A Call to Arms

[Admin]

Guys we have had this forum for a few months now. We are just looking for input as to what we might need to do as far as more traffic, membership, topics etc. We are fishing for thoughts as we have the vehicle now.....


What do we need to do in 2008? What would the membership of TOSA like to see accomplished this next year?

Admin

[ohioyaker]

I am not a member of the TOSA just yet, but I do have some thoughts if anyone cares to hear them?

Traffic to this site.....I did not hear much about the TOSA until I ran into a member(andyman)....If you want to get real traffic through this site you must be linked to very large popular sites like (like it or not):

www.ohiogamefishing.com/community/

www.fishingohio.net/

www.gofishohio.com/

www.ohiosportsman.com/

www.ohfishing.com/

These sites have a ton of members and receive lots of traffic....a lot of the people who view these sites are also smallmouth anglers and since they are all OHIO forums, they might be more likely to join this group.

Memberships...this I'm still in the dark about, what does your membership get you?
I have belonged to a lot of paid membership groups...some good, some bad. The good ones always give their members many privileges that non-members don't have.
I think your membership should include things like t-shirts, decals, membership card (for discounts to local tackle shops, motels, restaurants, ect. that sponsor the group), I think it should also include "Secrets to Success", thing like inside tips and tactics to help others land more and bigger fish on their home waters.

Your membership should be worth it...or anglers simply wont get interested enough to join in a PAID club. I know many groups that give you pretty much all the goodies even if you are not a paid member....for the money its really not worth paying the extra for.


I would like to see some type of "work shops" in the off Season, things like showing videos of smallie angling, tackle workshops, rigging, lures, Internet resources and even a kayaking workshop...kayak rigging for fishing, etc.

As far as THIS site, I have tried to start many threads and open talks to get the board rolling..it does get tough to find the time or the topics.

I do however think if you have the space and resources, a members gallery would be a big step in the right direction.....when outsiders see pictures of nice fish..they tend to want to stick around and join in the talks, etc.

just my $0.02 worth.

Scott

[ecoangler]

Scott,\
You da' Man!

Great thoughts. We need a head count of volunteers to put on the workshops, demos, fly tying , lure making or paddling technique events.

Hooking to other sites may bring inquiries if there are threads that interest the readers.

I belong to the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance as well as TOSA. They offer a 20 page newsletter, eventds, a new members package with information mics. tackle, patch, logo sticker and member options to purchase hats, shirts and such. Check out www.illinoissmallmouthalliance.com .

It all takes manpower, time and cooperation to make it work.

Sure your $ are important, but any time you can offer is just as valuable to the communinty of the organization.

Attending meetings, TOSA functions, writing a thread or a better a newsletter article. Introduing another to the TOSA mission.

Its all about you, me, us, others and the smallmouth bass.

WEcan work tegether to initiate and execute your suggestions.

Where shall we start?

Rick

[ecoangler]

DD,
I told Mike I'll fill in where ever I can as often as I can. I'd like to see a basic newsletter and possibly alternate activities/functions in the chilly months.

Planning for the upcoming year so folks acn plan ahead.

Rick

[ohioyaker]

Thanks Rick,
Just trying to help out anyway I can.

I certainly would be willing to help out with any workshops you guys want to do...I must confess that I am a recovering tackleholic and can help in any of those areas.
I just put my first year in a kayak, but can certainly help with rigging, choosing a kayak, etc for newbies.

I also have a few years under my belt when it comes to smallie fishing and have experience in taking kids out to small streams and introducing them to smallie fishing.

What ever you guys need...just say the word.


Scott

[Kyle Kochheiser]

I was introduced to TOSA by Andyman as well. He is a true ambassadeur for the group and a class act. Though, he smells kinda funny! Ha! I don't have any brilliant insights at the moment, but give a year or two when I can sleep again(baby at home). I do look to join the organization and I will try to find time and ways to become more involved.

I hope to become a "doer" and not a just a "sayer".

CG

[Dave Stephens]

good thoughts guys. we need to address some of this at our meetings too.

scott you bring up an excellent point. membership shopuld have some benefits other than being doers... shirts, hats, tackle store discounts are a great way to go and a big incentive. i hope some are listening. nothing like getting a bit back for giving a hoot and helping out. membership numbers get you noticed and more members help us get the things accomplished that we want to.

dave

[Admin]

ohioyaker said:

I am not a member of the TOSA just yet, but I do have some thoughts if anyone cares to hear them?

Traffic to this site.....I did not hear much about the TOSA until I ran into a member(andyman)....If you want to get real traffic through this site you must be linked to very large popular sites like (like it or not):

www.ohiogamefishing.com/community/

www.fishingohio.net/

www.gofishohio.com/

www.ohiosportsman.com/

www.ohfishing.com/

These sites have a ton of members and receive lots of traffic....a lot of the people who view these sites are also smallmouth anglers and since they are all OHIO forums, they might be more likely to join this group.

