Compleat Thought » Denver

Compleat Thought & IFTD

kyleindenver — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:00:03 +0000

I’m happy to announce that Compleat Thought and the International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) are teaming to present the IFTD Social Media Lounge at this year’s show September 9th – 11th at the Denver Convention Center.

As I’ve been to the retailer shows in the past, this is the first time AFFTA has introduced a booth specific to those reaching out in the new media world of social outreach.

While I’m helping with both the IFTD Facebook and Twitter sites, I’ll also be manning the booth at the show where the industry can come learn about social media marketing, as well as industry experts who have already adopted social media as a part of their marketing plan.

The goal is to introduce fly-fishing industry leaders to this strategy, and also have a place for us that are already involved to meet and discuss.

Plans are being discussed about a possible time for panelists to answer question and discuss where they have found success, as well as share information with others on best practices and lessons learned. Additionally, we’re hoping to interview a few managers and post viral videos.

I’m really looking forward to this part of the show, and if we haven’t been introduced, please comment, send me an email, or just find me at the show.

Downtown Denver Mayfly

kyleindenver — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:36:09 +0000

Never know what you’ll find flying around downtown Denver.

Getting the Kids Involved

kyleindenver — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:26:10 +0000

This Wednesday I’ve been invited to go to a 3rd grade classroom here in Denver to do a quick presentation on fly-fishing for the kids. While my wife is a teacher at the school, her friend, a 3rd grade teacher recently had her kids read “River Dream” – a book I remember reading when I was young. Apparently the kids loved the book, and want to know more about the sport.

So, I’m getting geared up to show a quick video, share some bugs, rod and reel, and leave them with a coloring book. Honestly, I’m not sure of the attention span for this age group, but hopefully things will go smoothly and I’ll leave them wanting to really go out a fish.

I would like to personally thank Umpqua Feather Merchants for providing some flies, Fishy Kid for providing the coloring book, Nick Clement from Reel Escape Films, and Ross Reels for providing the awesome Vexsis reel.

If you have any other suggestion, don’t hesitate to comment. Thanks!

Fly Fishing Film Tour – Recap

kyleindenver — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:22:39 +0000

I must say, it was a good weekend. From hanging out with Klymit and Outside Media at the SIA show, to the Fly Fishing Film Tour with Thad and Rowdy, it was great to see those I haven’t seen in a while, and meeting more faces.

It started with messages from the OM girls that they were coming to Denver and had a pass for me at the snow show. I showed up Friday and had a great time mingling around to different booths. The SIA show was a retail show that I haven’t experienced before. Trust me, with DJs and Pam Anderson running around, it wasn’t for the faint of heart. And after the show was supposed to be over, the party started. Keg’s, even full bars were rumbling the convention center. I think I saw Fat Boy Slim!

The next day had more good times and kick-ass surprises. My buddy Tim, and soon to be fishing filmmaker, showed up early at Billy’s Inn and brought me a ‘Master Baiter’ shirt. I wore it proudly all night.

The Fly Fishing Film Tour was a great success – even selling out the 8pm show! I hung in there and watched the films during the first showing, but after that, the crowd piled in and things started getting crazy. I’m trading shots with Thad, Rowdy, among others – yumm, that whiskey hurts so good. To say the least, twas a good night.

Don’t forget to check the link above for the upcoming schedule for Film Tour – and if you make it to one, tell the guys ‘kyleindenver’ said hello.

Denver ISE & FFS Shows

kyleindenver — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:51:24 +0000

Now that the Denver International Sportsman Expo and Fly Fishing Shows have passed, it’s time to get started on the next round of events. But I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the weekend and what great support we received at the Sportsman Alliance for Alaska and Trout Unlimited booths, and especially our Red Gold showing held Friday night.

It was a pleasure working with two of the most knowledgeable people on the Bristol Bay “No Pebble Mine” cause, Shoren Brown and Mark Hieronymus, as well as all the other volunteers that took time out of their weekend to help. But the highlight of my weekend was meeting Kurt ‘Ole’ Olson and the entire Egdorf family(Dave, Kim, and Camille). Ole and the Egdorfs were stars in the documentary Red Gold, which was shown Friday night at Cervantes’. I can’t tell you how impressed I was actually spending time with these amazing folks. We had a great turnout and emotional speeches from several people that will be directly impacted by the proposed mine.

Other notables that stopped by the booths to show their support included Todd Helton, Brian O’keefe, Brian Kraft, John Gierach, Tom Sadler and Dave Whitlock.

Thanks to everyone who showed their support at the shows and film. We raised a considerable amount of money, and got nearly 1,000 postcards signed to send to politicians to let them know people are aware of, and against, the proposed pebble mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska.

This is something true and dear to my heart, so if anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’ll be happy to share what I can.

For more information on the cause, please visit Sportsman Alliance for Alaska and SaveBristolBay.org

Special thanks to Umpqua Feather Merchants for providing raffle items at the Red Gold showing.

I’ll have more pictures as I receive them.