eggs to the schools for the "Fish to Fry" programs...Donate your time if you can't donate the money...

Those of you who can donate your money...then do that by attending a NSIA or NW Steelheader function...

Participation is the key to making things better...

[Hawg Caller]

Jen. You run the MOST AWSOME SITE on the internet,Im sorry Im not as involved as I would like to be.Mostly personal issues,with a divorce and evrything my life is kind of crazy right now,I really want to get in on some of these meetings,I think cash flow and my being nervous about meeting new people keep me from getting more involved,I'll work on that.as for the I-slam, I think anything with "slam" in it dose'nt belong here.This site has been a God send for me and I would hate to see it go.The products you are putting up are great,again cash flow is real tough for me right now,but I hope to be a little better off soon and I'll grab any "Ifish stuff I can.I dont know if you have phone #s or anything, but maybee trying to get car pools or something togeather would help get people to meetings,You are right about us being a powerful force and I (we) should do what we can to make it work.For myself I either have time and no $$$ or $$$ and no time.right now I have lots of time, but not sure what I can do, but I'm willing,If there is anything specific I can do Just Yell. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.Keep up the good work,You may not feel it But you are Really appreciated,we need to show it more.thanks
Rich.

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

On the politcal issues is there anyway that you can set up a petition hat people could sign on here and in efect be there by proxy?

it seems most of th meetings and decisions are made in the portland area and I know the bulk of ifish patrons are from the portland area, but the people that live in the south valley or even further south would love to show our support too.

its a 2 hr drive for me one way after work to get up there then to sit thru a meeting and have to drive 2 hours back and get up for work the next day is pretty hard to do.

it seems like that with a pettition and signatures people that are close could make a showing and then say these people are also behind us on this issue.

you may already have something set up like that. I am not sure. I havent really been around the board that long to know.


Quasi.

.

[Rakkasan]

Jennie,

Welcome to the world of selling small orders and items. Unlike TH who is techincaly a small business I am even smaller....way smaller. I do not put out nearly as many rods as TH does. I mention TH because I am sure he deals with the same thing on a smaller scale in the fishing business

People say they want a rod or any product at that matter and then they back out. Then you are stuck with....well in my case a rod. I have learned the hard way. Now I ask for the money up front, mail a recipt to them and wait for the check to clear the bank before I even think about ordering the rod items. I may lose people by doing that, but the way I look at it is "if they are serious they will be there"

I guess what I am trying to say is get the money up front, set it aside, and then order. This way you are covererd. If they are uncomfortable with that then they must not be serious.

Sorry about your mishap. I know it sucks and makes you want to scream, but as the old saying goes CYA "Cover Your ***"

:smile:

[Dragfreedrift]

This board is great and does a great job.
Let me say this about the sportsmans participation in politics, etc.

Its not that we dont care, its just that we are all so busy with our own jobs...ie-not many of us depend on fishing like commercials, guides, etc.

Its true if we could band together, it would represent a large number of people. but most of us are trying to make a living in other fields and cant leave our jobs to run to Salem every other week to vent.


just my 2c...

HC

[Fshklr]

Jen,
some great points and with great concerns. Thanks for all you and others do.

As far as the patches go..I bought 1 this summer.
The warmer hats are cool, but would rather see a smaller patch on it and smaller patches made available to ifishers. I don't mind putting a large sticker on my truck etc but wearing such a large patch takes some getting used too. Any chance in making the patches in half size??

[Jerry Dove]

Hey folks, don't ever think that numbers of people do not count. We saved our coastal hatcheries last year, by shere numbers.We filled four rooms in Salem for one meeting and turned in a petition with 50.000 signature's on it. Belive it or not we could not have done it with out ifish! I have always said if you have time to fish, you have time to fight to protect the right to fish.

[fish-bones]

Hey Jerry.Iv,e been trying to get imformation on a movement to get rid of the gillnetters from our states with no sucess.If you can get that many signatures together, why didn,t you give me some ideas,at least to guide me and anyone to get this thing going.I get frustated waiting for the fishery,s Boy,s telling us the next bad news about there decisions about there gillnetter friends. I won,t rest until I see those bums out of our states. [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

fish-bones

Originally posted by jerry dove:
Hey folks, don't ever think that numbers of people do not count. We saved our coastal hatcheries last year, by shere numbers.We filled four rooms in Salem for one meeting and turned in a petition with 50.000 signature's on it. Belive it or not we could not have done it with out ifish! I have always said if you have time to fish, you have time to fight to protect the right to fish.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">

[Jennie@ifish]

Thanks for the nice comments and I appreciate the kind words.
Fish, yes! I know! The patches look big to me, too.
Unfortunately, I have to make use of these, before I re order. I think the new ones should be much smaller, too.
Anyhow, wouldn't you know it? I have the flu, or a bad cold, or something. I haven't been sick in a very long time. I was wondering why I was all bummed out. I'm sick! [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Still, these things play on mind, and it feels good to air them.

