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| the funny
the goofy
the stories
the big fish
people stuff
those fish are stupid, and we're even stupider for fishing for them!! ahahah
i want the laughs
when i went with Gregg Thomas this year and last for 2 days......all we did was jag around, laugh, tell stupid stories, laugh, and bust my dad's cahonies. this year, we actually caught some fish in those 2 days, so that was a good bonus too.
personally, im tired of the why's, where's whens whatnots and cold front proposals/instructions. my last 4 months fishing have been more focused on having fun and enjoying it and the time i had with whoever was with me.
so, me, i'd like to read some funny and even inspirational stuff Lee.
Maybe, JUUUUUUST maybe, throw some river/flowage junk in there too hahhahah!
Congrats on a great season man!
G |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Mike, you are probably right. And I like that it is on here because I really dont even have the money to buy a subscription to any magazine, nor do I have time to read them due to my school work and me actually trying to learn things this year!
Mike |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | lambeau - 12/13/2006 9:11 PM
lol...i just think the internet is a better place for that kind of discussion.
jlong really brings that kind of give-and-play out in this environment, and i really really enjoy it.
you can't do quite the same thing in a magazine article.
Lambeau..... I think you are correct about the internet being the better place to toss around some really wild ideas. But, WHY can't more of that flavor be added to magazine articles? I'm not suggesting people publish their Wild @ss Guesses (WAG's). There are a lot of sound theories out there catching a lot of fish for people.... but those theories are nearly impossible to ever prove or confirm.... so they go unpublished.
Take WIND again as an example. To just leave it as vague as "Use the Wind" is totally useless. Wind most certainly offers the angler opportunities.... and ATTEMPTING to understand WHY is a big part of that. It might be reduced light penetration. It might be current related. It might be moving or activating the food chain. It may offer some outstanding opportunities on the leeward side of the lake or structure (seiche, eddies, etc.). All of that stuff is speculation in respect to how it impacts muskies and musky movements. That's why I really enjoyed that Pete/DickP article. Pete discovered his "patterns" by investing a LOT of time on the water and used Trial&Error. To me... people read articles trying to SHORTEN that learning curve. Pete's part of the article offered some great starting points for those who are content with a "Monkey See, Monkey Do" approach to angling. Pete caught fish doing it this way.... so I'll try it too. OR.... you could read the other half of that article by DickP and TRY to understand WHY the wind creates opportunity.... and attempt to apply it in a way that improves your PREDICTIONS of success. Not just recognize opportunity when you stumble acrossed it.... but think ahead and predict those opportunities so you can better hunt/seek them out.
And Lambeau..... as for your assumption that I have a "personal agenda" with this subject.... YOU BET I DO. Lee recognizes that their is a need in the written publication world for something NEW or BETTER to help break out of the redundant doldrums we are starting to encounter.... and I'm hoping LEE can become that "change agent". STARTING to push the envelope with the WHY part of the equation is what I feel is a good place to begin that requested CHANGE.... albeit in a slow and disciplined manner. I personally do not feel there is any significant RISK with sharing ideas.... as long as they are clearly communicated as just that.... IDEAS and not FACT. I read Musky Hunter, Esox Angler, and any article or internet message board for just that..... IDEAS. I then decide for MYSELF which stuff to believe has merit. Magazines shouldn't be viewed as Instruction Manuals.... but rather an Idea Bank. Most articles are just one man's opinion anyway......
Edited by jlong 12/14/2006 7:28 AM
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| Most articles are just one man's opinion anyway......
Actually, they imply some sort of confirmation from the publisher, tooses... As, why would articles be rejected? Could it be lack of merit, proof (pictures), acceptance and that ugly word, EGO?
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| Skill-building articles that go into REAL details about things like how to read you lakes maps and plan a strategy, how to use your electronics - with real details about programming set-ups, etc.
I used to susbsribe to BassMaster and my favorite articles were "A day on the water with ..." where they took a pro, put them on an unknown lake and reported in sort of a diary format how they fished the lake - spots they chose and why, what baits they threw on the different spots, how wind, weather etc affected thier choices, etc. Sometimes the famous pro was successful catching fish and sometimes not, but the learning / value in the articles was in how they approached the day. I learned an aweful lot from those articles.
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Beleive it or not, much of what some of the big 'names' write is a based or was based on a once WAG as well. Many of the articles I read are based on one weekends success, or one days' success. I often question why an article need be written about a tactic or pattern that produced just once for an individual, or very rarely, but I still read it knowing it could come into play at some point. WAG's are what I live on much of the time, and it is they, that get me to the end point I desire on alot of bad days. We can use science to tell us why the wind works, why turnover pushes fish here or there, or why fish use a shallow flat in the middle of August with temps in the high 70's. After debunking the hard rules, it is time to break out the WAG's(thanks for the term j), and go with it, and simply beleive. Maybe an entire article written about some of your/our WAG's..?...
