More nibbles......

This week I have succeeded in getting yet another sponsor. This time it's a company called Contek. I have no idea what they do. But, my mom's friend works there and she said they would sponsor, which would bring me to a total of $200 total not counting my shoo-in sponsors. Now it's a tournament!

Fisherman's Log

Yes, this is just another research paper blog, but it seems to be what everyone wants me to discuss. My paper is done, but its a page short, my sources aren't cited in the paper because I still have to make them MLA formatted. I do have my sources though.

Anyway, the actual project is going well, and Lake Craig has turned out to be a much better locale. In fact, there are equestrian and biking trails that circumvent most of the lake so fishermen without boats won't be hard pressed to find secluded fishing spots. At least from what I've heard, Oakbrook students in the outdoors club seem to very familiar with these trails, which for them would be a plus, should they decide to participate in my tournament.

Taking the bait.......

This week I have officially gotten my first $102 sponsor from Irwin Paint Contractors, my uncle's paint company. That'll cover my prize expenses, with a little left over. Hopefully, I can get a few more and sell some T-shirts. I know someone who will give me a deal on shirts, so I probably won't go with Spartan Custom, and they also might sponsor and give me an even bigger discount on the shirts. Would you like to sponsor? Any amount would be greatly, greatly, appreciated but you must donate at least $50 to be on the back of the shirt. As always, you can reach me at:

lanemiccio@gmail.com
(If you would like to talk with me over the phone just email me and I'll give a call or I can give you a presentation in person.)

New Fish Finder.....

This week has been all about research, research, and more research. I also did some research. I've gotten tons of useful articles and websites from our excursion to USC upstate, and I have also taken a trip to the public library and gotten a few useful books. Luckily, there were plenty of sources on evironmentalism and its negative effects on commercial fishermen and their employment. So that was the small victory of the week.

On the down side of this past week, I finished my 50 or so notecards last Thursday night but in my exhausted daze I left them on my laptop. So that was minus 10 points or so. But, you win some you lose some, I tallied my losses, moving on. As always, if you have any suggestions, questions, or comments:

lanemiccio@gmail.com

Eye of the wind.......

This has been a very exciting week and I have gotten lots of sources and notecards for my research project. So we have progress there. Also, and more excitingly, I have officially moved the tournament to Lake Craig in Croft State Park. If I ever find my camera to pc cord I'll give you more beautiful pictures. With every step closer to the tournament I get, the more I excited I get about it. What has been amazing is the enormous outpouring of support I have received and I would like to thank all of you on your continuing support. I will say though, that the actual schoolwork like endless abstracts, notecards, writing the research paper, and printing out blogs does get a bit distracting from the actual task at hand. I hope that somewhere inside of me I can find the strength and patience to put on a successful tournament and slog through the schoolwork. Well, thats enough for one week. Wish me luck and God speed.

Waiting on those little nibbles..........

This week has definitely been slow. With my immediate project worries mostly taken care of, I can focus on getting sponsors, but life has gotten in the way with college apps and changing jobs and such. This next week I will be making phone calls and beginning researching and writing that pesky research paper. This is probably not my most exciting blog, but on the other hand there'll be alot more.

Deeper Waters........

Over the past week I have been tapping more into my outdoorsy side. I've been doing some hiking, doing much of it in and around Croft State Park. I've walked a good amount around Lake Craig and I may decide to move the tournament there. I've also officially decided on a date which will be Satuday April 17, 2010. In addition, I have a checking account for the tournament funds set up, and I can now begin getting sponsors and raising money. Pictures of Lake Craig very, very, soon. As always, you can reach me at:

lanemiccio@gmail.com

Stronger Line.........

This week I have talked with Croft State Park office, and they said as long as I tell them the day I am welcome to have a tournament whenever. Also, I have spoken with the MAW foundation and they told me that I was welcome to donate the money from the tournament to them. I also might move the tournament to Lake Craig, simply because I've heard they have a healthier fish population. My next step now is getting a separate account for the tournament funds.

If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to email me at:

lanemiccio@gmail.com

New boat........

With the proposal behind me, and renewed confidence in my project, it seems that things are back on track. I have spoken with a few people with knowledge on the subject and everyone has told me that Lake Johnson allows events, I may not even have to ask permission from them to host an event at all. But I will ask anyway, and hear their opinion.

Hopefully all will go well, and even if the MAW foundation doesn't allow me to sponsor, I have a better idea. We raise the money, and if we meet the goal for the amount to sponsor a child, then we sponsor a child from the upstate. If not, then we just donate the lump sum raised to MAW foundation. All I have to do now is get the board onboard.

Tying Knots.......

