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April 17, 2006
Greetings,
Note: This is the last Market Edge going to the previous database. Only paid members for 2006 will receive this and other FOWA correspondence hereafter.
Just a reminder: The FOWA Excellence in Crafts Awards contest deadline for submissions is May 15. For rules and an entry form, go to www.fowa.org. So far Sandy Huff has received only three entries!
It is with great sadness that I announce that Vern Robey, a FOWA member since 1985, has passed away. See the Member News section with a tribute written by G.B. Knowles on www.boatingandfishing.com.
Kelly Braden
KJBraden1@aol.com
From Sandy Huff:
You were worried about just gators in Florida?
Bacon for Life
The fellow in the pictures is Larry Earley. He lives about 30 miles from Orlando, in the very rural community of Okahumpka, just off the Florida Turnpike in Lake County, Florida. He has 20 acres of land and on it, a few cows and horses. Mostly it's pasture land that is fenced, with woods surrounding him.
He is neighbored by a larger cattle ranch.
His neighbor has complained for several years that wild hogs had been raiding his cattle feeders and salt licks.
Last month he saw what he thought was a cow in his pond and went to see if it was stuck in the mud and would have to be pulled out. When he got close enough to realize it was a hog, the thing made a charge at him. He had driven his truck down to the pond and carries a pistol in it (as any Florida redneck would, and I say that with genuine affection). He got his handgun and when it came at him again, he shot it twice and killed it.
Wild hogs in Florida usually run from 100-400 pounds with a 400 pounder being a monster. Because this one had been feasting on grain for severa l years it had grown to mammoth size. When Larry took it to the processor it weighed in at over 1100 pounds! The meat has no wild taste, as it was grain fed; and Larry is quite the hero. He has fed many firemen and provided the homeless shelter in downtown Orlando with a couple of meals.
HIGHLIGHTED NEEDS
Sport Fishing
Doug Olander, Editor in Chief, Sport Fishing Magazine, 460 N. Orlando Ave. Suite #200 Winter Park, FL 32789, doug.olander@worldpub.net ;
Sport Fishing Photo Needs
Please contact editor listed before submitting!
•SE Atlantic reef fish/action -- following species: red snapper, vermilion snapper, amberjack, gag grouper. (contact andy.hahn@worldpub.net)
•Wahoo -- at this point, only very striking, cool images needed (contact doug.olander@worldpub.net)
•Fishing with braided line -- any interesting/dramatic/revealing shots (contact doug olander before submitting).
•Tuna being landed on San Diego-based long-range boats -- the action shown in images taken from another boat (contact chris.woodward@worldpub.net).
•For Georgia bottomfishing I need close-ups of vermilion snapper, red snapper, amberjack, gag grouper, as well as angler/action shots of red snapper, gag grouper and amberjack.
•I could probably use some yft shots from long-range vessels – fighting fish – shots back at boat from skiff/inflatable (if anyone’s got em.) I think I already have some good u/w shots of big yfts, but could always look at more. (contact andy.hahn@worldpub.net)
CURRENT MARKETS
Fun for Kidz Magazine
Current Needs: Fun for Kidz is a new activity magazine for kids. Needs activities that deal with “timeless topics” like pets, nature, hobbies, science, games, sports, careers, simple cooking, etc. Readers are boys and girls ages 6-13 years.
Payment Amount: minimum $.05 per word
Pays On Publication
Submissions Guidelines: http://www.funforkidzmagazines.com/frameset.html?target=ffk
JAKES Magazine
Current Needs: Articles that inform, educate, and involve youth in wildlife conservation and wise stewardship of natural resources. Readers mean age is 10 years old, so stories must be fun. Articles should be 800-1,200 words. Historical fiction must be accurate. Features must be documentary or fictional with the emphasis on the outdoors, conservation, hunting, hunter safety, hunting ethics or heritage.
Payment Amount: Negotiable. Starts at $100
Pays On Acceptance
Submissions Guidelines: http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/Writers_Guidelines.html
Western RV News & Recreation
21821 Cole Lane NE, Aurora, OR 97002. P(503)629-8323. F(503)214-8291. Email: editor@westernrvnews.com. Website: www.westernrvnews.com. Darlene G. O'Connor, Editor. 40% freelance. "Regional magazine for RV enthusiasts that focuses on travel destinations, technical articles and recreational activities in the western United States. Articles concerning destinations in western Canada and Mexico also accepted. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 41K. Monthly. Pays on publication. Publishes ms 6-12 months after acceptance. Buys exclusive first rights. Does not accept reprints. Responds 2-6 months. Sample for 10 x 13 SASE or send $3.00. Subscription $16. Guidelines by email or mail with SASE. Current Needs: "Any articles relating to the use of or traveling with a Recreation Vehicle. Full-timers, part-timers, vacation use. Families using RVs. New and unusual articles related to RVs or places. Humorous articles related to travel or RV use. Games, puzzles, etc. for publication that can be used by children. Other possibilities exist-send ideas." Pays $0.08/word for first rights or negotiated rate." 200-1200 words. Currently seeking "shorts" for product spotlight and filler (100 - 300 words) must include photo or graphic. Submit complete ms by mail or as attachments to email (preferred) and queries by email or mail with SASE. "Bios and cover letters helpful." Pays $5 per photo. "Can send as attachments to email or send photos or slides via regular mail--let editor know they are coming if article is sent by email. Include stamped, addressed envelope large enough for photos if you want them returned." Photos must be 300 dpi (resolution) tif or jpeg formats. Good photographs, and a good selection of them, increase possibility for acceptance. RV-specific information and/or links are very helpful as well.
MARKET LISTINGS
Back Home Magazine
A down-to-earth, how-to magazine whose primary purpose is to help people gain more control over their own lives. Areas of interest include cooking, crafts, outdoor recreation, family activities and vacations, and more. Pays $35 per printed page.