I hope we can do better in the future.

Jen

[SafetyChain]

Jen,

First of all, I can say is Thank you!

But if you want to get rid of all that stuff, I suggest showing up at Cathedral tomorrow. Probably the biggest concentration of ifishers ever and with the smack talk, those without ifish paraphernalia could be humilated into buying :grin:

[ 01-23-2004, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: SafetyChain ]

[5-Cents]

Getting involved in the process takes someone that really can donate time and resources to lead "everyone" else, rally the troops so to say. Maybe you should have a sign up sheet with people that want to get envolved, elect a leader and have the leader appoint team captains that are in charge of getting 8-10 people each involved. You have to build a hirearchy to create a fast response... It's a lot of work but I am sure it would be worth it in the long run.

If you start that list you can put my name on it!

[andy-ap emerger]

Well done Jennie!


ap
[img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

[hankstr]

Jen you and all the other admin staff are great to work with thanks alot Hankstr [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Originally posted by Kentucky Hog Hunter:

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Jennie, I here what you are saying and this is why I have been involved with an originization like the NW Steelheaders since I moved here in 1992...

Go deliver eggs to the schools for the "Fish to Fry" programs...Donate your time if you can't donate the money...



I got to participate in the egg delivery to the schools a couple of times and it was a great time! Those kids really get into watching those eggs hatch and the little fry develop.
Thanks KHH for bringing this up
and Jennie just keep on keeping on! This is the best site and no one can dispute that.
What bugs me Jennie are those people who accept your hospitality here on ifish but then go over to other fishing forums and trash ifish

[ 01-24-2004, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

[fishnagain]

Hi Jennie, first of all I would like to say thankyou for this site and I hope you feel better soon.also I would like to share an experience I had today that demonstrated the power of I fish to me.I had been wearing my ifish hat today and while entering a particular store I got a warm welcome, and then again from another employee.I thought that was kind of strange and didn't know why until I asked for assistance,they were right there to find an answer to a question I had and at that point I figured it out and put 2&2 together.This is the best I have ever been treated at this store and I beleive it was because of the hat after reading your post I thought I would share this.

[sparse gray hackle]

GOOD JOB!!!!! WE LOVE YA BABE [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[The Overfishin Condition]

Jen- Sorry to hear about the troubles, and it's too bad that people don't follow through with purchasing requested items, on the other hand, look at the success of some things: hats, stickers, kwikfish, no snagging shirts! I love that there is so much representation out there. Anyway, I can't help you on the fleece hats, but will you be selling patches at the Sportsman show?! Cause I want to buy one, along with my Ifish Kwikfish. I plan on being there Wednesday. Thanks for a great site Jennie.

[Jerry Dove]

Hey, dish-bones, come to the sport show and come by booth 1252 close to the casting pond. Tillamook Anglers booth, and I will talk to you. It might cost you a couple dollars for a raffle ticket on some nice fishing gear, bukt I will give you some ideas. Jerry

[Jerry Dove]

sorry- fish bones-, I should watch what I type.

[skein]

And here's the link to the Ifish stuff!

Ifish Gear

I need some Ifish stickers, two hats, and some of the patches. I think I'll go with the multi-colored ones.

I had a hat, but can't find it. Since we're gonna paint the trim on the new boat green, I think we'll get the green and gold ones.

Thanks for the reminder!

Skein

[corkyking]

Even with all the time I have on my hands and as much as I enjoy reading posts, I still missed the Olympia mtg.

I wonder if setting aside a "political" area where such meetings or alerts could be posted would be useful?

Perhaps a closed informational area where a post would be reviewed first for relevance.

[boater]

Originally posted by corkyking:
I wonder if setting aside a "political" area where such meetings or alerts could be posted would be useful?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">i`d like to see that :smile:

Stew Quote: "What bugs me Jennie are those people who accept your hospitality here on ifish but then go over to other fishing forums and trash ifish"

Me too, Big Time Stew. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] for speaking up in the minority of speaking up.

With that, it's Game Over and total ignore for me with these people.

[Full Freezer]

Jennie, thanks for posting & letting us know how you feel. The issues you've brought up are important to us too.

