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Appleman
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mc07fly
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 Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 5:26 pm Post subject: |
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I was thinking about the angler survey that BWF are planning for next year.
No real issues with it except that I had heard (albeit secondhand) that the "Beginners Days" hosted for the past five years or so by JH and MC
had been pretty disappointing at producing long term customers...despite being well reviewed during and after the actual event by the participants.
Its a bit like a major car dealer promoting a new vehicle test drive using Formula 1 drivers for the demo....then allowing the customer to lease the car for a few months....but being unable to make a single sale when the car was returned! (not a perfect analogy, I know, but you get the idea).
Anyway, I reckon BWF could probably learn quite a bit by contacting these "beginners" who were clearly interested before their "test" and find out what happened. Same thing with some of the anglers who used to fish regularly and no longer do. Why?
If a leading car dealership had processed over a hundred test drives over five years without a single after sale I am very sure that they would be phoning up some of the "test drivers"!!!
Just a thought,
McFly |
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Allrounder
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| Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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It looks like Bristol Water Fisheries have started to update their website for 2018 and it is worth having a look at their plans here..
I think many will also welcome their statement that 'Bristol Water Fisheries are genuinely open to new suggestions such as offering new ticket options if the angling community believes that this is beneficial to the angling community as well as in best interests of providing a financial stable future for Bristol Water Fisheries'.
There are also a few changes to the pike fishing prices and permits next season including an online system for booking tickets and more predator season permits. Details here They also plan to offer fly pike fishing again at Blagdon with details to follow.
It is good to see such a positive approach coming from BWF so soon after the end of the season. Hopefully a sign of things to come! 
Alan 
Note: just read McFly's post. Yes a good point. I wonder if thats something that could be explored through the survey?
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codfather
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| Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2017 9:10 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree with McFly's post, Chew is an intimidating place for the beginner. It takes a while to get to know all the different methods and marks. Also the transition from bank angler to boat angler. I have fished Chew for 7 years and have yet to take a boat. |
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Mallard
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 7:41 am Post subject: |
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Which has been one of my points all along. WL need a local TD style fishing guide as you have to either fish Chew regularly or be ITK to stand a chance of catching fish. I have seen anglers countless times fishing the wrong part of the lake because they were not ITK as to where to fish, which techniques etc.
A blank for many means they will not return to CV!
I have tried raising this with BW several times but as per usual, they were not interested in listening. |
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Appleman
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 1:44 pm Post subject: |
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| csfcodhunter wrote: |
Which has been one of my points all along. WL need a local TD style fishing guide as you have to either fish Chew regularly or be ITK to stand a chance of catching fish. I have seen anglers countless times fishing the wrong part of the lake because they were not ITK as to where to fish, which techniques etc.
A blank for many means they will not return to CV!
I have tried raising this with BW several times but as per usual, they were not interested in listening. |
Tony D was out on the lakes most evenings and knew where the fish were, what they were feeding on and the patterns that stood a good chance of tempting a fish or two. At Draycote, Tom Bird is on the lake several times a week as are Russell Owen, Gareth Dixon, Gareth Forge at Clywedog. If you ask any of those guys what you need and where to go to enjoy your permit purchase, to a man, they would be able to tell you......They are equipped to engage customers in a meaningful way and provide that extra bit to ensure punters have a good day......The BWF boys hardly fish the lakes anymore which is a pity.
"I have tried raising this with BW several times but as per usual, they were not interested in listening"....... I am hopeful, this is not going to be a recurring theme this time around. |
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Mallard
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Appleman wrote: |
| csfcodhunter wrote: |
Which has been one of my points all along. WL need a local TD style fishing guide as you have to either fish Chew regularly or be ITK to stand a chance of catching fish. I have seen anglers countless times fishing the wrong part of the lake because they were not ITK as to where to fish, which techniques etc.
A blank for many means they will not return to CV!
I have tried raising this with BW several times but as per usual, they were not interested in listening. |
Tony D was out on the lakes most evenings and knew where the fish were, what they were feeding on and the patterns that stood a good chance of tempting a fish or two. At Draycote, Tom Bird is on the lake several times a week as are Russell Owen, Gareth Dixon, Gareth Forge at Clywedog. If you ask any of those guys what you need and where to go to enjoy your permit purchase, to a man, they would be able to tell you......They are equipped to engage customers in a meaningful way and provide that extra bit to ensure punters have a good day......The BWF boys hardly fish the lakes anymore which is a pity.