Web site http://www.backhomemagazine.com
Guidelines http://www.backhomemagazine.com/BackHome_guidelines.html
Payscale LOW
Boca Raton
Published 6 times a year for the sophisticated reader who appreciates the finer things in life. Helps readers experience the magnificence that is South Florida.
Web site http://www.bocamag.com
Guidelines http://www.bocamag.com/index.php?src=gendocs&link=About%20Us
Payscale UNK
Cabin Life, Cabin Living
The joy of cabin, cottage and lake home living. Covers Boating, Fishing, Home maintenance, Home repairs, Home design, Outdoor entertaining, Cooking, Outdoor activities. All work must be original. Pays on acceptance.
Web site http://www.cabinlifemag.com/
Guidelines http://www.cabinlife.com/info/writer.html
Payscale UNSP
Caribbean Travel & Life
Providing stories and photos about the fascinating region of the world that is the Caribbean. Paying market.
Web site http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com
Guidelines http://www.caribbeantravelmag.com/writers_guide.jsp
Payscale UNSP
Deer & Deer Hunting
Specialized magazine devoted to deer and deer hunting. Readers include a cross section of the deer hunting population: individuals who hunt with bow, gun or camera. Payment is $150 to $600 for features 1,000 to 3,000 words.
Web site http://www.collect.com/interest/periodicalkp.asp?t=krause&Pub=DH
Guidelines http://www.collect.com/interest/article.asp?t=krause&Pub=DH&id=8493
Payscale MED
Discover The Outdoors
'The definitive outdoor experience.' Covers camping, fishing, hunting, outdoor cooking, and a special section for women outdoors. Pays up to $300 for features 800 – 1,200 words.
Web site http://www.dto.com
Guidelines http://www.dto.com/dto/about/writers.jsp
Payscale MED
Good Old Boat
About cruising sailboats 10 years old and older with galleys, bunks, and heads. Publishes articles focused on pride of ownership and articles that discuss upgrades, maintenance, refits, and restoration of good old boats. Pays up to $700 for features 3,000 to 5,000 words.
Web site http://www.goodoldboat.com
Guidelines http://www.goodoldboat.com/writers_guide.html
Payscale HI
GORP.com
Encyclopedic resource for outdoor recreation—hiking, biking, rafting, camping, fishing, and more. Paying Market.
Web site http://www.gorp.com
Guidelines http://theawaynetwork.com/about_us/contributors_guide.html
Payscale UNSP
Hooked on the Outdoors
Published bi-monthly with a multi-sport focus, stressing accessible adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. The magazine’s backyard travel philosophy incorporates close-to-home destinations in the United States, Canada and south of the border (Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America). Pay varies.
Web site http://www.ruhooked.com
Guidelines http://www.ruhooked.com/company/editorial.html
Payscale UNSP
In-Fisherman
Multi-species fishing magazine. Occasionally accepts freelance submissions. Paying market.
Web site http://www.in-fisherman.com
Guidelines http://www.in-fisherman.com/reference/faq/index.html
Payscale UNSP
Lakestyle Magazine
A quarterly print publication for people who love the water. Specialized content for lake and river-front homeowner. Offers information and ideas on boating, home and cabin decorating, docks and waterfront landscaping and lakeside entertaining. Writers are encouraged to submit photography that supports the story. Pays between $0.10 and $0.25 per word.
Web site http://www.lakestyle.com/
Guidelines http://store.lakestyle.com/lakmagguidfo.html
Payscale MED
North American Whitetail
Whitetail deer hunting. Paying market.
Web site http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com
Guidelines http://www.northamericanwhitetail.com/contactus/index.html
Payscale UNSP
Sailing Breezes
Sailing Breezes Magazine is a Northern Breezes, Inc. publication. Pays $50 to $150.
Web site http://www.sailingbreezes.com
Guidelines
http://www.sailingbreezes.com/Sailing_Breezes_Current/guide/writersguidelines.htm
Payscale LOW
Sailing World
The emphasis is on performance sailing: keep in mind that the Sailing World readership is relatively educated about the sport. Average payment is $400 for articles around 2,000 words.
Web site http://www.sailingworld.com
Guidelines http://www.sailingworld.com/sw_guide.jsp
Payscale MED
Wavelength Paddling Magazine
Promotes safe, ecologically sensitive paddling, guides paddlers to useful products and services, and explores marine issues. Pays up to $100.
Web site http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com
Guidelines http://www.wavelengthmagazine.com/guidelin.php
Payscale LOW
WetDawg.com
Covers sports such as kayaking, rafting and canoeing. Snorkeling, scuba and freediving. Windsurfing and kiteboarding. "Our rates range from nothing but a byline to $0.12 - $0.25 per word."
Web site http://www.wetdawg.com
Guidelines http://www.wetdawg.com/pages/editorialguide.php
Payscale MED
Wheelin' Sportsmen
Dedicated to bringing the outdoors to disabled outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy all kinds of hunting, fishing and recreational shooting, as well as a variety of other outdoor activities. Pays up to $500 for up to 2,000 words.
Web site http://www.nwtf.org/wheelin/?SUBSITE=wheelin
Guidelines http://www.nwtf.org/tv_magazines/Writers_Guidelines.html
Payscale MED
Wildlife Control Technology
Bimonthly magazine committed to serving people actively involved in the nuisance wildlife control field. Articles cover how-to methods articles on trapping and other control techniques for raccoon, skunk, beaver, mole, bat, alligator etc. Pays from $50 for short pieces to $175 for a full-length, feature article.
Web site http://www.wctech.com
Guidelines http://www.wctech.com/guidlines.htm
Payscale LOW
Yachting Monthly
Accepts cruising narratives about sailing almost anywhere in the world, from Solent to Scotland and from Burnham on Crouch to Bora Bora. Also accepts practical and technical articles on all aspects of seamanship, navigation, the handling of small craft, and their design, construction and equipment. Also humour. Paying market.
