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It's always fun for me when I have some real information.
Some real facts. The 'skinny.' The 'straight poop.' In
other words, the truth. As I have very little of that,
much of what I write here is just opinion and thoughts
and questions. But, this time; this time I have nailed
it. When on a normal, regular, innocent, nothing special
phone conversation with one of our sponsors I simply
happened to mention something about testing his products.
That I wouldn't know anything about them, I just fish some,
and not that often enough.
Now you may think I get into a lot of that 'testing stuff.'
The actual facts are this. No. Look, these guys who make all
this stuff not only know what the heck they are doing but are
not about to depend upon or trust my judgement or opinion for
much of anything. Period. And I like it that way.
Oh, sometimes one may want me to 'be seen' using one of his
products but that's about the extent of it. On the rare
occasion I have actually had a maker involve me with the
development of a product such as sending me a reel, rod or
vise which they think is 'market ready' or almost, for my
opinion. And that is what they get in return. I use the item,
often having to write a bit about it, my choice by the way,
or getting to keep it if I want to. Surprisingly, I mostly
send things back even though they would rather I keep them
and be seen with them. Good grief, I can be seen with just
so many 'widgets,' if you know what I mean.
I have made a few recommendations over the years and some
have even been listened to and I guess a couple acted upon,
but don't hold me to that too tightly. Some guys think that
these companies send out a whole lot of 'goodies' to have
tested and reported on, and to a lot of people too. For the
most part that just doesn't happen that way. Partly for
economic reasons and that the information they receive may
not have any value whatsoever. Now, do not confuse all of
this with what they call a 'Pro Staff.' That is a totally
different thing all together. All sorts of reciprocal
goings-on involved there. Nope, when a manufacturer makes
something he wants information he can trust. He wants it
right now, and occasionally he wants it from a 'name' in
the field. And that is how they do it. It is true that they
want and highly value the reaction and suggestions of the
real customers but that is handled after the product is
launched.
Anyhow, this particular outfit has a group of twelve that
it sends product to. Some are big-name but mostly not and
some you have never heard of and won't. With the combined
information from a 'known source' the opinions can be
correlated and relevant decisions developed. The group is
well known by and trusted by the manufacturer and the
information carries relevant weight, good or bad. The group
will usually consist of a wide assortment of guys and talents
and judgement methods and opinions. It takes all of this to
bring you the very best they can.
And now you know not only the rest of the story...but the
truth, at least as I see it today. ~ JC
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