fly fishing, conservation and politics.
Key grip and trout wrangler at the Middle River Group, LLC. Playing Doc Holliday to the Wyatt Earps of the fish and wildlife conservation world. Deputy Director, Marine Fish Conservation Network. Guide and instructor, Mossy Creek Fly Fishing. Freelance outdoor writer.
By Tom Sadler
Trout Unlimited applauds Federal Judge’s decision to prevent West Virginia mountaintop removal mining companies from filling valleys with mining waste. Here is TU’s Press Release.
This destructive practice has go on for far to long. Finally some much needed scrutiny and review is taking place.
By Tom Sadler
One of the most important tools for conservation is the tax deduction available for land owners who donate the value of conservation easements that permanently protect protect their land under that conservation easement.
The deduction is set to expire at the end of the year.
On March 31, Representatives Thompson (D-CA) and Cantor (R-VA) introduced the Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1831, making this valuable conservation tool permanent.
Donating a conservation easement is a big financial decision for many landowners. Under current law conservation easement donors can:
• Deduct up to 50% of their adjusted gross income in any year;
• Deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income if the majority of that income came from farming, ranching or forestry; and
• Continue to take deductions for as long as 16 years.
Making the conservation easement incentive permanent will help working lands stay working lands and provide important conservation benefits for everyone.
By Tom Sadler
One of the great things about social networking is how evolutionary it is. What I mean is it is constantly adapting, growing and for the most part improving.
So in this case my thinking has also evolved.
On Friday, I was listening to a podcast of hubspot tv (episode 32, a 5 star performance with a very funny start). They made a good case for making some of your facebook information public.
What convinced me was Mike Volpe’s point that much of that info is already public, so why not share it on facebook. In some respects he noted it was like LinkedIn.
He also reinforced the point that you can control how much of your profile is public. So for the basic info why not put it out there.
To connect this back to my fly-fishing analogy in an earlier post, I do want people to know I am a fly-fisher. I enjoy sharing my knowledge of fly-fishing. Same for being a conservation lobbyist.
If I want to fish in new places or learn new tips and tactics then I need to be plugged into the networks that provide that info. That could be shops, clinics, shows or on the stream. Same again for conservation issues. I enjoy being part of those conversations.
I may not recognized on the street but i wear some of my fishing or conservation affliations on sleeve so to speak (my hat or shirt or tie…). Occasionally someone will note that and strike up a conversation.
Social networking is just that, networking in new social venues. You have to be seen in the network to get the most benefit from it.
So now my basic info is public on facebook. We just have to see what happens.
By Tom Sadler
Is it just me or aren’t there more important things to worry about then whether the President of the United States, or anyone for that matter uses a teleprompter?
Really, what’s the big deal? I use notes when I give a speech or make a presentation. If I could afford a teleprompter i would use one.
just sayin…..
By Tom Sadler
Twitter is one of my favorite tools for staying informed. Recently @karenrubin from @hubspot posed the following question.
“has anyone put their facebook profile public yet? if not are you going to?”
To which I replied, “@karenrubin don’t think I will be doing that. Might get 2 unwieldy. BTW hope you have great show on @hubspot tv 2day!”
In reply she posed another question.
“@troutscout thanks! I am worried about the un-wieldiness of it too, but at the same time want to promote my personal brand – what to do!?!”
I didn’t think I could do justice to her question in 140 words let alone 140 characters, hence this post…
My take on @karenrubin’s question about promoting personal brands is to use content to increase awareness. Something I hear repeatedly on @hubspot tv. from her and @mvolpe
@KarenRubin has content in at least three places. On @hubspot‘s blog, on hubspot tv and on her own blog gormandizing.
As a fly-fisherman I have to figure out what will get the fish to accept my presentation as food and commit to an action. The info cycle helps refine my presentation and improve my success. Content, in this case the right fly is key.
I have applied that thinking to my professional work as well. It works for me. CC Chapman – @cc_chapman – on twitter, made a similar point on @hubspot tv recently. If i provide valuable content, in my case lobbying skills and knowledge of conservation policy, then i will attact clients.
For me in my professional life as in fishing it is not a numbers game. What is most important is reaching the correct audience. On twitter I really don’t care how many folks follow me. I follow who interests me so I can learn from them. I figure the same thing applies to those who follow me.
If they like the content then they follow. If the fish likes the fly they strike.
Because of her content @KarenRubin has me in effect promoting her personal brand by virtue of this blog post.