Web site http://www.yachtingmonthly.co.uk
Guidelines http://www.ybw.com/ym/contrib.htm
Payscale UNSP
JOBS
From Andy Hahn:
Editor Position at Maptech (Requires relocation to Mass.)
Editor - Navigation/Travel for Maptech’s recreational boating/cruising guides and chart products. Job involves on-site and office-based research, working with PC marine navigation software, descriptive writing (detailed on-the-water navigation and destination/shoreside text), and mocking up and proofing product layouts. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, proven writing, editing, and communication skills, boating experience, strong initiative, mature judgment, ability to set and meet deadlines. Amesbury, MA office. Some travel. Resume to dcushing@maptech.com
Doran Cushing
Managing Editor/Embassy Guides
Maptech, Inc.
10 Industrial Way
Amesbury, MA 01913
978-792-1018
Martin Fox, PR Manager
888-433-8500 (Press only)
Maptech -- www.maptech.com
10 Industrial Way
Amesbury, MA 01913
Sales: 888-839-5551
mfox@maptech.com
The Erickson Tribune, Freelance Writers Wanted
The Erickson Tribune (www.ericksontribune.com), the nation’s largest retirement newspaper with a circulation of over 3 million and a target audience of age 62-plus, is looking for articles that reflect the Trib’s masthead message of “Inform—Inspire—Involve.”
Our Readers: Published by Erickson Retirement Communities, the Tribune is read by people who aspire to live better by taking full advantage of what life has to offer. We do not refer to our readers as “seniors” or “elderly.” They are vibrant, educated individuals who lead busy, productive lives. We try to give them articles that inform and inspire them. We do not view “aging” as a disease, rather, as another chapter in life complete with exciting possibilities.
Subject Ideas: Our readers are middle income and interested in a broad range of topics. Stories dealing with leisure pursuits such as travel, music, food and cuisine, wine, coffee, scrapbooking, and gardening are always good possibilities, but we are open to other ideas that might appeal to our target audience as well. Sentimentality is not a road we travel as our audience is living in the here and now. Profiles of retirees doing interesting and amazing things are certainly welcome. We do not publish fiction. Stories about hi-tech, computers, and fitness are also good, as our readers are looking for ways to keep their minds and bodies in shape. They tend to have dynamic relationships with their adult children and grandchildren, and stories relevant to those relationships are welcome. Strong, engaging profiles of individuals age 62-plus (both well-known and not so well known) are also welcome. “How to” articles, depending on the topic, are acceptable as well.
Submission Guidelines:
• Completed articles are preferred, but we’ll consider pitches if sample articles of previous work are provided. All articles must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document, while queries should be included in the message body and not as an attachment. Please also be sure to put the title of the story in the subject line of the message.
• Please allow plenty of lead time for seasonal stories. (For example, if you have a Christmas related story, make sure you have pitched it by October)
• Word count: approximately 800 (should not be previously published or written for another publication)
• We reserve the right to edit for style, length, and clarity.
• If we use your story, we will pay $200 within 30 days of publication. You will also receive a byline on your story.
• We’ll send you three samples.
Submit your story ideas and/or articles to editor@ericksonmail.com. Only e-mail submissions will be accepted. Salary not specified. Ad expires May 17, 2006. Job ID: 499005. www.ericksontribune.com.
Primedia/Game & Fish Magazine - Editor for Outdoor Magazine, Marietta, GA
Outdoors Magazine Editor Game & Fish magazine, a Primedia company that publishes 30 monthly titles with a paid circulation of 575,000 readers, is seeking an editor for three of its state-specific hunting & fishing titles. The position requires proven editing skills, and candidates must possess a solid knowledge of both hunting and fishing. Duties include conceiving, assigning and editing articles for three magazines that cover areas of the western United States. Journalism or communications degree preferred, as well as magazine and/or newspaper experience. First-hand knowledge of hunting and fishing in the West is a significant plus. The editor will work from our headquarters in suburban Atlanta. Qualified applicants should send their resume and work samples to: Editorial Director, Game & Fish, 2250 Newmarket Parkway, Marietta GA 30067,fax 770-933-9510; or e-mail materials to: jobsgaf@primedia.com. Full time, Salary negotiable. Expires May 11, 2006. Job ID 622948.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Magazine Editor
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune is seeking an editor for two recently launched magazines on Florida's Gulf Coast.
Responsibilities include developing free-lance writers and photographers, assigning and editing stories, and working with designers to produce a visually compelling product. Please send resumes via e-mail to: Diane.Tennant@heraldtribune.com. Full time. Salary not specified. Ad expires May 9, 2006. Job ID 621857.
St. Petersburg Times/ Tampabay.com - Producer/Designer
This position is for a journalist comfortable on multiple platforms: print, video, interactive media. Tampabay.com delivers the reporting power of six news and information sources in the Times Publishing Co. family. Here are the basic requirements: A strong grasp of sharp headline writing, a deft touch with design, news judgment. Knowledge of HTML, XML, CSS and Adobe Photoshop. Experience working in a databased environment using Web admin tools a plus, as is experience with Adobe GoLive and/or Javascript, Final Cut Pro and Macromedia Flash. Ability to deliver on deadline.
The St. Petersburg Times full-time staffer benefits include paid vacation, medical/dental/vision/life insurance, flexible spending accounts, adoption assistance, 401(k), tuition assistance, and more. If you meet these qualifications, please send your resume to: resumes@sptimes.com (paste resume to body of email). Full time. Salary not specified. Ad expires May 19, 2006. Job ID 625899. www.sptimes.com.
CONTESTS
Travel Writing Essay Contest
Write Your Way to Europe this Summer
Want to go to Europe this summer as a travel writer and researcher? Bakpak Travelers Guide has launched its 4th Annual Travel Writing Essay Contest to find a writer/researcher for the 2006 Europe Hostels & Travel Guide, the #1 listed travel guide for Europe hostels on Amazon.com! Bakpak Travelers Guide publishes free and low-cost, compact budget guides for students and independent travelers.