I'm glad you brought up the involvment issue because hopefully the majority of ifish members will listen if you speak up about it. I really wish I knew the answer to the problem of uniting & encouraging our members to show up at meetings to voice their concern.

I had the same excuses as everyone else about work, time, family etc. I think I just got fed up & came to the conclusion I really didn't have the right to complain unless I DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I don't know excactly how I can contribute or help the cause other than JUST SHOW UP to the meetings. I didn't even introduce myself to anyone at the meeting last time!

What I do know is that I learned alot on how the process works & that many bodies present as a group do matter & can sway a vote or have definite impact on a meeting! I listened to others speak & watched those who made the decisions to see if they were paying attention and actually were involved in the process.

Lastly, to those of you who believe it's too far or your too busy, don't have time etc., the commercial have to drive, they have things to do, but THEY SHOW UP. They also get commissioners to see things their way and write letters to their elected representatives. Not to attempt to make you feel sorry for myself, but to show you it really isn't an excuse: My drive from Everett, WA to Oregon City, OR on February 5th will be about 4 hours one way. I will miss my youngest daughter's basketball game, sacrifice at least 8 hours on the downstairs remodel job I promised my wife I'd finish before Springer Season started (for real folks), and burn up gas, time & $$$$ just to attend the allocation meeting & hear the final vote.

Isn't it time we take the things we are passionate about seriously? We can't point the finger at anyone but ourselves for what we lose and it's no one's fault but our own if we continue to remain complacent & let others decide for us when we fish, for what & when.

Peace

[Steelheader69]

Well, I have some comments. First off, I hate politics. But, I don't go out of my way to attend meetings. Why? I have a life. If I totalled up how much time I put out on family functions, kids, their homework, dealing with personal stuff, PTA, school functions, volunteering at school, etc, I'd have almost ZERO extra time with my kids. But what I do is send in my emails to the state on problems (I'm on the WDFW regs list and get proposals first and send off my yea/neas to the state). But there are so many fights out there with my hunting, fishing, camping aspects, I'd have zero time for anything else. Now, if I was single, and only fished, then I'd be good to go. But I don't, so I do more the electronic/snail mail approach to voice my concerns (and do so, especially when I find problems and links posted on the boards which help out quite a bit for those of us without the time to run to these events).

BUT, I do spend some of my free time mentoring kids who don't have families who hunt/fish. I have a few students who I teach flytying to, free of charge. Teaching them to flyfish as well. I'd rather spend my free time I have helping them with that, and teaching them to respect the resource. Mailing my concerns gives me more time for that. Which, helps bring more concerned individuals to the resource who can voice their concerns.

I'd also add this. Jen, I've been in SAME boat. I've done alot of group orders for people. Luckily for myself, I can use all the flytying supplies. LOL. What I do now, if they want a group order, they pay up first. Once you have enough funds to pay off the order, then place it. Better to make them wait, then be stuck with all those extras. It sucks to do things this way, but better then being stuck with extras. Have you ever tried bringing those hats to I fish gettogethers??? I know they will sell alot faster when people can see them first hand and the captain of the board is selling them, then if you have the "out of sight out of mind" mentality of being online. Just an option for you.

[Jennie@ifish]

But, but, but... I paid upfront for my shipping for my old ifish decals that you promised, and I never did get anything. :depressed:
Whatever happened with those?
:smile:
Jen

[Steelheader69]

Didn't you get yours? I sent out a whole bundle all at once. Hmmmmmmm. Will have to check.

Will see, I do have some more left, and have the list here somewhere. Will send you some. Not bad price though, if you did prepay. I paid a couple bucks each for them, and giving them away for price of shipping. LOL. Plus, big difference over $0.37 and hundreds of dollars prepaying. Like current fly order I have up, right now is sitting at just over $2,000. A bit higher then what I had on those stickers at, hmmm, $2.50 total in everyone's costs. LOL.

[ 01-26-2004, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Steelheader69 ]

[Steelheader69]

I can't find the stickers. I know I sent a few out. Did STG get theirs? I know I rec'd a couple emails, but never could find their envelopes. I do know I sent them out with about 20 fly orders. So, not sure what happened. Will have to check out a few files. Rearranged my flytying desk, where I had these at. So not sure where I put them (cleared all my non flytying stuff out of the desk, only non flytying stuff is my bills). So, will have to do some searching and see if I can find the rest. Only had a bundle of about 7 go out (of the 18 or so I had envelopes sent to me).

[Jerry Dove]

Steelheader69--Trust me emails to the right folks helps a lot. This past Leg. session I was told that they never recived as many emails, calls and letters before on any subject as they did on the don't close our coastal hatcheries. It worked. Thanks. Jerry