NWKA AOTY (angler of the year)

Zee ... a little birdie told me there is a kayak prize for NCKA AOTY as well.

Awesome! With the way this year's NCKA AOTY went down they totally deserve it.

Z

Hmmmm...   time for me to learn to bass fish!   

I was thinking that maybe there is a way to fit in some "jackpot" points.

If I burn my prize kayak on this yearlong event, then if we wanted to have a big draw event, I wouldn't have a big draw prize.  I really do like having group events and meeting you all.  So one thought was to have a 150 point bonus (or some point bonus) to winners of select events, one in WA and one in OR.

Or am I just complicating things too much?  I think I may be, but wanted to put it out on the table.

-Allen

I'm going to go ahead and put a field in the database so that everyone can identify which state/province that the fish they enter was caught in.  Later we can slice and dice as you wish.  I think prizes for overall AOTY and not by state would be best.  The state level breakdown might just seems like a good data mining exercise.   Speaking of which, if anyone has any other data considerations we might what to add speak up now.  I'm thinking something like the make of the kayak used might be neat.

Brian

Polepole,

Like yourself, I'm sorry to exclude anybody at all but we've got to be at least a little bit reasonable.  I'm liking the idea of a Wa / Or contest.  So as a Wa resident, can I catch my big bass in OR?  And is there any chance that we can add any more species at this late date?  I'd like to see catfish added in (I'm feeling lucky that way).

Also like yourself, I especially like to meet everybody at the big gatherings and so I absolutely like the idea of giving out extra points at the state tounaments to further entice kayakers to come fish with us.

You're the big prize guy, Pole.  So of course it's your call.  But I gotta say that I think I like the way you're thinking on this thing so far.  Just don't catch very big fish this year, okay?

Fishin-T

I like the way this is unfolding, and I think I have pertinent input:  living in Humboldt I am far removed from most of the NCKA population, and two species, striper and sturgeon, require long travel, or just don't fish for them.  For this reason, and because I'm not a bass guy, I am drawn to the AOTY competition for the big fish per species prize.  It's also really fun to meet up with other NCKA members, and I think talk of getting bonus points for attending a tournee or other get-together is cool because the camaradery is really tops.  So I'd encourage you not to think of who can play in terms of where they live - leave it open and let the entrants decide, but consider enticing all by having the big per species size.  Granted, Alaskans will have an advantage in some areas (just as us Humboldter's do in some...), but it also opens Alaska to the competition for everyone entered...  The Alaskan yakkers need their own AOTY at some point, but I imagine they're still building members.  Just as I may see an AOTY for just Humboldt yakkers some day. 

And if any of you guys are doing yak-fishing along the S. Oregon coast I'd be into hooking up.   

Eric

So as a Wa resident, can I catch my big bass in OR?

That's the thought.

And is there any chance that we can add any more species at this late date?  I'd like to see catfish added in (I'm feeling lucky that way).

I think we probably have enough species as it is.  That's a lot of fishing to try to get them all.

Also like yourself, I especially like to meet everybody at the big gatherings and so I absolutely like the idea of giving out extra points at the state tounaments to further entice kayakers to come fish with us.

I'm starting to like this idea.  Not only should the AOTY be a consistent year long angler.  But he should also be able to fish under pressure during a weekend event.

-Allen

I like the way this is unfolding, and I think I have pertinent input:  living in Humboldt I am far removed from most of the NCKA population, and two species, striper and sturgeon, require long travel, or just don't fish for them.  For this reason, and because I'm not a bass guy, I am drawn to the AOTY competition for the big fish per species prize.  It's also really fun to meet up with other NCKA members, and I think talk of getting bonus points for attending a tournee or other get-together is cool because the camaradery is really tops.  So I'd encourage you not to think of who can play in terms of where they live - leave it open and let the entrants decide, but consider enticing all by having the big per species size. 

Thanks for the feedback Eric, interesting and very pertinent point of view.  If I can get enough prizes, I will have some individual species prizes.  It'll probably be hard to get a prize for panfish.  And catching a halibut is rare enough in WA and OR that there is a distinct possibility that no one gets one.  But a salmon prize is very doable.

Granted, Alaskans will have an advantage in some areas (just as us Humboldter's do in some...), but it also opens Alaska to the competition for everyone entered...  The Alaskan yakkers need their own AOTY at some point, but I imagine they're still building members.

Yup.  Consider that right now we don't have any members from AK and very few that will fish up there this year.  Same for BC and ID.

Just as I may see an AOTY for just Humboldt yakkers some day. 

Any chance of a tournament in your neck of the woods this year?  Or perhaps in far southern Oregon tournament.  A nice NCKA/NWKA mixup.  I know there was an informal MBF tournament in Brookings last year with 7-8 participants.  Maybe we need to get Hawk to put one on?

-Allen

Ah, I didn't know you're so short on members from the more remote and less populated states/areas...

I'd love to see a tournee here, Allen.  Trinidad would be a good spot with Summer opportunities for salmon, rockfish, lingcod, halibut, crab, ab...  And we could surely fish the protection of the harbor even if the wind and swell didn't cooperate.  A dream tournee for me would be at Shelter Cove, with all the same species I named above.  I'd bet Hawk would be jazzed to help coordinate, and I'd be glad to be involved.  I'll start a dialogue with him about it.

Eric

Maybe it's just too early still, but anyone besides Zeelander, PolePole, and myself going to do AOTY this year?  I'm starting to wonder if only NorCal transplants are in to this.   

Right now we are the only ones who have registered on the AOTY site.  Even if you haven't paid yet or aren't sure you want to pay, I'm hoping you sign up now so that you can play with the system and help me work out any bugs.  It's a lot easier to do that now before any real fish get caught this year. Note that I mean that in both the "once we have real data it's harder to change things" way as well as the "once there is more real fishing to be done, I'm not going to have time to fix this" way.

Thanks,
Brian   

I'm planning to play, Brian, just been godawful busy!

So, when I go icefishing this weekend, do I have to sit in my inflatable, so that the fish count?

So, when I go icefishing this weekend, do I have to sit in my inflatable, so that the fish count?

As long as you row out to them.   

No worries Brian,  it's winter time and a bit slow around here ... pretty typical.  The boyz will perk up as soon as it comes time to do more kayak fishing.

-Allen

One more thing ... I talked to Charles last night and he said he was "in" but that he didn't have a Paypal account.  If you don't have a Paypal account and don't want to sign up for one, just drop me a PM and I'll let you know where to mail a check.

-Allen

Can you add a a field for fly fishing vs. conventional?  No promises on this one, but I think it would be cool to see who gets the largest fly caught fish.  Thanks.

-Allen

Can you add a a field for fly fishing vs. conventional?  No promises on this one, but I think it would be cool to see who gets the largest fly caught fish.  Thanks.

Oh, yeah!! That's a great idea!

Can you add a a field for fly fishing vs. conventional?  No promises on this one, but I think it would be cool to see who gets the largest fly caught fish.  Thanks.

Oh, yeah!! That's a great idea!

I second that one!!

Z