The winning entrant will receive a 1 month temporary travel assignment to research and write for the guide. The assignment includes a $500 cash stipend, round-trip airfare to London from select gateway cities, a 15-day First Class Eurail Flexipass, 30 nights hostel accommodation and a $250 spending allowance.
Contest Sponsors include RailEurope (www.raileurope.com), North America’s leading Rail Pass provider and GOMIO (www.gomio.com), the backpacking portal created and run by Europe's independent hostels that offers commission free beds in more than 750 hostels all over Europe.
Our contest offers the winning entrant an excellent opportunity to gain or improve upon writing experience, to visit an amazing continent, to meet new people and to have an experience of a lifetime. Past contest winners have traveled to London, Amsterdam, Budapest, Scandinavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Poland, Estonia and Latvia.
To enter, entrants must submit an original essay between 250 and 500 words on the following theme: “Select any city, town or village worldwide and convince the reader to visit this location by discussing any or all of the following themes - People, Natural Landscape, Architecture, Culture and History.” A non-refundable entry fee of $20 and a completed entry form must be included with the essay. All entries must be received by June 30, 2006. The one-month travel writing assignment can be completed anytime between July and October 2006.
For complete contest details, entry form (mail/fax/online versions), frequently asked questions page and Official Contest Rules (must read), please click the link above or go to http://www.bakpakguide.com/misc/contestjj.html
Once you have read the contest pages, FAQs page, and complete Official Rules, you can email us with any questions at contestjj@bakpakguide.com
EVENTS
Redfish Cup Tournament Returns To Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands
Three-Day Competition Offers Angler Challenge and Fun Festival Activities for the Entire Family
Fishing enthusiasts and landlubbers alike are rejoicing at the return of the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Tournament to Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands May 11-13.
The anglers are happy because the Redfish Cup is the most visible and lucrative redfish tournament series in world, with thousands of people attending each event in the six-venue circuit. A true professional tour, the Cup provides big money and bigger exposure for America's best tournament teams as they compete at each event stop.
While anglers are out dueling on the water, thousands are expected to attend the accompanying Festival with fun activities for the entire family. The crowd-pleasing Big Air Dog competition, music, food vendors, exhibits and displays and more, will fill the waterfront Tentatorium parking lot. Festival hours are Friday, May 12, 3-9 p.m. and Saturday, May, 13, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Once again, the Visitor’s Bureau is adding its own events to enhance Festival appeal including: coconut races, cardboard boat races and the Iron Fish Cook-Off. New this year is the ‘Relatively Redfish’ Art Competition, featuring a variety of colorful, funky and imaginative fish personalities in artful 2D styles.
Competitors at every Redfish Cup event – coordinated by Redfish Nation – have an opportunity to test their mettle and win a $40,000 top prize, plus earn points to qualify for the no-entry fee $75,000 Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Championship at season's end.
The Redfish Cup series is big money – not just for participants, but for the community as well. During the Cup’s last visit to Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands in 2004, the event produced 1173 room nights and generated more than $385,000 in economic impact.
Defying the statistics, the Punta Gorda venue registered the highest crowd attendance of all other venues in 2004, with 10,000 visitors coming to historic downtown Punta Gorda to be a part of the waterfront action.
“What we’ve tried to do is to amplify this event to become all inclusive for the community, as well as produce positive, high profile, national television exposure of Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor via espn2 to over half a million viewers,” said Becky Bovell, Director of the Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau. “It is important that we show that our area is back in business as an appealing tourism destination.”
The Fishing Competition
The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Tournament series has become so popular, it has expanded from five venues to six: Clearwater, Fla., April 6-8; Punta Gorda, Fla., May 11-13; Kemah, Texas, June 8-10; Port Aransas, Texas, Aug. 17-19; and New Orleans, La., Aug. 31-Sept. 2. The date and location of the final championship tournament is yet to be announced.
Also new this year is the Redfish Cup All Stars tournament in 2006, a made-for-television event that will highlight an elite field of redfish anglers on espn2.
Anglers will take off at safe light Thursday, May 11, for a full day of fishing. The first day’s weigh-in will occur at 6 p.m.
By the 5 p.m. weigh-in on Friday, May 12, up to 130 teams will be eliminated, leaving five finalists to vie for the prize catch on Saturday.
On Saturday, the weigh-in at 3 p.m. will yield the winners of this second leg of the tournament series, who will then be presented with awards.
The Festival
The tournament’s accompanying Festival will commence at 3 p.m. Friday, May 12, with a weigh-in at 5 p.m. Immediately following the weigh-in, the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a free outdoor concert featuring nationally renowned singer/songwriter Jim Morris and his Big Bamboo Band which will perform crowd-pleasing, island-style songs until 8:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available throughout the evening.
The Festival events will take place on the grounds of the Tentatorium, the waterfront site of the former Memorial Auditorium. The Festival resumes from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 13. There will be a variety of food and non-food vendors and exhibitors also coordinated by the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.
‘Relatively Redfish’ Art Competition
Once again, the arts community of Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has rallied to participate in a competition to rival the successful ‘Fish Are Jumpin’ sculpture contest of 2004. ‘Relatively Redfish,’ a “scaled back” version of its predecessor, will bait area artists to create two-dimensional works in oil, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, photography, digital art, drawing, collage or fabric. On
May 11, judges will troll the “fintastic” masterpieces to catch three winners, as well as a “People’s Choice” honor. Prizes for the competition are First - $1,000; Second - $500; and Third - $250; People’s Choice Award - $250.
Artists hope that members of the public will be lured to view the exhibition from
3 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 12, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 13. Artworks will be for sale. Entrants must register with the Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau by April 15. Registration forms are available at the Visual Arts Center and Sea Grape Gallery in Punta Gorda, The Arts & Humanities Council in Port Charlotte, at the Visitor’s Bureau office at Murdock Circle or online at www.pureflorida.com. The competition is sponsored by the Charlotte Herald Tribune/SNN6 Media Group.
