Thoughts And Comments On Forum Expansion

[Phil Lilley]

Wanted to throw this out...

I know this site is called OzarkAnglers (.com) but all the "waters" on the forum are not in the Ozarks. We've crossed the borders a bit to cover lakes and rivers of interest. We have also created "community forums" to share more ideas than just fishing.

All is good.

But with the following OA has and possibly that lack of coverage on other "waters of interest", I waned to explore the idea of expanding to other Midwest areas.

For example lakes in east and mid Oklahoma, east Kansas, mid Arkansas, north Missouri and west Illinois.

With this possible expansion, I may consolidate some of the forums we have on OA and eliminate some that aren't being used (not water related).

It's not a matter of the forum getting too big- I don't think that's possible. It might need alittle tweaking, that's all.

Spring is the time to jump on change. It's the time anglers are looking for good information on the lakes and rivers they want to fish.

All comments and thoughts are welcome!

Thanks-

Phil

[rps]

Phil

You and the other moderators should take as big a bite as you think you can swallow.

Having said that, remember that what makes this forum strong are the interested and knowledgeable forum administrators. If you expand, be sure you add solid administrators.

[Thom]

I would be interested in any reports or comments on Lake Caryle, Rend Lake both in Illinois. Also Mark Twain and the Missippi and Illinois rivers. Mark Twain has some sites that give fishing reports from guides but nieither Rend Lake or Carlye lake have much fishing report except through the bait shops.

There are someof forum subscribers from St louis and Illinois who might contribute at least as much as LOZ gets onthe forum.

[OzarkKid07]

I totally agree with Thom. Carlyle, Rend, the Mississippi, Coffeen, Newton... all great fisheries that I would love to see people report on, and could contribute to myself. My name is OzarkKid because I love the Ozarks, but I don't live there. Southwestern-Illinois-Kid doesn't have the same ring to it. Not to mention, we do catch some great bass, crappie, bluegill, carp (unfortunately), catfish, and other species. Thanks for your openness Phil!

[Buzz]

Wanted to throw this out...

I know this site is called OzarkAnglers (.com) but all the "waters" on the forum are not in the Ozarks. We've crossed the borders a bit to cover lakes and rivers of interest. We have also created "community forums" to share more ideas than just fishing.

All is good.

But with the following OA has and possibly that lack of coverage on other "waters of interest", I waned to explore the idea of expanding to other Midwest areas.

For example lakes in east and mid Oklahoma, east Kansas, mid Arkansas, north Missouri and west Illinois.

With this possible expansion, I may consolidate some of the forums we have on OA and eliminate some that aren't being used (not water related).

It's not a matter of the forum getting too big- I don't think that's possible. It might need alittle tweaking, that's all.

Spring is the time to jump on change. It's the time anglers are looking for good information on the lakes and rivers they want to fish.

All comments and thoughts are welcome!

Thanks-

Phil

I personally am OK with the fishing additions, especially the creeks and streams. I'm not sure I would visit these other places, but it is always good to compare tactics and presentations.

Also, as the big dog you could weed out the one's that don't get any posts or responses.

Buzz

[Dutch]

Personally, I think the forum covers way too many specific places. I tend to not read stuff on locations where I don't and don't plan to go. I'd rather have a lot fewer locations and see more topic posts.

[laker67]

Personally, I think the forum covers way too many specific places. I tend to not read stuff on locations where I don't and don't plan to go. I'd rather have a lot fewer locations and see more topic posts.

I have to agree with Dutch. I want to read about trout fishing and do not want to be bothered with the other stuff. Some way of going to posts that only pertain to one type of fishing so that you do not have to filter through the rest.

[Phil Lilley]

I have added waters as time as passed at the request of active members here on the forum. There are those who live in KC and St Louis that have interest in the areas I mentioned in the opening that are 1. not in the Ozarks and 2. not on the forum. I would not add them unless there is interest.

As for having too many, I understand that too but I also don't expect someone to be interested in everything on the site. I also don't expect to please everyone... that's impossible.

OA isn't a small site the way it is and I think expanding is healthy.

I am excited to see the trout park section take off. This is a strong segment of the angler community that promoted kid's fishing more than any other fishing activity, IMO. I hope those who fish the parks really talk OA up to those fishing around you.

I want this topic to run for at least a week before I decide what to do.

[Quillback]

Maybe you could have state forums, one for Arkansas, Oklahoma, etc. Then under Arkansas you could have sub forums for cold water fish (trout) and warm water fish. Or you could have rivers and lakes forums under the state headings. No matter how you break it up. I would like to see other AR lakes like Greeson, Ouchita, Dardenelle, just to name a few. Some of the Eastern OK lakes also. It would help if you got people that fish those lakes to post reports. I don't know what the best way to do that would be. Maybe go out on some of the other boards like Crappie.com and do some recruiting. Crappie.com has a states forum, you might want to take a look at if you haven't already.

[Quillback]

And have a Bella Vista Lakes forum also