Since between now and November you’re bound to hear countless opinion polls, straw polls, and reporters’ questions to the man on the street, I thought I’d add to it by asking a bunch of people what they thought of online media options as they pertain to fishing.

I asked people about online fishing media in three different settings:

1.) At press events, where I’ve been exposed to many informal beer-fueled conversations with “bidness types”–editors, publishers, photographers, PR reps, marketers, manufacturers, business owners, fishing guides,  etc.

2.) Because air travel today generally sucks, I’ve also spent time in airport bars talking to random delayed people who happen to love fishing or fly fishing or whatever. (There are more fishermen in airport bars than you would think. When they notice your carry-on rod tube they come out of the woodwork.)

3.) I asked anglers I met while actually fishing.

I started writing down what they had to say in a notebook. So, based on that, here’s a completely informal and unscientific look at how people view what’s currently out there:

Blogs–Since I have this here blog, I really wanted to hear peoples’ thoughts.

Bidness types said a few things. Collectively, it seems, blogs can wield influence, but individually they’re “too uneven and unpredictable.”  Another said, “Blogs give street cred.”

I asked random fishing people if they could name a single fishing blog. Overwhelmingly, most couldn’t. When people could, the blog most often mentioned first was Buster Wants to Fish.

Those who actually read or have heard of blogs said of them (as individual entities): “Bloggers come in hot and run out of things to say.” Another, “Look Mom, I have a blog!” Not all were bad: “They say things nobody else does.”

Forums–A lot of guys had bad opinions of them, specifically how people behave on them. “People lose their fucking minds on forums,” one guy said. “The problem,” said another, “is one group forms a dominant clique, and they bully everyone else out of there.” Other problems included issues with axe grinders, people who use them to find hot spots, and general bad information. But most random people I spoke to either anonymously browse forums, or are signed up to one or more.

Official Media Sites–That is, sites attached to traditional print magazines. “Boring.” “Tired.” “Repackaged.”  “Static.” “Neglected.” Not too much enthusiasm.

This Is Fly–Fly fishermen I met under 30 brought it up unsolicited. The kids love it. When I asked about it, most couldn’t recall any specific articles or reasons why, but just liked the whole vibe. One astute person likened it to catching on to a funky new band at the ground level before anyone else really knows about it.

Some bidness types weren’t sold, calling it “a gimmick.” But more paperless click-through mags–specifically Fly Fishing Life and Catch Magazine–are on the scene, so we’ll see how it all plays out.

Midcurrent–Probably the most recognized media site not affiliated with a print magazine or forum. Many people had heard of it and a lot check in to get the daily news links.

Youtube–”Can you believe all the stupid shit?” “Another: “Great for unintentional comedy.” Another: “I can only watch someone reeling in a fish so many times.” That said, many people admitted they searched Youtube for something fishing related.

So, there you have it, an unofficial man on the street poll. What’s the point here? You’re all worthless and week. Now drop down and give me twenty. There is no point. Just a bunch of notes about what some people think. Take it or leave it.