|
|
Posts: 67
| Slamr,
To me, a Pro whose business thrives via word of mouth possess these qualities: someone who's reached the pinnacle of success on his own. Someone who is wholehearted, who doesn't seek validation or recognition for his achievements, who contributes facts and not theories, and doesn't biasly endorse products.
Just my opinion, but as far as i'm concerned, they're few and far between.......
s54 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Endorsing products one believes in and represents in public is part and parcel of operating a business as a professional angler.
Please allow me to illustrate with several videos from the FLW Walleye Tour Championship underway in Bismarck, ND today. The final ten are fishing for up to $100,000.00 today in winnings and contingencies from the FLW and their Sponsors in a no-entry-fee championship filmed by Lindner Media and broadcast on Versus by FLW Walleye. Al and Ron are both here supporting the sport.
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1980
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1984
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1985
Here's some true National Professional Anglers Association Pros who didn't make the cut to the final ten working for the future of the sport with kids and families last night at the local Wal Mart:
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1981
Sure, Muskie angling has a ways to go to get to this level, but these guys and the Pros fishing the AIM circuit are the folks you see on TV, in the magazines, and at the shows representing the industry. SOme are full time guides as well, and carry through the entire package making a living in the business. Some are TV personalities, writers, and offer their services to sport shows and fishing clubs. Some own or work for lure companies, etc. Not any different from Muskies really, just a larger segment of the overall freshwater fishing business. All are truly dedicated to the sport, or they wouldn't be here. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 67
| After viewing those videos, it's evident that those anglers are a breed apart.
Thanks for sharing!
s54 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I honestly believe the main difference between the AIM and FLW Walleye Pros and competitive muskie anglers is opportunity. Here's the finals; a $105,000 check was handed out. Second place was $39,000.00.
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1989
http://walleye.outdoorsfirst.com/watch.asp?id=1990
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 265
Location: McGuire AFB, NJ | It took me a while of reading this post before I finally got the context of the original question asked.
A pro IMO is someone who dedicates their god given talents to a particular trade/sport/business. Words that would describe a pro would be educated, hard-working, talent, experience, and integrity.
If were talking musky fishing I could list a slew of names of people that I belive are pro's, but would you question great angelrs that don't attach the "pro" to their names. I can't say I have ever seen Doug Johnson or Dick Pearson ever attach the word "pro" to their name. They don't claim to be, they let their results and experience speak for itself.
There is a local angler in my area that tiresly self promotes himself and his line of lures. Sure he puts fish in the boat, but I have always questioned his motives. Anytime I see an article/post/interview he caught all his fish on none other than his very own lure. Day or night, summer or winter. It drives me nuts, but of course there's the polar opposite as well. There is another well established fisherman in my area that has his own line of lures as well, but if he is putting fish in the boat using something other than his stuff he says it no questions asked. For me that is the perfect def of a pro.
As for the original question asked, I'm keen on what you were hinting at. In a case like that by allllll means put "greatest musky fisherman ever" in front of every name. Its going to a #*^@ good cause! Thats why I choose to bid on one of the trips.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 4343
Location: Smith Creek | Chiropracters refer to themselves as "Doctor" even though they didn't get a PHD or go to Med School, any yahoo on the East Coast that owns a boat refers to himself as "Captain" even though they never earned that rank in the Armed Forces, and anyone who's ever made a buck muskie fishing can refer to himself as a pro. There's only a handfull of muskie pro's out there and we know who they are. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 32935
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If a boat operator has a Captain's license that operator is a Captain, and as far as I know, anyone who is on fed water guiding or operating commercially has to have that license so a number of the folks you refer to might actually BE Captains by license. I'd make one other cautionary statement...it isn't necessarily any single persons 'personal opinion' that makes one a Pro or for that matter how, what, or when they promote themselves or the products they represent. There's Pros who are exemplary in their conduct and overall stature, and then there's Pros who are...not so much so. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2361
| Overall the opinions on this matter are so important, that I have become interested in when happy hour really starts. Anyone care to give an opinion on that? |
|
| |