"I have tried raising this with BW several times but as per usual, they were not interested in listening"....... I am hopeful, this is not going to be a recurring theme this time around. |
The TD saga was badly handled by BW. I know he was not a big company man etc but he enthused fly fishing for trout to many - including myself. In fact I got him wrong in my judgement to begin with and grew to like him a lot - as did many around CV.
This is what WL needs badly! |
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Allrounder
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 11:56 am Post subject: |
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Good one page spread on Chew in the latest issue of Trout and Salmon (page 48 ) which from what I know (which isn't a lot!  ) gives a good overview of the current situation.
The report includes statements from BW whose voice has been missing so far, at least as far as the public domain is concerned, so I thought it would be worth repeating their thoughts here ...
'Anglers represent a valued part of the total visitor base at our sites rather than the entirety. Our customers interests and reasons for a visit have been changing. There appears to be a long term trend of fewer people entering and participating in the sport of trout fishing and this is a real concern. Bristol Water Fisheries operate trout fishing on six reservoirs within a 5 mile radius and stock trout into other waters operated by other groups within the same area. This represents a lot of supply and cost. We feel it is fair to our company to review whether this remains sensible for our business going forward and to discuss options with local and national representatives'.
I understand there are various ideas being discussed to increase the number of trout fly fishers and we have the customer survey to look forward to but the meantime I will continue to perform my daily rain dance! It seems to have worked so far with yet more heavy rain today and hopefully if it rains enough it will fill the reservoirs up in time for the new season. I think whether the reservoirs are full and overflowing could well have as much bearing on the fishing next year as any changes that might be introduced. 
Alan
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tenet
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Any feedback from the meeting between BW and BRFFA which I believe was held earlier this week? |
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Allrounder
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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I believe the meeting took place on Monday and the BRFFA will be issuing an update to members over the coming days.
Alan
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mc07fly
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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Much appreciated the update, Allrounder.
Unless I have missed something (always a possibility these days!), the proposed 2018 pricing structure looks pretty similar to previous years except that, personally, I now have an even greater "negative incentive" of £200 to buy a season ticket for next season and hopefully book fifty half day boats versus the simple "Pay and Go" option.
So after being a devoted season ticket holder for seventeen years the message is finally getting through to me. 
Best,
McFly |
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Allrounder
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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My fishing with BWF last season was on a 'pay as I go' basis although I still ended up spending as much as a full 'All Waters' season ticket would have cost me. However I tend to do more fishing from a boat these days so buying a season ticket under the current ticketing structure and then paying for the boat , albeit with a discount, would have left me hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
Alan
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tenet
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| Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:57 pm Post subject: |
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| Mcfly, I think Al is right - forget the season ticket if you mostly boat fish. An analogy could be paying golf subs but only using the driving range |
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mc07fly
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| Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 4:42 pm Post subject: Incentivise me to fish more! |
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Tenet,
Fully agree with your conclusions.
But.... when I switched to mainly boats a few years, ago I kept my ST because I was ahead of the "Pay and Go" option if I booked at least forty half day boats per season. So I paid quite a bit up front, helped the BW cash flow and was committed to mainly fishing with BW.
I also could fish the banks on the ST Day plus a few half days for "a change of scenery".
My "break even" for an ST next season will require 80 half day boats  . I think even my very supportive Memsab will raise an eyebrow at this commitment.
I don't think BW should be incentivising me to become a "Pay and Go" mercenary but rather to stay as a loyal and committed ST holder.
Just (another) thought.
Best,
Mike |
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BristolFlyer
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| Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2017 9:41 am Post subject: |
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I work in the marketing technology industry and the basic premise is that every customer is unique and companies have to tailor their product offering accordingly or they will lose customers.
It makes no sense for a long term trusted customer like Mc07Fly who mostly fishes C&R to pay the same as someone unknown who takes 8 fish and may go on catching a ton more with barbed hooks, poor handling etc…
Hopefully we will see some more creative ticket options. |
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