TPO "gut check"

[Magnet]

As we exceed 1000 members I am wondering what does it mean for the TPO site? Its a nice milestone but where does TPO go from here? Will we be merely a forum where guys exchange ideas and experiences about fly fishing? The web is loaded with lots of places where we can go to compete for bragging rights and inflate our fish counts. Or will there be enough committment to enable TPO to become much more? Can we really expect the administrators to keep pumping out videos, tips and other information while absorbing the costs themselves? That's why when the "rockstar" concept was brought in I thought it was a great idea and I was exited about the potential for the future. We have the technical expertise to do the work and the world class fishing knowledge readily available to develop and present cutting edge material. As good as this web site is, I envision that it could be much more. Remember,there is one thing we all have in common. We all get great enjoyment and fulfillment by spending many hours standing in the middle of a river. What's it worth to improve ones experience out there? Could we put a price on it? Probably most of you are like me and don't want to think about all the money you have spent on fly fishing books, DVD's, clinics and what ever else you think at the time will up your game. If you are honest with yourselves, you will probably come to the conclusion that this web site has given you more usable information than all of that stuff put together. Buying into "rockstar" seems like a good investment if you really think about it.

[LopatNympher]

What he said. I mean come on, 4 bucks a month? You guys probably got that laying on your dresser top. Think what this site could be with 4 grand a month to work with.

[Davyfly]

It amounts to a bottle of beer, a gallon of gas, a pack of smokes, it nothing at the end of the day for the benefits of what TPO offers.

DW

[Rainbow]

I'm new here, and really just liked helping out some local guys keep up a nice site that discusses a lot about my local rivers, etc. I also just started tying and love the videos....so was happy to support the site.

That being said lets be realistic - 99% of the stuff can be found via Google for free, especially if people are looking to save money anywhere they can right now. If there wasn't a TPO, there would be another place where trout fishermen who like to hang online would go. Having run sites in the past, people migrate in groups to where everyone else goes.....That being said I like this site, as its not full of bullshit and internet know-it-alls...The guys who run it obviously put some hard work into it. Well worth it.

I think continued emphasis on technique videos, tying clips, etc would be a huge benefit. I'm pretty new to the sport and this is stuff I look for when killing time surfing the web.

It also might be beneficial to have a lot of fresh stuff for novices who stop by the site, most wont pay any money to look at the same 20 guys trout pics over and over..those guys will always support the site. Then again, how much do you want to grow? Many sites fall apart when they get big.

And Hey- how about 10% off at HRO for paid members?!....they get a lot of good plugs here....I'd certainly sign up every year.

;D

[Magnet]

Its great that you support the site Rainbow. Hopefully you will find the other 1 percent piece of the puzzle here.

[alanb_ct]

Rainbow:

99%. ???? I consider that a disrespectful comment. You do understand that we generate content on our own time, and don't get paid for it, right?

[AaronJasper]

I can't believe that you would say that you can find all this somewhere else, and then in the same paragraph ask us to put up content geared to your expectations... Unreal if you ask me? I am sure that we will get right on it!

[kyle]

I'm with alain and Aaron on this. You can't find anywhere near 99% of the knowlege found here on any other one site. But besides that these guys don't get paid to bring this content to you they're working their asses off to bring you information (information that they don't have to share remember) because they want to see you become a better fisherman. I've tried googling Euro-nymphing,wetflies and everything inbetween but I've found nowhere near the amount of expert knowlege so well organized in one place. But besides the wealth of knowledge, like I said before the willingness of the moderators and major contributors to share the things they have learned on their own time with their own resourses is something that I've never found anywhere else. Go ahead and try it, google fly fishing forums and see if you can find a staff so dedicated, when you find it let me know.

By the way Juice, I've been meaning to ask how do I go about signing up for the rockstar thing?

[Walshmiko]

Go Ahead Rainbow Yahoo Shortline Nymphing, Or Euro Lone line.. See what you come up with. This site is rich with knowledge Because the people giving the advice spend some real time on the water. Trust me I been In this sport since I was knee high to my father and now im a grown adult and this site is where I go for my questions to be answered.. Granted there are a lot of beginners, but there on the right track by being a tpo member. I couldn't believe what was said, its almost like biting the hand that feeds you..I don't care if you have been fishing for 20 years, if you just starting tying flies, your new to this sport.. Its not until you tie flies that you understand the larger picture, and Im sure there's a few guys on here that could teach you a thing or two with out a Goggle search

[nutman]

ill say this much ,this site was started as a site where people just talked about trout fishing .the info was free and it was cool .No other site that i know of is like this .yes they have put some time and money into this site and yes i remember when it was black and white !I like that it is free and the info from everyone has been shared freely and i thank all the guys for their time .
I give my comments for free on here as do most of you ,at the moment i cant afford to pay for something extra .So im just going to say thanks to you guys who have put your time in on here and spent money to make this site ,thanks for the help and the advice from everyone on here .
The nutman