Big Air Dogs Competition
They fly through the air with the greatest of ease, or sometimes need to be coaxed into making the shortest and most ungraceful of drops. Either way, this ESPN event has become a favorite, as dogs of all types and sizes endeavor to gain the most distance into the water after taking a running leap off a dock. All dogs are welcome to test their wings, as more than 50 did during the Punta Gorda competition in 2004.
Iron Fish Cook-Off
Amateur and professional chefs will have the opportunity to show off their creativity and quick thinking in this contest sponsored by Punta Gorda’s The Artistic Gourmet store. Chefs will create an array of dishes featuring a Florida Gulf fish, and secret ingredients and spices which are not revealed until the last minute. Judges will rank each creation according to presentation, originality, taste, texture and imagination.
Cardboard Boat Races
It’s “Survivor” meets “Gilligan’s Island” at the Cardboard Boat Race – a 150-yard paddle to stay afloat in boats constructed of cardboard, duct tape, glue and paint. Recognition will be given to the Best Decorated Boat, Most Spirited Crew and Best Dressed Crew. A Captain’s Award is presented to the crew who finishes first, while the S.S. Minnow Award goes to the boat that sinks first. The races are sponsored by the Charlotte County Young Professionals.
Coconut Races
Coconut Races which allow spectators to purchase chances on colorfully decorated nuts ‘racing’ at the mercy of the tides, are sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.
In addition to the Visitor’s Bureau as presenting sponsor, local sponsors for the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Festival include Omni Waste, Peace River Distributing, Charlotte Herald Tribune/SNN6 Media Group, Don Gasgarth’s Charlotte County Ford, The Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, Marine Bank, Redfish Chop House, Fawcett Memorial Hospital, and the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Tournament, visit the official Web site at www.redfishcup.com, and click on one of the tournament-related links. To learn more about the Festival, visit www.pureflorida.com.
Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands – representing the diverse areas served by the Visitor’s Bureau – is located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast. For information about other area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte; (941) 743-1900, or call toll free at 1-888-4PUR-FLA for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.pureflorida.com.
Rebecca Allen
Public Relations Manager
Charlotte County Visitor's Bureau
18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502
Port Charlotte, FL 33948
941-743-1900
www.pureflorida.com
From Susan Young:
Florida Celebrates Earth Day
In recognition of the 36th Earth Day, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Floridians to join celebrations across the state highlighting conservation and environmental protection. Earth Day, April 22, is part of a month long effort to promote environmental stewardship and awareness.
“Earth Day events incorporate environmental education, conservation and recreation by celebrating natural resources,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “These celebrations encourage environmental stewardship for greater protection of Florida’s resources.”
Earth Day events statewide include:
Earth Day at the Capitol: April 19, 2006, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by DEP, exhibits will encourage environmental awareness. DEP Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy Mike Sole is also scheduled to discuss the importance of ocean awareness.
Highlands Hammock State Park: April 22, 2006, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Earth Day event includes environmental exhibits and demonstrations as well as live native wildlife, tram tours, hayrides, vendors and a Community Yard Sale.
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR): April 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
GTMNERR Earth Day event is sponsored by the Friends of the GTM Reserve and features arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, animal touch tanks, a Clyde Butcher photography display and a reading and book signing by John Oberheu, author of The Manatee that Flew.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: April 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
In celebration of Earth Day, the Friends of Birch State Park will hold a picnic featuring Okefenokee Joe, Emmy Award-winning environmental educator.
John U. Lloyd Beach State Park: April 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m.
In observance of Earth Day, the park will host a sea oat planting project for volunteer groups. Pre-register by calling (954) 924-3859 at least 10 days prior to the event.
Oleta River State Park: April 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Baynanza Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day celebrates Earth Day by improving the park’s coastline. Debris and waste collected will be recycled into various forms of art by artists participating in the event. The artwork will be judged by park staff. Register at http://www.miamidade.gov/derm/Baynanza/registration.asp for clean up participation and contact (305) 919-1844 to register as an artist.
Blackwater Heritage State Trail: April 22, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Earth Day Festival features several state agencies and local organizations with exhibits. Hybrid cars and free tree giveaways will also add to festivities.
Jacksonville Landing: April 22, 2006, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
DEP celebrates Earth Day with children’s activities including craft projects with recycled and reused materials and live animal encounters. Information also available on protecting natural resources.
Koreshan State Historic Site: April 22, 2006, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Earth Day event includes environmental displays and vendor sales throughout historic settlement.
Lowry Park Bandshell: April 22, 2006, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
DEP will participate in the Annual Earth Day celebration hosted by the City of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Sierra Club.
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve: April 22, 2006, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Earth Day Campfire and Storytelling event at Environmental Learning Center provides opportunity to hear legends and myths of several animals. Pre-registration required at www.rookerybay.org or 239-417-6310 ext. 401.
Oscar Scherer State Park: April 23, 2006, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Earth Day Celebration features photo and art contests as well as ecological exhibits, a silent auction and vendors.
Ravine Gardens State Park: April 23, 2006, 9:00 a.m.
Day Hike to Big Cypress Swamp takes visitors on a tour through state park swamps and woods.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park: April 29, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Family Discovery Day promotes Earth Day with environmental exhibits, native wildlife and various activities.
Lake Louisa State Park: May 20, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lake Louisa Field Day is sponsored by the Friends of Lake Louisa State Park and encourages awareness about Florida’s ecosystems. The event will include exhibits, live animals, literature, vendors and various activities.
Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!® Sarasota Fishing Seminar Scheduled for August 18-20, 2006
Women of all angling abilities can acquire and fine-tune fishing skills at the award winning "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!"® seminar! Hosted by Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and presented by Mercury Outboards, the program offers a full weekend of educational fishing activities on August 18-20, 2006 at the Sarasota Yacht Club. The Sarasota Hyatt is the host hotel.