Memberships...this I'm still in the dark about, what does your membership get you?
I have belonged to a lot of paid membership groups...some good, some bad. The good ones always give their members many privileges that non-members don't have.
I think your membership should include things like t-shirts, decals, membership card (for discounts to local tackle shops, motels, restaurants, ect. that sponsor the group), I think it should also include "Secrets to Success", thing like inside tips and tactics to help others land more and bigger fish on their home waters.

Your membership should be worth it...or anglers simply wont get interested enough to join in a PAID club. I know many groups that give you pretty much all the goodies even if you are not a paid member....for the money its really not worth paying the extra for.


I would like to see some type of "work shops" in the off Season, things like showing videos of smallie angling, tackle workshops, rigging, lures, Internet resources and even a kayaking workshop...kayak rigging for fishing, etc.

As far as THIS site, I have tried to start many threads and open talks to get the board rolling..it does get tough to find the time or the topics.

I do however think if you have the space and resources, a members gallery would be a big step in the right direction.....when outsiders see pictures of nice fish..they tend to want to stick around and join in the talks, etc.

just my $0.02 worth.

Scott

Scott I have attempted to touch base with the webmasters of all these sites you listed. GOfishohio has no easy contact route. Might you be able to get me a contact person and email?

[Kyle Kochheiser]

I would like to add another point to this thread. I really like Rick's post about a newsletter, alternate activities in cooler months, and planning events for the year ahead. From what Andy told me about this group, is it's a close knit group of guys that enjoy fishing for smallmouths and place a premium on conservation and being involved and finding ways to help. Outings and comraderie are what I seek. I don't need freebies or give-aways. That's not the kind of club I want to be a part of. TOSA could generate tons of traffic and bring in the masses, but if the masses have different ideas.........then are you really acomplishing what you set out to accomplish? Again, my interest in joining the organization is about being a part of something bigger than myself and contributing to the organization rather than the organziation contributing some grab bag of goodies to me. "Ask not what TOSA can do for you, but"......ok that's a bit much. While membership should have it's privileges it should also have some responsibility. What if TOSA had 200 members and only 10 ever participated? Is that the goal? How's about if TOSA had 30 members and on most occasions 20 or more participated.

Ok, I have rambled on this to much.

Kyle

[Dave Stephens]

You are a good man Kyle. That my friend is the attitude we need. Read his post again folks. that's good stuff.

[danl]

Kyle, that's exactly the attitude you guys are gonna need to grow TOSA. What you need is not virtual exposure, but real-time exposure. Allow me to offer a few tips?
Plan warm weather meetings at bridge sites around the area and pick up trash before the meetings. Make up a big sign that says who you are in letters big enough to read from a car going by at 40 mph.... and stand it up in the bed of someone's pickup.
Get in touch with whatever organizations already exist to help the Darbys and see what you can do to help them.
Have a kids fishing day. But for eveybody's sake keep the whole program to less than 2 hours. Sign-up, fishing, and while the kids are fishing (with chaperones of course) have a couple guys cookin' dogs on a grill and getting the pop and chips together. Then award the prizes.
Get a space at boat/trade shows and sell raffle tickets to raise cash. Have a display with scenes from the Darbys there to help explain WHY you're selling tickets. Don't be surprised if a bunch of people just hand you a couple bucks and tell ya to just keep it.
Make up a flyer/pamphlet explaining the goals and aims of the club and have a bunch of 'em at the shows. Be sure to include the name and phone number of a live person that an interested party can actually speak with.
Filling a newsletter can be a grind (I've done 'em), but there isn't a better single way to tie a club together. I like the ones that come in the snail mail box myself, but they're more time consuming and expensive.
If you want some logo gear, find a print shop that will work with you and then SELL the stuff to the members, or even at the shows. DD has seen the hats I wear fishing....they cost me about $7 each.
This stuff ain't hard to do, it just takes a little commitment.


Dan'l

[ecoangler]

Kyle,
Where have you been the past couple years!!!

In most organizations its the core 10% that do the work.

I'd rather see a dedicated core of 70% and a supportive element of 30%. That better numbers than most market research polls get. Thats about 7 "get-r-done" and 3 "care-2-give" out of 10 that make up the OSA community.

Its all about is those that give a dane to show, follow thru and return.

Like you I have gear. I'll buy the hat to cover the sparse foliage on top.

I'm looking to connect with the The Other Smallmouth Anglers than are the Ohio Smallmouth Alliance.
The friends of the smallmouth bass in Ohio.

Somebody get him a box and loudspeaker!

Great!

[ecoangler]

Oops! Typo
The Ohio Smallmouth Anglers that are the Ohio Smallmouth Alliance.

Don't wish to send wrong message content.