At any rate, I am a bit bored with blatent advertisement by some of the once fine contributors, and vannila filling much of the rest. Again, I read it and always pick something up in each issue. Also, my definition of vannilla might be groundbreaking material for some. There needs to be basic articles in each issue, but I feel there is room for some of these BST works. I feel Lee has asked a great question. What do people want?? It is hard to come up with new material no doubt(there isn't alot of it anymore). Go out on a limb and write what works for you, and why you feel it works. In fact, it is always why we 'think' it works. We never really truly 'know' the whys... do we?? |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Reef Hawg - 12/14/2006 10:18 AM
What do people want?? It is hard to come up with new material no doubt(there isn't alot of it anymore). Go out on a limb and write what works for you, and why you feel it works. In fact, it is always why we 'think' it works. We never really truly 'know' the whys... do we??
Well.... some people need to be told WHAT to do. And that is fine.... and they are probably the people completely satisfied with today's publications.
Versatility is a BUZZ word lately. Its OK to publish articles suggesting an angler needs to be VERSATILE. Well... sometimes to be versatile you either need to run on just what Reef Hawg suggests.... what you THINK might work. Sometimes you may run after a Wild @ass Guess or perhaps you may concoct some sort of "theory" that seems to have some merit. Both can work.... and both are simply IDEAS.
Anyway.... I am now beating a dead horse on this issue.
And I think I got MY opinion out in the open.... and I'm intelligent enough to recognize and respect that there will most certianly be differing opinions out there.
Change never comes easy, but you gotta start somewhere. |
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| HOW ABOUT SUSPENDED MUSKIES IN THE SPRING |
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Posts: 1168
| Even if someone has a WAG as to why something works that suits me fine. Hearing someone say; "I don't know, it just works..." isn't satisfying enough for me. Even if it is something ridiculous that is given for an explanation that I might not agree with I'm all for learning/considering that sort of stuff.
I like those articles where you feel the need to re-read them a few times to absorb it even deeper. A fair amount of stuff we see now you can just pick up at a newstand, skim the pages, and you'll be set to go. For the life of me I can only recall specific things from maybe 5 articles in MHM or EA over the past 3-4 years and those are from the articles that really challenged me to think. Those are the kinds that get the juices flowing on how to adapt a certain tactic or idea to your home water. It doesn't tell me WHAT to do, but instead leaves it up to me to envision the hows and whys and leaves it up to me to apply them.
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Posts: 288
Location: Montreal, Que. Canada | Lee
How about a Bucktail/spinnerbait edition with retrieves of your "Topwater tuning" articles. To tuff to bring something new to the table?
David
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| Being a half cen
Edited by Sponge 6/26/2007 7:02 AM
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Posts: 171
| Lee,
MNSteveH hit it pretty close.
I'd like to read a story about a guide taking clients on the water one day. What's he thinking, why does he start here or there, when to run/gun or slow down....give us rookies and amateurs the thought process. It can be fiction or non-fiction. Am I trying to get a guided trip without the cost? You bet I am! (except for the subscription cost)
Awesome triple there last month. I am in awe.
ErieBoy75 |
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| I'm not real good at keeping records. I would like to see a small article on how some of the guides keep track of fish. What you include in your records, format etc.
Thanks
Scott |
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Posts: 2088
| five worst days of the year and your five best days of the year
What were the conditions (time of year , baits being throw, local weather, moon phase, water temps, barametric pressure, thoughts on why the fish were off or on and how many beers were drank the night before ) |
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| 100% with ulbian, very well put. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sponger,
Box turtles make more sense than some of the stuff I've seen....Actually had one for years, cool pet but REALLY tough to train.
Hey guys, remember that there are not a ton of highly qualified authors out there in the Muskie world. Those who decide to write to make a living had better have another job.
Magazines with specific focus and strict regional attraction don't pay much for an article. They can't, the money just isn't there. As a result, the writing is done for the most part by guides, tackle builders, and others interested in forwarding their careers. That WILL shine through, there's simply no avoiding it.
That said, to answer Lee's question, I'd like to see articles well written with the basics of 'Journalism 101' adhered to at least in some recognizable form. Simply put, I enjoy well written pieces despite the fact the content may not be all that incredible. Well written works go a long way toward adding journalistic credibility to a magazine, and a long way towards subscriptions. Editing and re-writes are tough, time consuming, and a pain, but really pay off in the final analysis. Good to excellent photo support is also a good thing. I'm amazed at how few guides and fishing pros know how---REALLY know how--- to take a good picture, and even more amazed at the lack of understanding how important those shots can be.
Content is king, and that's a fact, but quality content really rules.
