Well what can i say about 2013. Its set some things in motion despite a few failiures, yet still have some things im still working towards for 2014. This is just to evaluate the scene and my take on some things, so please dont asume im having a winge, far from it. this years ups n downs set the way forward. ive learnt what works and when to stop flogging a dead horse, that sometimes marketting really does equire that more professional approach and seriouse financing that i cant aford. The development of Ladies Days fishing club just never gained the interest. Origionaly devised as a joint partnership with a developer, the EA and comunity engagement activity that they were unable to fund in the end, I decided to try myself but with no interest arcoss the south east, let alone localy to my area. Setting up a Angling Academy with professional tuition whilst working with local fisheries met with silence or refusal to use thier venues despite offering to pay. So not one to be put off by this, again set up my own events & advertised that recieved no interest. With my local knowledge and access im able to offer exclusive fishing, guided days along Rivers & Lakes and into areas the public would not know about or most anglers walk on by, Again recieving no interest. Another venue i had access to was prime fishing with unlimited parking and providing aminities to families, a great oportunity for school summer holidays Family fishing taster sessions in comfort and professional coaching, only just off the M25 in SE London/kent, this too recieved no interest at all, even with my fees cut and just covering my overheads it was not a viable enterprise to enter into any further. Now im sure theres a few in this field who do make a living, but to be honest after 12 years in Fisheries Management business, im sure most angling coaching and guided fishing i see is hot air, false economics, a way for getting your face and name known. Ive had anglers say they are sponsored and coach & guide full time for a living and earn very well from it, aford to pay thier mortgage on it, driving 4x4s!!! Ive coached voluntary, had events in the past sponsored and fees covered to enable me to provide FREE fishing. But as an independant, im finding it very difficult to see within Angling how you can make a living, set against a Tennis Coach a Golf Coach, Swimming Coach, Private music teacher, horse riding instructor!!! Even in Norfolk, with 4 miles of prolific river, offering Coarse & Game fishing, B&Bs/Guest House bookings, Ghillie/Guided service, lunch brought to you or evening meals in village pub, car hire, station pick ups/drop offs, bait runs, free use of full bivvie set up, a on line booking system, web site and still only recieved 4 clients in 18 months 6 day ticket sales with membership only just covering my overheads. I do get a few fisheries consultations, yet when they find out what thier aspirations involve and will cost, they are then not willing to commit or pay the costs, so fall by the wayside, this year losing me £25k on one job & 350k worth of contracts offered. Yet for 10 years previously I was delivering non stop fisheries management. So, 2014 is looming, i have two multi lake Fisheries still under internal reviews with very positive feed back on my proposals. I also have access to several very special waters, that are under discusion and all going well, will offer some very unique access in SE UK in 2014. This summer I had 9 waters under discussion, all prolific, private, pristine and of historical interest. In one cases i had to drop 3 as the owner imposed too many restrictions it became unviable or the interest from anglers just wasnt coming through and some thought the £500 for the first year then £300 a year there after was too much to pay for 9 waters to fish. Now the one i dropped as acknowledge thier restrictions are impractical to thier requirements and that has now gone back to an internal review and may now be something for 2014 to reinvestigate. This all i think comes down to knowing your market, your location, your facilities and how much you can aford to put into it. For me fishing, nature and that life style is a passion, part of who i am. I enjoy my diverse fishing and enjoy shareing those experiences with others and something i shall carry on with. I have a full time job im waiting for a start date, also a new River Project managers job ive applied for and should know more in the next two weeks. My old River Keepers job as a new River Keeper, but the actual river and its future restorations and fisheries management was not upheld and seems to have been dropped, so something im pressing with the EA & Local council. Tight Lines and looking forward to where things take me.
Posted on: Sun, 15 Sep 2013 13:21:23 +0000
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