For everyone who was upset about people selling fishing info and GPS data on the best fishing holes, FFF is now in that business. See page 12 of the Summer issue of Flyfisher (FFF mag). There is a new paid access website www.flyfisherguide.com with all the data on all the best spots on the best rivers for purchase with some split going to FFF. Charter membership is $39.95. I would buy it for kicks but I don’t think they have anything on Mich yet. I am indifferent to this subject but I am quite sure it will generate some discussion. By the way, I distribute info on Michigan fishing sites for free on my website. Most of it is also available from Mich DNR. Some even has GPS coordinates although I can’t possibly see of what use they are in this state with all the roads being well mapped.
Bob,
I would respect this if FFF would cut the bull and just ask for $39.95, for a donation.
Having access to Google Maps solves the road directions problem.
Selling GPS coordinates is similiar to selling Snake Oil.
Let’s say you have purchased coordinates and you have to learn how to use your portable GPS in order to find the coordinates… Just forget all that crap and go fishing!!!
Doug
I for one have no problem with GPS coordinates. Its the selling of fishing holes that I dislike. I also give this knowledge away. I’ve mapped a number of places to fish in my county and created a power point presentation that I’ve shown at local events. I’ve also give a copy to the state Anglers Ed program as well as the Conte Wildlife refuge.
Thing is that I don’t like selling it and I don’t like someone who doesn’t fish an area to be giving away info about it. That info is earned by people who fish it and it should be their’s to give away or not.
PS Send me a PM if you want to fish in Franklin County, MA. I probably can give you a place or two, at no cost!
Here in NE Ohio we had a fella put together a DVD of the best fishing spots on our major steelhead rivers (complete with GPS coordinates), and offer it for sale online and in the tackle shops. There was the anticipated uproar by the local “Steelhead Gods” (aka the guys without jobs who live on the rivers chasing chrome) that the fishery would go straight to hell because hundred of out-of-state fishermen would buy the DVD and come to Ohio to pillage our put-n-take fishery (400,000 nasty tasting steelhead smolts stocked annually). Well, the crowds never came, the devastation never happened, and interestingly, we had the storm of the millennium one year ago today, and the rivers were trashed like we’ve never seen before, and probably never see again in our lifetime. Everything changed; holes were filled in, holes were created, logjams were created and many were destroyed or relocated up to a mile away. All that work flushed away in one storm.
Truth be told, most rivers that are subject to seasonal flooding change enough each year to render any GPS data useless within 12 months. This offer to sell coveted information is just another entrepreneurial effort to make a quick buck off the undereducated fisherman. We are fortunate to belong to the FAOL family where this information is discussed & analyzed so we can make informed decisions.
JC,
The article is a regular blurb - not an advertisement. The exact words are “Part of the membership fee will go to the Federation of Fly Fishers as a donation.” also re: the book sales, “Part of the proceeds from the book sales will also go to the federation.”
I happen to think the FFF is a top drawer organization and I am a member (prerequsite for Anglers of the AuSable of which I also am a member). People reading this should make up their own minds whether the end justifies the means - if, in fact, they even need any justification. On some other sites I have seen the FFF criticized as to their fund raising practices including charging for yearly FFF instructor certification. I do not have a problem with that but some people seem to. But if people have trouble with the FFF instructor fees, they may certainly have trouble with this too.
I will scan the article and send it to you. I think the website requires you to be a member of something or another to get in. I was asked for a password which I assume costs money.
If this subject will be too controversial and gets away from the real purpose of the sight JC, please blow it away and accept my apology.
“Our organization is 100% affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF). Supporting a fine organization like FFF helps support the Anglers through membership programs and FFF re-investment. Voting members of the Anglers are required to become members of FFF.”
The hitch is “voting members.” I’ll have to ask Rusty what that really means.
Bob,
Please accept my apology. I have had a rough day (there is no doubt tomorrow will be better!) You didn’t do anything wrong and please continue to post.
Doug
I got the scoop on the website - it’s www.flyfishersguide.com and it’s going live in a couple-three-four weeks. It won’t sell GPS to any honeyholes - just GPS coordinates to Fishing Access Sites and campgrounds, etc.
"The Web site will offer detailed information on the best waters in each state, starting with detailed interactive maps of the waters. The site will show all of the access points along with GPS coordinates, cfs flows, public and priivate land, roads, hatch charts, current weather reports, detailed hub city inforrmation and USGS maps.
Each water has its own write-up, including how and when to fish it and links to the fly shops and sporting good stores that serve the river.
The site will offer periodic news articles from noted fly-fishing writers on the current fishing hot spots for each state. There will also be a chat room where avid fly fishers can exchange information and post photos about their latest fly-fishing experiences.
The site currently features 100 of the best blue ribbon waters in Montana and Colorado. Wilderness Adventures Press will be adding waters in Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, Northern California, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona during the fall of 2007.
Charter memberships are $39.95.
The membership is good for the rest of 2007 and for all of 2008. Part of the membership fee will go to the Federation of Fly Fishers as a donaation. Please make sure that you enter our code - FFF - when you sign up.
The site will also offer all of the publisher’s fly-fishing guides for sale. Part of the proceeds from book sales "lvill also go to the Federation.
Wilderness Adventures Press will be at the FFF Fly Fishing Show and Conclave at booth 21. Stop by to see a live display of its new Web site. Now people can easily find out about the best fly-fishing opportunities and plan their fishing trips online at www. flyfishersguide.com . " from “Flyfisher” magazine. Summer 2007
I have no problems with selling gps marked fish ing holes. I wonder how many fishermen get ripped off. If i am going some place new i post on this forum and I recieve all the info that I need. THANKS TO ALL THE GREAT FLY FISHERMAN ON THIS SITE
