Official 2015 Oregon Rockfish Classic Announcment

...Hobie has never donated a boat. They basically piggy-backed on our existing event for free promotion and to use it as a qualifier last year (please correct me if I a wrong). We had hoped they would provide the boat last year since they were using the event to promote themselves, but nope...

Why wasn't this more transparent...   
*ducks and runs for cover*


Just kidding - Thanks Craig. I think a lot of us think the same as you.

Here's a quick little questionnaire everyone should ask themselves:
Do I want to have fun?
Do I want to have fun fishing from a kayak in the ocean?
Do I want to have fun hanging out with NWKA friends?
Do I want to have fun watching other NWKA friends win some cool prizes that my little fish didn't qualify me for? (yes you do - it's fun)

If a few people don't want to show up, it will be their loss. This will be a fun event, lots of people will still show up and go home happy.

I too hope that we can start a "2015 ORC Official Announcement 2.0" thread. Craig said "taint" too many times in this one. 

This will be my first ORC and appreciate the people putting in a ton of work to make it happen and the sponsors for their generous donations. Winning a kayak is cool but for most people not what's important. I have won several kayaks over the years and ended up donating the last one to HOW. There is some satisfaction in fishing hard and coming out on top and that personal satisfaction is more Important than the prize, IMO. I think the competition for some and just having fun for others is what is all about not winning a kayak. I like competing but won't be pushing it too hard. I look forward to meeting and fishing with all of you and throwing down some cold ones Afterwards.

Scott

...Hobie has never donated a boat. They basically piggy-backed on our existing event for free promotion and to use it as a qualifier last year (please correct me if I a wrong). We had hoped they would provide the boat last year since they were using the event to promote themselves, but nope...

Why wasn't this more transparent...   
*ducks and runs for cover*


Just kidding - Thanks Craig. I think a lot of us think the same as you.

Here's a quick little questionnaire everyone should ask themselves:
Do I want to have fun?
Do I want to have fun fishing from a kayak in the ocean?
Do I want to have fun hanging out with NWKA friends?
Do I want to have fun watching other NWKA friends win some cool prizes that my little fish didn't qualify me for? (yes you do - it's fun)

If a few people don't want to show up, it will be their loss. This will be a fun event, lots of people will still show up and go home happy.

I too hope that we can start a "2015 ORC Official Announcement 2.0" thread. Craig said "taint" too many times in this one. 

I answered yes to all those questions.  I am definitely in.

 Craig,
 You made a lot of good points in that long ass post. And I can appreciate all of them. Keeping it real is always a good thing.

 I may not be able to make ORC this year depending on some upcoming medical tests. I sincerely hope my comments have not been detrimental to anyone's thinking. But I do encourage all to think, be honest , and tell the truth. If I pushed things too far--- I am sorry.

 while I do pray that I can be there to enjoy the festivities--- that may not happen this year. Only time will tell on that.

 I do hope that everything works out--it will- and all have a great time at ORC 2015. Make it happen guys.

The extended forecast is looking promising for ORC. Usually it seems like people are fretting over the conditions and talking about a trout derby or a drunken raffle 

First, thanks for those of you who have offered your services, especially for getting beer and cider (thanks williamesch and PNW).  Can't have a tournament without refreshments. Also, I left work early today to see if there was anything I could do to help.  Myself and a couple others that volunteered last year met with CJ to provide him with contacts of others that have come forward wanting to sponsor and to offer assistance if needed. Personally, from what I know now, I think things are working out just fine and I am very excited. Next employees are working hard on this, but they also have a huge event this weekend (Summer Splash) they are also working hard at planning. As for a list of sponsors, that will be up soon, but sometimes it can be held up by something as simple as getting graphics from the sponsor and an absolute firm commitment on what they will provide. It is still almost seven weeks away, so I don't understand why folks are up in arms about it.  Personally, because I have not been involved much in planning it this year, I haven't even thought much about it yet other than the fact I plan to attend.

However, like Noah, I have read through the whole thread and I noticed a whole bunch of whining.  I like being unaffiliated with any sponsor or corporation. It allows me to speak my mind.  So as a person who helped organize and run one of these, here it goes:

The funniest ( ) part of this whole thread is seeing how people think in other years this was so smooth and sweet it was like kittens, riding on the back of puppies (I am picturing Labradors of various colors) while sliding down a rainbow. It wasn't. People bitched and whined last year, too. Constantly. Sometimes through personal messages. Not as bad as this year, though. If I remember right, I was desperately trying to arrange for either Paul or Dana to pick up some donations in Springfield last year the day before the tournament because I was unable to get down there. Thanks guys.

As for transparency, not everything can be made public until it is set in stone.  If Super Awesome Prize A is announced prematurely, and things fall through, guess what -- even more bitching.  Even if Super Awesome Prize B is nearly as good. On a side note, last year we had so many people wanting to know how many slots were filled I would just semi-randomly pull numbers out of my ass and hope we had that many show. Sorry, We all had full-time jobs and had no time to constantly check. Wow, I feel better finally getting that off my chest.  A burden has been lifted.    You don't have to worry about that this year since I am not involved with that aspect.

