Posted 1/5/2009 9:16 AM (#353158) Subject: National Professional Anglers Association '09 Meeting, Muskie Anglers Welcome!
Posts: 99
Made the trek to Milwaukee this past weekend to the NPAA meeting. First I must say I am no full time tournament fisherman, got a job, bills and family so they come first, I like to fish and fish competitively as much as family and money allow. So you don't have to be Skarlis, Neu, Parsons or Candle to belong. It is a excellent orginization to learn from these folks though, they are willing to share their knowledge on how to network, gain sponsorships the right way, these folks make a living at fishing so they must be doing something right?
The meeting's are very informative from 8 to 5 allot info is given out, allot of the top level pro's talk, you get to hear what some of the manufactures have coming out, what they are looking for in return for a sponsorship.
No they don't talk about fishing techniques or hotspots or try to sell you product. So it not like a fishing seminar, so don't go if you are looking to learn how to fish.
But you can walk up to these guys and ask them questions in person.
I personally think it is worth the 110.00 to belong.
Also it is just not for Walleye fisherpeople, bass and muskie anglers can benefit, if you guide for living I could see it helping out.
See you next year at the meeting.
--------------------
Most of my money is spent on fishing, fishing tackle and boats, the rest is wasted......Thanks KLH NPAA 292<'((^)){
Posted 1/5/2009 10:21 AM (#353166 - in reply to #353158) Subject: Re: NPAA 09 Meeting
Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
The meeting was very informative, and it's now true that Muskie anglers can join. If you are a competitive angler or a full time guide, you will definitely benefit. Looks like I'll be getting my old NPAA Number 189 back! From the discussion yesterday, a new member will pay $110.00, and will, after renewing membership the second year, have the right to vote.
Al Lindner addressed the group yesterday, and talked 'out of the box' from the start. Fascinating address, and inspirational to anyone looking for or already holding down a fishing/marine/promotional/sales/etc position.
The NPAA supports professional anglers encouraging exemplary professionalism and supporting our efforts with our sponsors, showcases the accomplishments in press releases and on the NPAA website (www.npaa.net), supports competitive angling for all freshwater fish, supports and actively runs youth fishing events and seminars, supports Angler Young Angler events, (http://www.angleryoungangler.ca/) and much much more.
Serious discounts are available from many companies to NPAA members all year long, and REALLY nice discounts are extended during the annual Conference. There are many potential fishing industry sponsors out there who look for that NPAA number when considering you as a team member. The available advice and training is invaluable, and the fee can be recovered in just a few purchases with the deep discounts available. The opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the top pros in the US and Canada and their sponsors doesn't hurt, either.
The NPAA also is looking to grow as an advocacy group, working to protect our unfettered access to the waters we fish, our very privilege to fish and to fish competitively, and much more. In order to accomplish those goals, the NPAA needs to grow. I don't think there could be a better watchdog than the folks out there actually on the water full time.
As of the end of this week, I'll be sporting the NPAA 189 Number on my boat and truck.
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Posted 1/5/2009 9:49 PM (#353333 - in reply to #353265) Subject: Re: National Professional Anglers Association '09 Meeting
Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
NPAA Defined, an interview at the National Professional Anglers Association conference with President Pat Neu, Vice president Tommy Skarlis, and Executive Director Cody Roswick describing the benefits of joining the NPAA as a Guide, Tournament angler, or Promotional angler. The NPAA now welcomes Muskie anglers!
Attending and addressing the Conference were representatives from Mercury Marine, Yamaha, Evinrude, Lund Boats, Ranger Boats, Navionics, Berkley, Fin Tech, and more. Keynote speakers were industry leaders, marketing experts, and the top billing; Al Lindner talking about the future of professional angling. All of these folks were right there mixing with the attendees, interacting, answering questions, and more.
I hope to see a few Muskie pros at next year's NPAA conference!
Guest
Posted 1/7/2009 9:54 AM (#353589 - in reply to #353158) Subject: RE: National Professional Anglers Association '09 Meeting, Muskie Anglers Welcome!
I am a muskie fisherman who makes a fair amount of money in this industry and belonged to the N.P.A.A. for several years. Muskie fishermen were welcome back then, too. The focus of the group at the time was walleye fishermen, nothing else. I liked the idea of the organization but I finally took an objective look at it and decided to drop out.
