Comments on: Fly-Fishing Where the Fish Are

By: jason

jason — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:31:23 +0000

Nice post, Keep the polarized sunglasses handy and keep the tips coming

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 23:01:28 +0000

Rick- I love that! I am stealing it!
One of my very best friends is my fly mentor and he’s always correcting my sloppy casting (he’s an instructor/ guide)… every time my line snaps, he yells “11 and 1!” (My cast is particularly bad, so he pushes me pretty hard.)

By: Rick Fueyo

Rick Fueyo — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:25:13 +0000

As one who is responsible for marketing a new product whose target market is the fly fishing and off-shore fishing markets, I loved your post! One last fishing-marketing metaphor – 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock, stay within your target market and feel the rhythm.
Rick Fueyo
Director of Marketing
Obsessive Products, Inc.

By: Maura Welch

Maura Welch — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:47:16 +0000

Ann – great post! I blogged it on Boston.com today. I’m having that vacation re-entry wistfulness – missing the fishing, reading, kayaking, hanging out…so I really appreciated it. Good luck with the flycasting!

By: Steve McNamara

Steve McNamara — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 20:13:24 +0000

Hi Ann:
You really do have a mind for metaphor. Would enjoy more of the same, or something similar. With photos, of course.
Cordially,

By: Jay Silverman

Jay Silverman — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 13:46:07 +0000

Great post, Ann. I’ve been fly fishing for five years or so. I haven’t had much luck, but I’m still learning. For me, the “catching” isn’t as important as the “fishing” (don’t all the less successful say something like that?) As author John Gierach titled one of his wonderful books,”Standing in a River Waving a Stick” is way better than doing almost anything else.
Welcome to the Club. Since you started, have you noticed how many big businesses use fly fishing in their TV commercials? By the way, get a couple of Gierach’s books; he’s a great fly fishing story-teller and you can learn a lot while you laugh)

By: Andrea Learned

Andrea Learned — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 16:03:04 +0000

Fly-fishing is on my list, for just those reasons, Ann – and I think I’m about ready to learn it as well. Maybe I’ll meet you in Thetford next time?
Currently, horseback riding does the same thing for me. I had a lesson yesterday – and am still in “the zone.” Having zero expectations and only ever going once a month or so, I am thrilled to be able to canter for 30 seconds – and then spend most of my time at the stables just “being.” Om…
On a marketing note – your second point is always a good reminder for me: don’t try to control things too much. In horses, fly-fishing and business, the most amazing things happen when you have done your research/studied up, and then … let go.

By: Ann Handley

Ann Handley — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 14:41:55 +0000

Dennis & Spike — Sounds like my experience replicates what fly-fisher-people really love about fly-fishing. I well understand….it was awesome and I’m *still* carrying a bit of the calm within me. Tonic for the soul.
Aaron — That’s the LAST time I tease you. I swear. (Fingers crossed behind my back.)
David — That’s high praise from a writer like you. Thanks.
Hux — The thing is…I had ZERO expectations about fishing. I’m not sure there’s a marketing lesson in there…but there was a life lesson to let go and give things a try…you never know.
And Marianne — That division EVP must have been a fly-fisherman. : )

By: Hux

Hux — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:15:57 +0000

Simply pitching up to “try” and fly fish won’t cut it. Ann, you would not have given it a go if you knew you were not going to succeed or enjoy. It takes planning, effort, sacrafice and most of all belief in your PRODUCT (equipment etc)!.
I wonder how many people try to market something that they themselves don’t really believe in?.
The bottom line is, if you cannot believe in your absolute targeted purpose, perhaps some thinking next to the water is the next best thing…

By: marianne richmond

marianne richmond — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:12:23 +0000

Ann,
Great post! One of my most memorable moments in brand management was working forever on an elaborate BDI/CDI analysis for a Nabisco Shredded Wheat spending plan, presenting it to senior management and having the division EVP say after we droned on and on “So, Marianne what you all are saying is, fish where the fish are.”
Yep, I think that covers it.