Also, I almost forgot that in the past all decisions were done via the poll feature on NWKA to keep it transparent and democratic. Oh, wait, they weren't. That was the Fantasyland False Bumblebee Catfish Classic (it's a fish, look it up. Not many start with an F*). If all aspects would have been "transparently" voted on, we would still be planning last year's tournament this year which is why it can't be a democracy.

As for a boat as the top prize, man have we all gotten spoiled. Hobie has never donated a boat. They basically piggy-backed on our existing event for free promotion and to use it as a qualifier last year (please correct me if I a wrong). We had hoped they would provide the boat last year since they were using the event to promote themselves, but nope. The last two years Next Adventure stepped up and donated the Hobie (Thank you again NA). Prior to that, it was Ocean Kayak stepping up (Thank you OK).

For comparison purposes, if you add up the total amount of ORC participants combined in the last two years, it is less than the amount of fisherman at this year's 23rd Annual Fisherman’s Marine & Outdoor Spring Fishing Classic. Prize for heaviest fish at that event: $500. The winning boat captain and team mates each got a rod, reel, and a tackle box. But, they raised a lot of money for charity. Good on them!

For those of you who are vocal about being upset about the lack of boat, you do realize you only had approximately 0.8% chance of winning it last year (some less some more depending on skills and familiarity with Depoe Bay).  Most likely you will have similar odds this year. Although, by some recent comments, I believe your (and my) odds may be getting better since some people have decided to abstain this year for various reasons. However, what you did have last year and can still have this year is a 100% chance of having a good time (some results may vary depending on your personality)!

I for one am thankful that NA stepped up and took over running it. There is a great amount of planning and work involved with a tournament of this size. Maybe this year myself and the other planners from last year can actually fish rather than spending a good amount of time running people out of the channel where they should not have been fishing in the first place. I have heard that will definitely not be tolerated this year. Big brother will be watching from the bridge.

Haven't heard anything about chow at ORC this year. Will there be a Fish Taco Feeding Frenzy

As for questions about pot luck, etc... that thread was started by Sumpnz last year (thanks again Sumpnz). A majority of the threads were started by NWKA forum members not the planning committee. We were busy getting sponsors, dealing with government officials (all were positive interactions), responding to complaints, etc...  If you want pot luck, start a thread to get volunteers to cook it, clean fish, bring oil, breading, etc... No one is preventing people from getting the ball rolling. As for me, I will offer to bring my deep fryer and propane again, and whatever else will fit in my trailer that needs to be hauled out from Portland if Next or HOW needs help. As long as there is beer and the company is good, I will also help clean fish again.

In summary, I ask...nay, I plead that you all have patience. It will happen, it will be fun, and there will be awesome prizes and beer/cider. There always is. Also, I hope that when everything is finalized, we can start a "2015 ORC Official Announcement 2.0" thread, because this one went a little sideways especially when we got way off track with taxes, etc...

I will leave you with a positive: Gas is about a dollar cheaper** per gallon thus far this year than last. So getting there will be significantly cheaper. https://www.oregon.aaa.com/gas-prices/
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*My claim that there are not many fish starting with an F may be wrong, I just did a quick google search. If you want to point out how wrong I am, please start a new thread so you don't taint this already tainted thread.

**please do not now convert this to a thread about how statistically gas will go up in the summer (You know who you are). I know that. However, the overall price trend this year is lower.

Craig - If it's ok with you, I'd like to talk with you about some of this stuff Friday night if we can connect in camp. I'll send a pm w/ phone # if you don't already have it. Sometimes talking face to face avoids misunderstandings.

PLEASE NOTE;

First load out of supplies taking place tonight. HOW is going to do the same kind of deal as last year, just more prompt than last year. Friday night spaghetti feed and Sunday breakfast burritos. Details forthcoming, but don't pack food and ice for Friday and whatever for your way out.

Just bring some petty cash.

Craig - If it's ok with you, I'd like to talk with you about some of this stuff Friday night if we can connect in camp. I'll send a pm w/ phone # if you don't already have it. Sometimes talking face to face avoids misunderstandings.

Sounds good.  I got your numbers. See you there.  Also, this reminds me I need to rent a campsite. I had forgotten.

Hey guys I'm planning on trying to Make it out next weekend, I'm sure everyone has already made most of their plans, I would be happy to pick someone up along the way to save cost on the trip if anyone is interested hit me up. I'm also wondering if I have to pre-register? Or can I register friday evening when I get there? Any info would be awesome thanks guys.

Aw`DAM!  I`M GETTING FRICKEN ANTSY!!!!! 

Hey guys I'm planning on trying to Make it out next weekend, I'm sure everyone has already made most of their plans, I would be happy to pick someone up along the way to save cost on the trip if anyone is interested hit me up. I'm also wondering if I have to pre-register? Or can I register friday evening when I get there? Any info would be awesome thanks guys.

See the link to next adventure on the first page of this thread.