dezza
Well-known member
I was asked to start this thread by a FM member who is known to most of us, but who shall stay nameless.
I have been sponsored by two tackle manufacturers in my life, the first one being the Sheffield based company: Sportex, in the 60s. I received a variety of tackle items from them, including various cash amounts to cover expenses.
The second time was by the distributor of a famous UK based range of fly fishing tackle, especially fly lines, which shall be nameless.
I did OK out of Sportex as fortunately most of their tackle was pretty fair in terms of quality. However the other company was in the early stages of development and their fly lines particularly were absolute junk. And yet I was forced to fish with them and to recommend them to the beginners I was teaching to cast. Having to do so cost me a lot of fish, and I daresay some respect!
**** Walker once told Pete Stone that he never took any money from anyone in the tackle trade, and because of that he could say or write anything he wanted about any make or type of tackle. He said if an item of tackle was given to him for test, he never asked a fee, but would take the item of tackle if it was any good.
One thing I have noticed in some magazines is that mention is made of a contributors sponsor as if it was the norm for every contributor to have a sponsor. In other words, the editor might be of the opinion that if you don't have a sponsor, you may not be good enough to write a decent article, or to pass on some of your experience. Personlly I feel that there is too much sponsorship floating around and if the writer recommends an item of tackle, he is biased anyway.
So I tend to want to read articles by unsponsored anglers these days.
What about you?
I have been sponsored by two tackle manufacturers in my life, the first one being the Sheffield based company: Sportex, in the 60s. I received a variety of tackle items from them, including various cash amounts to cover expenses.
The second time was by the distributor of a famous UK based range of fly fishing tackle, especially fly lines, which shall be nameless.
I did OK out of Sportex as fortunately most of their tackle was pretty fair in terms of quality. However the other company was in the early stages of development and their fly lines particularly were absolute junk. And yet I was forced to fish with them and to recommend them to the beginners I was teaching to cast. Having to do so cost me a lot of fish, and I daresay some respect!
**** Walker once told Pete Stone that he never took any money from anyone in the tackle trade, and because of that he could say or write anything he wanted about any make or type of tackle. He said if an item of tackle was given to him for test, he never asked a fee, but would take the item of tackle if it was any good.
One thing I have noticed in some magazines is that mention is made of a contributors sponsor as if it was the norm for every contributor to have a sponsor. In other words, the editor might be of the opinion that if you don't have a sponsor, you may not be good enough to write a decent article, or to pass on some of your experience. Personlly I feel that there is too much sponsorship floating around and if the writer recommends an item of tackle, he is biased anyway.
So I tend to want to read articles by unsponsored anglers these days.
What about you?
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