One of the big draws was the "special rates" NPAA members were supposed to get for their boat/business insurance. This insurance was underwritten by Old United Casualty Co. Well, when Muskie Hunter TV began advertising F.C.I.S., I requested an insurance quote and got the same coverage for slightly less money with the same underwriter!
Therefore to belong to the N.P.A.A. it cost $110 each year for which I received no real benefits from a walleye focused organization outside of insurance, which cost more than if I bought it outside of the N.P.A.A. This wasn't a hard decision to make.
If the N.P.A.A. truly wants muskie fishermen for more than their annual dues I might reconsider. There are some quality individuals involved and like I said I like the idea. For now, however, no thank you.
Posted 1/7/2009 1:52 PM (#353636 - in reply to #353158) Subject: Re: National Professional Anglers Association '09 Meeting, Muskie Anglers Welcome!
Posts: 32922
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin
The entire point of this thread was to let folks know the focus of the NPAA has shifted dramatically, and all Professional anglers from the varying fishing professions are now welcome as voting members. The benefits are defined in several ways, including the video recently published with the President, Vice president, and Exec. Director of the NPAA. Watch that video, Guest, and you will see what I'm trying to get to here.
This isn't the NPAA of the past. I also had belonged (NPAA Number 189)and dropped out because I felt the NPAA wasn't representing my interests well. That has changed, and the focus is now on the sport of competitive angling, full time guiding and promotional angling, and more, plus the NPAA is looking to grow enough to represent us in the ever expanding battle to retain the privileges we have now, and improve same.
Now a Muskie angler can join as a Pro and after one year, vote, allowing the same voice as any of the long term members. The yearly Conference is stellar, especially for anyone looking to increase their overall footprint and achieve more success as a competitive angler. The insurance package I'll leave for Mr. Roswick to answer to, but as far as I know it's a darned good deal.
As of today there are several Muskie focused anglers who have already joined. We need Muskie anglers to join so the venue can include their unique viewpoint, and they need to join so they can benefit from the huge pool of available information as to how to increase one's professional image to one's sponsors and the public.
Angler/Young Angler, Youth fishing clinics and events, and many more events are now held and supported by NPAA Supporting Partners and members, actually DOING something to involve young folks in the sport of fishing.
If Al Lindner was willing to fly in from California gratis to speak to the NPAA on the future of fishing, I have to believe he supports the current new direction of the association. That's a fairly powerful endorsement. If Guest had been a current member and attended, he would have received the value of his yearly dues just listening to Al's presentation, IMO.
The new website is a testament to the advancements the NPAA has made over the last year and a half under the direction of Mr. Roswick with the new vision of the Board. It's brand new, but soon video, press releases, articles, and member profiles including images that can be updated as events occur, and the member's individual bio page that can be changed easily BY THE MEMBER ANYTIME.
OutdoorsFIRST thought enough of what's happening with the NPAA to become a supporting partner. Our link will be added in the next few days, and we are proud to be there.
Posted 1/7/2009 4:08 PM (#353659 - in reply to #353158) Subject: RE: National Professional Anglers Association '09 Meeting, Muskie Anglers Welcome!
Posts: 1
First of all, I couldn't state things any better than Mr. Worrall about the progress and vitality of the NPAA. Now, more than ever the NPAA is making a positive effect on the growth of the fishing industry. To comment on our insurance benefits as members, we continue to work with Greater Insurance Services to provide a competitive price and good coverage for boat and liability insurance pertaining to anyone that is associated with the NPAA. We have many benefits for our members including a member discount program through various tackle manufacturers and Greater Insurance Services. If you look at the education, news, angler recruitment, networking, and promotional opportunities, the NPAA can benefit most any promotional angler and supporting partner. If anyone has further questions, please use our new website http://www.npaa.net or contact me direct at [email protected]
Thanks,
Cody Roswick
Posted 1/8/2009 3:39 PM (#353881 - in reply to #353158) Subject: Re: National Professional Anglers Association '09 Meeting, Muskie Anglers Welcome!
Posts: 1220
Honestly, I wish I had read these posts a week earlier. I was actually at the place to attend the Doc Sampson Lowrance Seminar (2nd timer) last Friday, but I figured the NPAA was just for full time pros. I thought I would be unwelcome as a guy who has a regular job but still fishes 10-12 tournaments in a season. I will rethink the thing next time based on these comments. I am clearly not a pro in my mind just because I like to fish for prize money on the weekends--but I certainly take my fishing seriously and would not shy away from joining a group for a hundred bucks or so that could make me a better fisherman for having done so. Marty Forman
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