The seminar will kick off with a welcome reception at the Sarasota Yacht Club on Friday evening, August 18th, from 6:30 - 8:30pm. The classroom portion starts at 7:30 am on Saturday, August 19th where expert instructors will teach fishing techniques at both beginner and intermediate/advanced levels. Fishing topics will be: Rod and Reel Basics (for beginners), Inshore, Offshore, Bottom and Fly Fishing. After lunch, the women will participate in several "hands-on" fishing stations, such as conservation techniques, spin casting, net casting, landing and releasing, knot tying, gaffing grapefruits, boat handling, trailer backing and reeling against pressure. On Sunday, August 20th, a fishing trip is offered, concluding with a fillet class. There are opportunities for local businesses and area anglers to participate.
Featured on Inside Edition and more, the series is supported by the FWC through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and by partners such as Mercury Outboards, Bass Pro Shops, Ranger, Boat/U.S. Marine Insurance, Gulfstream Int'l Airlines, Lowrance, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, Viper Bob's Fighting Gimbals, Magic Tilt Trailers and Marine Industries Association of South Florida. The 2006 LLGF seminar schedule concludes with a seminar in Islamorada, FL on Oct. 13-15.
Registration for the Sarasota seminar, which should be made one week in advance at the latest, is $120, including meals, T-Shirts, goody bags, door prizes and more. The fishing adventure, with fishing tackle and bait provided, is additional. Contact: LLGF, P.O. Box 550429, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33355, phone 954-475- 9068, fax 954-474-7299, toll free information 1-888- 321-LLGF (5543), email: billfishbetty@hotmail.com, website: www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.
MEMBER NEWS
Dealing with the loss of a great friend
The outdoor community lost one its greatest friends last week. You may not have heard of him. Vernon Robey liked to keep to himself. After growing up and learning to fish in the Saint Petersburg area, he fled to the peace and sanctuary of the lower Florida Keys.
And if his loss is more personal to me than a presidential funeral, I think he would not have been happier; for we shared immortal times together.
I grew up fishing alongside Vern at a place called Passage Key. There he and guys like Mike Souchak and others pioneered fly fishing for tarpon long before it became in vogue to travel to Homosassa for fly-caught silver kings.
Then he began writing about his adventures.
It is a funny thing about the outdoors. You can go to a bar and argue about football with many folks or root for political parties, but there are few people with whom you would be willing to spend time in a duck blind or a flats boat with. Vernon was that kind of guy.
After he moved to the Keys, a buddy of mine and I traveled the 70-mile drive from Islamorada to his home in the lower Keys.
We went fishing for tarpon, but Vern, ever the disciple of the long wand, brought only fly rods along. We caught the tide a bit late and had not rigged up. After all, it was a holiday for this fishing guide, and we were drinking beer, eating fresh lobster and enjoying a quick outing on the shallow waters near the Content Keys.
If you have never been there then you cannot know the nature of the place: While you fish, wild monkeys walk out on the sand bars and hoot at you. They are aggressive and perhaps dangerous. But they are a part of the panorama of the lower Keys.
We had just set up in a swash channel alongside the key and were rigging the rods when small tarpon came pouring through the slot. We all laughed because we thought we had plenty of time and they caught us off guard and unrigged.
But we quickly rigged up with large tarpon streamers and waited for the next bunch of silver kings. However, the tide did not last, and the tarpon fishing was over. Still, we cast to big bonefish on the perimeter of the channel and I actually had one try to eat a five-inch tarpon fly.
If you fish, you of course understand that the small bonefish could not get the big fly in his mouth. And to this day, I've yet to catch one on a fly, mostly because when I find bonefish, I've got a tarpon fly on my rod -- thanks to Vernon and his love of the silver king.
There were many outdoor conferences and mutual friendships we shared together. I had dinner with him in Englewood just a year or so ago -- it was fresh redfish he and our mutual friend Van Hubbard caught. At the time he seemed well, but the years had not been easy on him.
He was a bit older than I, but I remember watching him play football for Florida State University in the 1960s. But like many promising athletes, his career was cut short by injury and it plagued him until his untimely departure from this world.
My favorite memories of this guy were hunting trips. Where Vernon went, magic happened, and some of my greatest of outdoor experiences occurred with him.
We were hunting near the Fakahatchee Strand, the last refuge of the Florida panther and a place rife with native black bears, but Vern's back was killing him -- old athletic injuries no doubt.
We were with my cousin Jim Knowles and Jim shoots a longbow, the kind Robin Hood used. Now, to bag game with this device, you have to get very close. You have no sight to aim with and you have to shoot instinctively, just as the aboriginal people of Florida did.
I didn't mean to, but I tortured poor Vernon that day. Cousin Jim ventured just a few hundred yards from camp but I dragged Vern for miles, yet he seldom complained about his bad back.
Back at camp around the camp fire, Cousin Jim had bagged a nice turkey gobbler with his longbow. This primitive feat impressed Vernon so much that he wrote a column about it, comparing that feat with those of us who also handicap ourselves with fly rods and light lines, bad backs and such.
But our greatest adventure happened in those same woods during the spring gobbler season and I will never forget it.
We were stalking and listening for gobblers one day and saw several deer run away from us. The next day in the same block of woods, Vernon said, "Look at the deer." Well, I scanned the woods and couldn't see any.
"Where are you looking?" Vernon asked, and I shrugged. He said, "Look at your feet."
There, two feet from us, still as statues, were a pair of just-born spotted fawns -- remaining as still as the mother deer had commanded them to.
"Let's go around them," I said, "and leave them where they are supposed to be."
It's still one of my greatest of outdoor moments. If Vern had not been looking down and seen them, we probably would have stepped on the poor things.
On that same trip we ran into one of the greatest rarities in nature. Vernon had yet to bag a turkey and he wanted to very much. He had passed up wild hogs and wanted only a trophy bird.