Over the last week my focus has been on sponsors. Luckily, I've gotten two solid ones, along with some probably's and a lot of maybe's. The big problem though is that not all of my sponsors are local. In fact, half of the possible sponsors are companies based out of Florida or California.

Here's a short list of the more likely donors.

Happytrailers HD (www.happytrailershd.com)

Stephen Stinson Photography (stephenstinson.com)

Wachovia, a "Wells Fargo Company"

Quest Insurance

Giddyup Fishing Charters (captgiddyup.net)* Interesting one

Blackwood Entertainment Group (no website, but you can verify it is one by googling it)

A guy I know named Joel Schechter, a lawyer in Naples, Florida. (Can't remember his law firm name)

Hopefully, I can bag all of these.

Possibly

Tietex

Academy Sports

Dick's Sporting Goods

SCDNR

These all might not be the friendliest companies to convince, but you never know.

Hooked!

These past 2 weeks have been challenging for me, but very productive. I have my senior project proposal done, and a pretty definite location for the tournament, as well as a few sponsors in the works. The tournament will definitely be at beautiful little Lake Johnson. Lake Johnson features ample places on the bank to cast out, so you wouldn't need a boat to fish there. Also, it's the perfect size for a tournament because it is small enough to keep it organized. In addition, there is a boat ramp for those who did have a fishing boat to bring. I also have a few sponsors in the works, including Captian John "Giddyup" Bunch who I met a while ago in Florida who takes Armed Forces veterans on fishing charters.

The second cast...........

We have progress! I have scouted out some locations and asked around and finally have a few good prospects for a location. Edwin Johnson, Lake Blalock, Lake Bowen, Lake Zimmerman, and a sportsman bass lake I know of(this one's kind of out there in the middle of no-where) are all in the running. I have also decided to make it a largemouth bass fishing tournament because thats the real legend fish.  It's also the most fun and my personal favorite.  With this said, I still need a mentor.  Hopefully, I can find one who is knowledgeable in organizing events, and also loves to fish.  The clock is ticking. 

New worm

Although I've enjoyed catching very large bass over the last couple of weeks, my mission for now is trying to get a mentor and spread visibility and awareness throughout the community about who I am and what I want to do, hopefully I can pick up a few sponsors in the process.

Back to the tackle box.....

So here's basically what I will do over the next 7 or 8 months.....

1. Get mentor by september 20

2. Join Fishing Tournament by October 15

3. Obtain sponsors by November 30

4. Get make a wish child/children by first of the year

5. Get T-shirts/gear/prizes by February 25

6. Fishing tournament will be Sunday, April 11 or 18, 2010 

Here are some of the resources I will use......

1. www.dnr.sc.gov/

2. www.wish.org/

3. Fool's Paradise by John Gierach

Masses of Basses!

This is one of me and my dad's bass from my cousin's fishing lake.

I'll get some more pictures later..... This one's about a 6 or 7 pounder.  

Reeling back in......

 Over the last week, I've done alot of fishing of my own over the past week, but life has gotten in the way.  What I have done though is make a checklist of everything I need to do, and have gone about accomplishing those.  I'm scouting out locations, taking pictures, educating myself, and asking around about joining a fishing tournament.  I have also gone to the SC chapter website of the Make a Wish Foundation, and have gotten their contact information.  I read up on what is called the Adopt a wish program, which basically means the tournament would pay for an entire wish.  Or maybe even a few.  Or maybe 20, that's why everyone should come out.  So please, if you have any helpful ideas, I'm all ears. 

Also, if you're interested in possibly sponsoring you can Email me at lanemiccio@gmail.com, or you can call me at (864) 580-3461

The first cast......

My project is starting to take some very rudimentary shape.  I know of a few businesses from the upstate who might be interested in becoming sponsors of the event.  Also, I have a few people I can ask to be my mentor and have also received loads of tips from family, friends and friends of friends.  Even better, everyone I have discussed it with seems to be excited and on board.  With all of that said, I can't wait to get this show on the road.

Welcome!

This is my very first post for my blog.  For my Senior Project, I decided that since I am an avid fisherman, I would organize a fishing tournament to raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation, and call it Fishes for Wishes.  There will be sponsors, T-shirts, prizes, fun, and hopefully, some very large fish.  Also, any fish caught within DNR regulation size is yours to gut and eat, or hang on the wall as a trophy.   

I have fished in both salt and freshwater, deep sea, Lake Blalock, Kiowee, Bowen, Edwin Johnson, Jackson, Jocassee, Wateree, Saranac, Hartwell, Murray, also in Sullivan's Island, James Island, IOP, the everglades, and as far west as the Pacific Ocean.  Really anywhere where there's water and fish.

So please, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to comment.