If on the other hand the question is where you want to send those people if they want more of that content then I think it requires making a distinction between personal and professional personas.
I believe it was Mark Drapeau aka @cheeky_geeky on twitter who wrote something along the lines that Linked In was his rolodex, and facebook was his scrapbook. I think that is a good way to look at it
Linked In is where I send colleagues, clients and potential clients who are interested in my background. Here is my Linked In profile. I keep that area strictly professional. This blog is there and I keep these posts relevant to my professional interests such as hunting, fishing, conservation and journalism.
Facebook is where my non-business persona resides. I don’t keep my facebook content from my clients but I don’t just add folks randomly either. I am happy to add folks when they become friends. I make friends pretty easily so I add people as I get to know them.
My clients know I am on facebook and have not asked to be “friends”. If and when they do I will explain they are now asking for something other than a business relationship and content on facebook does not reflect my professional life and should not be judged as such. If I think they can and will understand and accept the difference than I will “friend” them.
Opening up your profile on facebook will certainly increase exposure. That is true of a blog, podcast or live video, and you are more likely to attract folks who are interested in your content in those venues.
If I just cast a fly in the water, any water, I have to expect an unexpected result. Not always a bad thing. On the other hand if I want to catch brook trout I have to fish in brook trout water and use a fly I think, or experience has shown me, will increase the chances of a strike.
I like that element of control and structure in my fishing and professional life. For me content, be it words or flies, is the best way to increase awareness. I think I will keep it that way for now with facebook as well.
By Tom Sadler
Two weeks ago, I had a chance to spend some time at the Western Virginia Sports Show. Mark Hanger, the producer and owner of the show impressed me with his commitment to conservation and getting families interested in the great outdoors.
When I caught up with Hanger at the show I asked him how the attendance was. He told me it was better than they expected given the economy, then he made an interesting observation.
“The only thing we can point to is they want to be happy for a while, they don’t want to hear any bad news. They want to be enlightened, entertained and come out and spend some time with their family at a reasonable cost and have some good entertainment,” he said.
In his show brochure Hanger said “on your next trip, take a young person with you and teach them to love, respect and enjoy God’s great outdoors.”
I asked him about getting kids into the outdoors.
“There is no doubt about it that that is the most important because it is our future. If we don’t get children in the outdoors, then our sports are going to diminish and be gone forever,” he said.
Hanger pointed out a number of educational elements at the show including the Bucks, Bows and Does, Outdoor Adventure archery education trailer and the show’s wild game display.
A great example of getting kids engaged in the outdoors was the Orange County High School Anglers Club. They are a 4-H and Junior B.A.S.S. Federation Nation club.
The club is made up of students ages 11 to 19 who love to bass fish competitively.
I spoke with Becky Gore, the club’s advisor. Gore is a teacher and a former coach. She is the power house behind the club and a joy to talk with. If every school in the Valley can find a Becky Gore, then fishing will have a very bright future.
Gore told me how she got the club started.
“In 1999, about ten years after my husband had died, I had just gotten my kids in college. I decided I wanted to start fishing again, so I went to the high school principal and said I would like to start a fishing club and she said ‘sure, go for it,’ ” Gore said. “We have three entities, we were first 4-H and the high school together, and then the B.A.S.S. Federation found out about me and they were trying to implement a youth program in Virginia. They called me up and asked me if would I be interested. I asked what they could do for my kids. They said they could advance to a world level. I said ‘Sure, let’s do it.’ Plus, they mentioned the word scholarship and I jumped on it.”
Gore told me what other high schools could do to get do to get the program started. She ticked these items.
“You’ve got to have someone who loves kids and loves being with kids and is willing to do it without getting compensated,” she said. “You’ve got to have some kids that are interested. Once those kids approach that principal and say ‘We want a bass club,’ then that principal may go out or tell those kids, ‘Well, you find a sponsor and then we will do it.’ ”
Gore told me the kids can receive their high school letter if they meet the criteria. She has developed that criteria and told me that all another coach or teacher needs to do is contact her and she would be happy to share it with them.
“And that is the other cool thing about this, it’s parents and kids working together,” she said. “And the other thing I have tried to do is give the kids an opportunity to be with their parents. Be with their dads or moms out on the water on a Saturday or Sunday.”
Gore credits the parents, students and her volunteers for making the program a success. She considers them all family.
Nothing is more important for the future of hunting and fishing than helping the next generation learn about the sports we love. Let’s all do a little more where we can.