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| What about an article from a "kids" point of view, to help both fathers and kids get into muskie fishing more, and thus adding the "fishing partner's of a lifetime?" |
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| What about an article from a "kids" point of view, to help both fathers and kids get into muskie fishing more, and thus adding the "fishing partner's of a lifetime?"
says the man who's son has been published... lol!
and in fact, that article is one of my favorites because it does offer a different point of view than the typical article written by a guide. it's one of the good things about the Muskies Inc magazine, they can take a bit more or a "risk" with who and what they publish.
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| Lambeau,
You knew where I was going...Weston has polished his writing skills as of late....but it is so cool that Muskies Inc. allows for kids to have articles published. He enjoys writing ALOT...he is taking two college writing courses, even as a senior in high school.
I am always encouraging him to write...and he does. I can honestly say this...my 2 sons are my two best fishing partners....I can't tell you how awesome a feeling it is to be fishing with these two great kids!!
Sincerely,
Donnie  |
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Posts: 462
Location: Madison Wi. Chain | I often enjoy stories about fish tales. It allows me to get to know the writer and helps me think about my own experiences. For example, an article about the guides favorite baits, or supertankers, or the first thing I usually turn to in EA is the blurb written by Pearson. Something about his writing that always draws me in. Also, it seems as though he is often just thinking out loud and I can identify well with his ideas. BG |
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Posts: 1
| I would like to see the five (or ten) best places to live if you are a muskie fisherman. The In-Fisherman magazine did this in the early 90's or thereabouts, and it was memorable. Of course, it pertained to multi-species angling instead of muskies. You would set your own criteria, and see which area met them best.
I would also like to see a strategy laid out for the 12-month pursuit of muskies, starting south and moving north, then south again. A January through December guideline with hot lakes selected (maybe based on stocking rates or year-class strength), not necessarily always legendary lakes.
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | I like the "Day with a Guide Documentary"series idea..... especially if its written with the idea of getting at what's going on inside their head throughout the day. Why did you fish spot #3 that day? Sometimes the answer might simply be "Because its a good spot and we had to drive right past it in order to get to spot #4". Sometimes you fish a spot simply because its a good spot and you never drive past it. Sometimes you recognize an opportunity and attempt to predict which spot will produce. Sometimes you are exploring. Etc etc. Whoever came up with that topic idea.... ITS A GOOD ONE, in my opinion.
Other topics I'd take the time to read:
1. Soft Plastics. When do they have an advantage over other lures.
2. Soft Plastics. When are they simply the "Self Fulfilling Prophecy" and when are they essential?
3. Soft Plastics in the slop. Where, when, why, and HOW.
4. Finesse vs. Speed. How do you choose?
5. Developing a Pre-game Strategy.
6. Adjusting your strategy DURING the game.
7. Prediction Power. How to recognize "windows" of opportunty.
8. "Spot on the spot". How to find them. How to master them.
9. Fighting BIG Fish. Once you hook up, how do you get them into the net?
10. Boat Position. Where should your boat be, and how do you keep it there.
I'd like to see a dozen different authors write these same articles... and then compare their OPINIONS and SPECULATION. |
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Posts: 5230
| Look at how the Bassmasters magazine is setup.Lee you are a tournament fisherman look at all the info one gets from the bassmasters mag covering all the tournaments in an issue.If you need a magazne to get an idea I will send you and old one.I am sorry for bringing up a four letter word(Bass)on this site.Bill
Edited by 0723 12/19/2006 7:27 PM
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Posts: 56
| Hey everyone,
I must say I am impressed with all of your ideas! I was leary of posting this question for unknown reasons but, I am glad I did. I have already made a copy of the responces and will keep it for future reference.
I'm sure that I am not the only person reading this that will take this to heart. So thanks again and feel free to post a couple more. They have been helpful.
For you Mr. Long, man you have got some time to think. Nice job.
Lee Tauchen |
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Posts: 699
Location: Hugo, MN | Things I like to see in an article which are really few and far between are diagrams of spots must be the marine in me but when I read a story about hitting an inside edge with rocks adjacent I'd like to see a diagram of what the author is talking about. Which way are you approaching the spot how are you tossing you baits, etc.
Occasionally I'd also like to see an article written at a novice level. I understand many of the terms and techniques that are thrown about but I didn't when I started once in a while I'd like to see someone explain in painstaking detail what they mean by "start by ripping Bull Dawgs at the weed edge".
Perhaps an article on how to be more efficient in tough spots how do you successfully throw a Bull Dawg in slop and get it back to the boat How do you throw anything in slop and retrieve the lure without it fouling, etc.
Just my 2 cents. Great topic and I hope authors have taken the time to read all of the great ideas here.
Edited by marine_1 12/19/2006 10:27 PM
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Posts: 171
| OK, Lee, here's one more......how the heck do you perform a decent figure 8 when the weeds are near or at the surface? I got tangled up in the weeds figure 8ing a couple big ones on LOTW in Sept....AAARRRGGGG.....you work so hard to raise a fish and then screw it up at the boat.....AAAARRRRGGGGG....pretty easy to do a decent 8 in open water.
ErieBoy75 |
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