Looking for your input!

[Brian]

OK guys, I've had this new forum up and running now for several months and am looking for some input. As we continue to grow, I am concerned that things may go stale. My goal is to keep this forum active and informative, and as we grow I feel it is important to get your feedback. Here are a few questions to consider:

• Have you discovered any features that are not offered here, that you would like to see added?
• Do you like the layout as it is, or should it be tweaked in some way?
  
• Are there any other catagories that need to be added?
  
• Any ideas for new contests or swaps?
  
• Should we consider any subscriber services that will only be available to members who donate to the site?(I have mixed feeling about this one!)
  
• Any other ideas that would make this forum better?
  

Remember, this is your forum, and I want all of you to get the most out of it. Please give me any suggestions that you feel would make your experience here more enjoyable.

Thanks...Brian

[FishinSinsation]

the chat room feature is nice on some sites, but could result in less posts.. i dont know..

[Andrew]

You could resurrect the invitational "Member's Forum." Something like that always adds a nice dimension for the more faithful and helpful members.

It is hard trying to keep the small-community feel with an expanding membership, though. I guess it's one of those pro vs. con things. 

Andrew

[rvrfshr]

How about a "conservation corner" or something of the sort where members might access involvement in the helping of the native species through any type of involvement?

Field tests or product reviews?

Raffle or monthly/quarterly giveaway provided by member donations or through sponsors? (Gear, trips, whatever)

Just some thoughts...

[Brian]

Good input guys! I like Andrews idea of a members only board like we had on the old forum. Kinda nice to share a few more details without the whole world reading about it.  I may go ahead and try this to see how it works. It will only be available to contributing members and I can set the permissions so only those members I specify can see the board, it will be invisible to the rest of the crowd.

I will also look into adding a chatroom, I actually already have one but am not happy with the look of it.

Field tests, product reviews, raffles, ......all good ideas and I may add these in the near future as well. Keep the ideas coming.

[Dragfreedrift]

My 2c would be that we shouldn't be so afraid to talk politics.....lets face it guys, steelhead and salmon are influenced by politics and private interests (business interests)

I am not suggesting a screaming match scenario between members, but rather an environment where we could all be alerted in time for game commish meetings, important press releases, etc. and then have civil debates and conversations.


If we turn our backs, the fish will be lost.


DFD

[BC Steel]

You mean like "flossing" debates?       

[bugnuts]

Hey DFD,

I've been known to engage in some lengthy and sometimes heated political debates about fishing-related topics on a few other boards, but one of the things that has always kept me active here is the consensus among Steelhead Notebook members to keep politics out of this particular forum.  I don't think anyone is really "afraid" to talk politics here other than the effect it may have on the tone of the board, and I know for certain that we are not turning our backs on the issues by choosing to keep our posts on this board out of the political arena.

When I need a good dose of political opinion and partisanship, I'll pay a visit to washingtonflyfishing.com, Bob Ball's piscatorialpursuits.com or gamefishin.com.  Then, when I've had my fill of flames and barbs, I'll come back to the old mellow Notebook to read and post about techniques, reports and stories.  For me, it's kinda like having an intense but healthy conservative v. liberal, cougar v. husky, or God v. Darwin argument at the local tavern, and then coming home to the wife and kids...the last thing I want to do at home is argue any of that cr@p (especially since I married a husky  ).

Brian has always wanted this forum to be different in this regard, and I think he has been remarkably successful in keeping things much more light-hearted than those other sites.  It's consistent with B Mac's view of fishing:  no matter how slow it has been or how cr@ppy the conditions, I can't tell you how many times I've heard him say, "This next hole always has a fish in it...we're gonna find one I just know it."     I hate those glass is half full guys. 

[spinnerfish]

I gotta agree with Bugnuts on the politics. One of the major things that attracted me to this site is the lack of politics. I like the fact that its a nice place to share your fishing stories and pics, a couple techniques here and there that work for ya, and you don't have to get your blood pressure up reading about all the bad things going on in our little corner of the world related to the "environmental issues" and the " fly vs. hardware issues" etc. Its really lighthearted here, and thats the way I like it. Just my two cents. If I want to read about that stuff and add my opinion there are plenty of other sites to go to.

[Brian]

Those of you that know me can back up my claim that I am probably more passionate about steelhead and fishng for them than most anglers. I have a very strong desire to do whatever I can to protect these marvelous fish and I have been known to take a very strong stance on certain issues regarding habitat, netting, C & R etc. I have however tried to refrain from bringing many of these convictions to this board. If any of you want to discuss with me any of the issues that affect our sport then invite me out for a barley pop sometime and you'll probably hear more than you'd like about my views on steelheading. Otherwise I will try to avoid these topics here. I don't mind sharing info about these issues, I just want to keep them from getting too heated! Hope you all understand and appreciate this, if not drop me a line and let me know why!

If you want me to add a seperate section for newsworhty items that impact our sport I can sure do that.

[chumdog]

I'm with ya boys.  I have strong opinions about all the issues, and politicians, but would rather not delve into those discussions here in the open forum.  No matter what we do to try to keep it civil, eelings do get hurt, and that only leads to bad mojo, and ultimately less fishing.

Bugs, I knew I liked your Husky wife for some reason when I met her.

The Diamond Dawgs are in pulltab 4/29, 30 and 5/1 for a 3 game series.  How about best of 3 loser buys breakfast before our annual "Return to youth trip?"

[Brian]

If you want to support sportfishing interests you can follow this link:

http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=021239

If you haven't already please consider sending your e-mails tonight.
That's as political as I will get here.

[Steelheader69]

Ewwwwww Bugnuts.  Yeah, that political area has been a sore spot on WFF.com.  Some of us would like it to be gone.  Started out just supposing to be "fish politics" and escalated from there.  Hopefully it'll go away soon.

Chatrooms are nice.  Usually posting doesn't suffer too much.  Most of the more popular boards have them.  Usually you have guys who hate chatting, so will post.  Those in the chat rooms will still surf the posts, since not all topics will be spoken in the chatroom. Usually more BS'n or talking about hooking up for trips (and lots of other stuff, right Casey ).  Nice addition though.  But not needed. 

[SiletzHaunts]

I have an idea. what if you schedule a quaterly fishing marathon between donating members at a different river each quarter. you could post it in your members only forum. And do it just like a swap, people with drift boats take one group one day and then take a different group the next day. make it a two day event of camping and fishing. that i think would boost the forum post's as we meet each other and become better friends as group. you could even make it a friendly competition having everybody show up with a piece of there prized tackle (bobbers,jigs,spinner,spoons, etc.) and have the person with the most or nicest fish win the gear.  I think as long as the group isnt too large it would be a great deal. what do you guys think?

[Brian]

Interesting concept Kyle! I think this idea has some merits, although I'm not sure about making a contest out of it. In Washington, I'm pretty sure you need a permit to put on any kind of fishing contest. I do like the idea of possibly a subscribing member get together at a different location each quarter. Let me think about how to best organize an event like this and get back to everyone with some ideas. If anyone has any suggestions, or wants to take the lead on this project let me know.