But I called up an odd one. It was black like a gobbler and only the males are legal game in the spring. Yet it had the body shape of a female. When it got within about 20 feet of us, it began to strut like a gobbler.
We watched it for 20 minutes and I kept looking for a beard but could find none -- nor a red head, common to spring gobblers. I could not tell what it was and no one has ever had better looks at a turkey than this.
Finally, I told Vern to just shoot the thing and we would sort it out later. But, trophy master and conservationist that he was, he passed on the shot.
Later I told this story to a biologist, perhaps the world's expert on wild turkeys. He was kind of ticked off that we didn't shoot it and send it to him.
Such hermaphrodism in turkeys has only been described in old biology books and no modern researcher has ever been able to examine one. Killing this barren, transsexual turkey could have been a great boon to our knowledge of such things. But Vern would not shoot it.
He finally got his big gobbler on a ranch near Tampa. And he had his share of fly rod and light tackle records for many fish. Living in the Keys wasn't too bad either, though the recent hurricanes may have been a worry that caused his demise.
But for me, I'll always remember the longbow shot and his rare respect for what it was, and the small, still deer that he saw and I didn't.
Those are the marks of a great outdoorsman.
And I will miss him.
By G.B. Knowles on www.boatingandfishing.com
CORPORATE CORNER
Visitor’s Bureau Launches Two-Phase ‘Geocaching’ Initiative to Lure Visitors
Phase One Online Contest Encourages Website Visitors to Register to Win GPS Unit
The Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau is “caching” in on the latest sports craze – by giving enthusiasts an opportunity to win one of six GPS units.
It’s called “geocaching” – a hi-tech version of “hide and seek,” where participants obtain exact coordinates from a Web site or other means, which will lead them to a “cache,” usually a container with a “treasure” inside. “Treasures” vary from personal effects to novelty items to collectible coins to value-added
point-of-purchase coupons.
A cursory visit to the top Web site for geocachers – www.geocaching.com – turns up nearly 300 caches hidden within a 30-mile radius of Port Charlotte. Spread out to 50 miles, and you’ll find more that 550 caches. And the Web site’s list is by no means exhaustive – some teams maintain several sites.
In Phase One of the program, the Visitor’s Bureau hopes to attract prospective geocaching visitors to the Bureau’s official website at www.pureflorida.com through an online contest from April 3 through May 12. Online visitors who provide specific contact information will have the chance to win one of six GPS units manufactured by Garmin International Inc., a world leader in navigation and avionics equipment. One GPS unit with a retail value of $100 will be randomly selected each week. The contact information will be added to the Bureau’s database for future communication with prospective geocaching visitors.
Phase Two of the program which will offer specific travel incentives, will be debuted at the Visitor’s Bureau’s Annual Tourism Unity Luncheon for tourism industry partners scheduled for May 17, 2006 in Punta Gorda.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a satellite navigation system once confined to military use that enables users to pinpoint an exact location anywhere around the globe.
The sport of geocaching began nearly six years ago as a single group on the Internet. It has since become a global phenomenon, with an estimated 225,000 active caches in more than 200 countries. Geocaching draws participants from all walks of life – individuals, couples, families. Participants tend to be environmentally friendly, often removing trash as they pursue a cache area.”
“Geocaching isn’t about obtaining the booty or treasure as much as it is about the process of finding it,” said Liane Crawford, Marketing & Communications Manager for the Visitor’s Bureau. “It’s about fresh air, family time and sharing the adventure of using clues to search for hidden caches – even though that cache may contain nothing more than a logbook to record the find.”
“Geocaching is a perfect activity for Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands,” said Visitor’s Bureau Director Becky Bovell. “It encourages exploring our eco-tourism amenities in a unique, user-friendly way while discovering the variety of soft adventure opportunities throughout Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands. It is also an innovative marketing promotion which we believe is one of the first of its kind.”
Participants in the contest for the GPS units must be 21 years of age or older, and must register online at www.pureflorida.com.
Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands – representing the diverse areas served by the Visitor’s Bureau – is located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast. For information about other area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte County Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte; (941) 743-1900, or call toll free at 1-888-4PUR-FLA for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.pureflorida.com.
From TJ Stallings:
“Riggin’ and Fishing Story Starters”
The spring issue of “Riggin’ and Fishing Story Starters”; (http://www.truturnhooks.com/storystartersspring/) is now available. Just follow the link for five quick story ideas.
The Clarksville Bridge in south VA was lit with Hydro-Glow lights to become the world’s first, fish attracting bridge. The bridge crosses part of Buggs Island Lake which encompasses over 800 miles of shoreline. Not only is Clarksville the only town on the lake; the town sports two great hotels and some fine restaurants. Contact Larry Thornhill for more info and photos at: lthornhill@msn.com.
TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group
Home of Tru-Turn, Daiichi, XPoint, Mr. Crappie & StandOUT Hook Brands + Blakemore-Road Runner Lures, Reel Magic
P.O. Box 1177 Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone:334/567-2011 Fax:567-9788
Outdoor Writers and Dealers may call: 1-800/421-5768 X 203
Proud member of: SEOPA, TOWA, AGLOW, MOC, POWA, WOW, SCOPE and Corporate Liaison for FOWA.
From The Walker Agency
Contact: Dennis Phillips - (800) 248-9687 / dennis@walkeragency.com
Barbara Skinner (800) 643-3216/ baskinner@earthlink.net
For consumer features, list (800) 423-3537
Bushnell Outdoor Products Recognized Worldwide for Design and Performance
Bushnell Outdoor Products, a leading manufacturer of sports optics and outdoor accessories, has been recognized worldwide for the design and performance of its products in the categories of optics, digital technology and accessories.
