The repost was a link to an opinion article posted on a website called Wide Open Spaces. It's a well built site with lots of contributor content from various outdoorsmen and women.
As reluctant as I am to post a link, it would probably be beneficial to read it before you read my response. So, here it is. It's a piece of work.
Amateur Anglers in Jerseys are Peacocks
OK, then. If that's how you feel, here's a selfie for you.
It should be noted that the author Brent Cannon does make some valid points, especially about the state of the "Pro Staff" game. I have seen it first hand, especially with younger anglers. They accept a pro staff position with a company for which they've never used that equipment. It's really not fair to the company nor the angler when you think about it. The company gets nearly free advertising, but it comes from anglers who know very little about the product they are repping. And, yes, the angler gets to say he or she is on pro staff, but what is the benefit? To me, being on a pro staff should be mutually beneficial. And I believe the author is coming from the same school of thought in that regard. That is a common school of thought among many in the kayak fishing community. Chris Payne has warned us of such pitfalls in the Kayak Fishing Blog, and it has been preached on various other outlets within our community. Kayak fishing is a rapidly growing niche within the fishing industry, and many companies see that. We as anglers (kayak or bass boat) need to be smart in the decisions we make as to whom and where we associate ourselves. Good points made, but that is a soapbox for another day.
Here is the excerpt that has me scratching my head and ruffling my feathers, so to speak -
"Better yet, do they even know you are sporting their logo while acting like an absolute douche to everyone you meet?
I get it. You probably didn’t win enough trophies as a kid, your mom always told you that you could be anything you wanted, and the best way for people to THINK you’re an awesome angler isn’t to show them on the water, it’s to slap 1,326 logos on a jersey you had to pay $125 for.
Oh, too harsh? Really?
You can’t manage to qualify for a regional tournament, can’t beat the local guys on a regular basis on “your water” and have more excuses than a Dalmatian has spots. You do however know everything about everything in the fishing industry and will tell anyone who will listen.
While you run your mouth at the bait shop, the oldtimer in the blue jeans and original trucker hat from Mann’s Bait Company in 1979 is grinning behind his cup of coffee. You know why? He’s going to take your money again this weekend.
I remember a day when patches were earned, jerseys were for the elite anglers, and humility still ruled the day. Maybe I’m an old fart too, longing for a better community of fishermen. Maybe I wish these 20 and 30 something anglers would chill out spending so much money on jerseys and boat wraps when they can’t win a tournament.
Earn something! Win something!
Amateur anglers in pros clothing sends all the wrong messages. It’s pride. It’s vanity. It’s wanting to be seen as special. What the rest of us see is an insecure peacock who needs to preen and prance.
You want to be seen as above average or special. Newsflash Einstein! Clothes don’t catch fish. Boat wraps don’t mean crap if you are the one paying to have it done.
What you really need to do is spend time working on your craft. Learn new skills, learn the waters you’ll be fishing and stop parading around as if the anglers not in jerseys should bow to your greatness."
Let's get some things straight, Brent. I know sarcasm and hyperbole when I see it. But I'm also pretty good at sniffing out a good old fashioned hater. They're getting easier and easier to spot because there are way too many around these days, meddling in everyone else's business rather than tending to their own. I'm sorry you're worried about what I'm wearing when I'm paying my hard earned money to enter a tournament. I didn't know my wardrobe was a microaggression. You reminisce about the old days but hate like a millennial.
Yes sir, I'm wearing a jersey to my tournaments this year. Please, tell me again how that makes me "act like an absolute douche to everyone I meet." I have to know this so I can go apologize to all my fishing buddies.
Yes sir, I got enough trophies as a kid - actually, some were even awarded for more than just participation.
Yes sir, my mother encouraged my hobbies and passions, and because of my Papaw I became a pretty doggone good fisherman. I listen to those old timers in the Wranglers and Mann's hats - they can teach more than just fishing. Those same influences like my parents and grandparents, and baseball coaches, teachers, etc also taught me things like integrity, good sportsmanship, and financial responsibility. Fishing is certainly not my day job, but you bet your ass I'll be working some 12 hour days so I can save up some extra time for "working on my craft." I don't mind doing it. I do that so I can show up confident for a tournament. I fish all types of water. I research constantly. I read. I watch the Elite Series Pros. I'm a sponge. I admittedly neglect quality time I could be spending with my wife by studying lake maps and archiving 15 years worth of fishing reports. That's the only thing I regret.
While I show up on tournament day with a goal to win, I also try to be an ambassador for the sport and build friendly relationships with my fellow anglers - that's one of the draws of kayak fishing. I've never been one to keep information to myself - I enjoy others' successes and try to both help them and learn from them, and generally they treat me the same. That whole golden rule thing actually works when applied properly.
Furthermore, it's my business if I want to spend the money for a jersey to rep the companies I have worked to build actual relationships with. I have a handful of pro staff/field team deals, and they are mutually beneficial. I don't make the discounts, etc public knowledge because I don't think it's professional, but I'll say I'm quite comfortable with them. The fact that they have not sent me a custom made jersey does not offend me. The fact that I've spent money on those products in the past, so that now I'm comfortable representing them does not upset me. It makes me a more valuable asset for their brand, and gives me credibility. Those logos are on my jersey, along with a family business who supports me, and the products of personal friends that I actually use. The KBF logo is on my jersey because that organization gives me the chance to fish from a kayak for $30k+ each year (as long as I qualify). And I don't think I'm a sellout. That's my opinion. You are entitled to yours. My bills are paid and I have some money saved for a rainy day. I'm fortunate enough that I could afford my peacock outfit, so I think I'm going to look the part whether you think I'm prancing around like an insecure douche or not.
Indeed, clothes don't catch fish. But my NaPo Custom Rod and Chattahoochee Jigs do.
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