The company has been named a 2006 Golden Bullseye Award winner for its Elite binocular by the American Hunter magazine. Each year the magazine acknowledges the finest new products available in the shooting sports. The Elite binocular was selected as Optic of the Year by a panel of editors and publication staff members. The award will be presented at the 2006 NRA annual meeting and exhibition in Milwaukee, Wis., on May 19th.
Bushnell has also taken a leadership position in the area of digital technology by incorporating emerging technologies into its line of outdoor products. As a result, the company’s Trail Scout Digital Viewer is a finalist in the selection of the 2006 High-Tech Product of the Year by Shooting Industry magazine. The company’s Stoney Point Rapid Pivot Monopod Attachment is a finalist in the magazine’s 2006 Accessory of the Year category.
On the international front, Bushnell was recognized by Lifestyle Design Yearbook in Essen, Germany, with a Red Dot Design award for the Elite 1500 laser rangefinder. An international jury of design experts chose the Elite 1500 for its product design and quality. Over 2,000 entries from 41 countries competed in the category this year for the prestigious Red Dot Awards. The awards will be presented on June 26th at the Essen Opera House in Essen, Germany.
Earlier this year, Field & Stream magazine presented Bushnell its prestigious “Best of the Best” award for the Elite 8x43mm binocular. Each year, field editors from Field & Stream magazine test hundreds of new products and recognize those that they feel are the “Best of the Best.” The award was presented in February at the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas.
The Elite Binocular Series
The Elite binocular series represents state-of-the-art optical components and high-tech design. All models feature magnesium chassis and roof prism designs that combine premium quality, fully multi-coated optics, phase corrected BaK-4 roof prisms, and the exclusive Bushnell XTR® coating system. This exclusive process produces the best possible light transmission plus full spectrum color fidelity and optical clarity.
The Elite 1500 Laser Rangefinder
The Elite 1500 was designed to meet the needs of hunters, shooters and outdoor enthusiasts. It is capable of ranging distances from 5 to 1,500 yards. A 26mm objective, fully multi-coated optics and 7x eyepiece provide bright, crisp images at any range. The Elite 1500 offers two new ranging modes. In addition to the standard mode with automatic scan, users can select from the BullsEye™ or Brush™ modes for more precise ranging to targets.
Trail Scout Viewer
The new Bushnell Trail Scout digital camera Viewer lets hunters and outdoorsmen check their digital images in the field with just the push of a button. The hand-held viewer allows instant and easy viewing of images captured on the SD cards used in the Bushnell Trail Scout digital cameras. The compact viewer features a 1.8-inch flat panel LCD screen that provides high-resolution viewing of any images the camera has captured since the last visit.
Stoney Point Rapid Pivot Monopod Attachment
The new PoleCat® Rapid Pivot Monopod Attachment quickly and easily converts any of the company’s telescoping monopods into a shooting stick. The head of the Rapid Pivot Monopod Attachment screws onto the tip of any Stoney Point PoleCat monopods. The other end clips onto the swivel stud on the rifle stock and still allows the use of a sling. The Rapid Pivot Monopod Attachment provides a steady shooting base, but allows the stock to pivot right or left, and the neck can be flexed up, down, left or right for precise sight adjustment.
Bushnell Outdoor Products is a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer products based in Overland Park, Kansas. Bushnell Outdoor Products sells its products worldwide under the Bushnell®, Browning Sports Optics®, Tasco®, Serengeti®, Bolle®,
Michaels®, Uncle Mike’s®, Uncle Mike’s Law Enforcement®, Stoney Point®, Hoppe’s®, Blackwater Gear® and Butler Creek® brand names. For information about any of these brands or products, please contact Bushnell Public Relations at (913) 752-6105.
From the Recreational Fishing Alliance:
Contact - John DePersenaire, JDePersenaire@joinrfa.org
National Research Council (NRC) confirms flawed science
Arlington, Virginia, April 5, 2006-- After years of complaints by recreational anglers to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and other agencies about the flawed recreational fishing data system, the NRC, an independent scientific body from the National Academy of Sciences, verified their concerns. On Wednesday, March 29, 2006, the NRC confirmed that the main data collection system for recreational anglers, the Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey (MRFSS), has “serious flaws in design or implementation and use[s] inadequate analysis methods that need to be addressed immediately”. RFA leaders, anglers and heads of other fishing organizations have insisted that the main methodology for sampling the universe of anglers, and determining their catch and effort, was woefully inadequate for management and policy decisions.
The NRC found the design, sampling techniques and collection fatally flawed, failing to use current survey sampling theories or even taking the human dimension of fishing into consideration. These findings prompted a recommendation by the NRC for a complete redesign of the program.
"The recreational fishing community has been saying MRFSS is seriously flawed, and has submitted data to demonstrate that fact," states Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of RFA. "The findings of the NRC report outline ways to improve the current data system that we have been advocating for years. We're hopeful that these findings will lead to a major overhaul. We applaud Dr. Bill Hogarth, Head of NMFS, for tackling this difficult issue. Dr. Hogarth has shown leadership and resolve in solving this persistent problem.”
The use of this flawed data collection over the years has caused serious economic hardship in many fishing communities throughout the U.S. Marinas and fishing-dependent businesses have been severely impacted by regulatory decisions based on MRFSS inaccuracies.
"These findings belabor the obvious," states Raymond Bogan, RFA counsel. “Data which plainly demonstrated major errors, and recommendations to help improve the system, have in the past fallen on deaf ears. Hopefully now those fisheries managers who have so staunchly supported this broken system will acknowledge its flaws and work to help fix it.”
The Nation's primary fishing law, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, is up for reauthorization this year. Current versions in the House and Senate have addressed recreational data collection concerns. We will continue to work with the sponsors to help assure this problem is fixed.
"We are hopeful that the final bill will drive these improvements to the finish line," said Donofrio.
The Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is a national 501(c)(4) non-profit grassroots political action organization whose mission is to safeguard the rights of salt water anglers, protect marine, boat, and tackle industry jobs, and insure the long-term sustainability of our nation's marine fisheries.
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