Albion Open 2015 Official tourney thread

I totally agree with Craig.  Let's get back to the Albion's prior to last year.  We should all be watchful of the potluck and "uninvite" those who choose not to bring food.  If you come empty handed, you eat somewhere else!  If you don't like the rules or the direction of the tournament, just remember:  Attendance is optional. 

"The potluck ( it wont be like last year, that is why there are no big dollar prizes for the tourney) Will be at 5 Pm on Saturday and the awards ceremony and raffle will be shortly there after."

Help me out here.  What does the potluck have to do with the BIG dollar prizes?

What I believe happened is this and its not two separate issues. It was well known that cash prizes were being given to the top 3. Soma. 1,000.00, 500.00 and 250.00. We had 40 sign up for registration on the day before the event. Mostly by people I had never seen before.  Mostly single guys looking for the cash. I saw people load up on food that brought nothing to the potluck. In fact the winner sat by my trailer drinking bottled beer and in the morning they had left a pile of beer bottles for ME to pick up. So I don't really give a crap if those kind of folks stay home. If you would like more than that send me a PM. Thanks Soma hope to see you there.

I ask a legitimate question and you counter with a PM accusing me of talking trash?  And you are not talking trash when you single out one individual who you accuse of leaving a pile of bottles that you HAD to pick up?

Before someone gets lynched, please keep in mind that some folks bring food that is handed out to others just before the potluck.

Good point.  No lynchings but a watchful eye might be helpful.  I sense that we all know who participates.

I totally love it!  Priorities are straight - More food and less prizes!     Everybody wins!  My son Jack keeps asking when we are going back to Albion and I told him soon.  He loved crabbing off the dock catching undersized crabs last year and this year I hope to get him out on the yak to catch some fish in the cove.  To me, that's what Albion is all about.

If you don't like the crowd at an "Open", change it to an invitational or a sponsorship like GS. 

Calling it an Open and offering $1,000 cash prize is going to have a predictable result.  Lowering the prize element or reverting to a raffle drawing should help.

The potluck thing is tough.  Having a quid pro quo raises a sticky legal problem, it is hard to police, and it invites confrontation.  Of course people who dont contribute something to the event and are there just to take take take are a drain on the experience.  People can and do contribute in a lot of different ways though.  Let conscience be their guide.

Either way, I missed it last year because I was on an airplane coming back from my hawaii trip.  I will be there this year and I'm looking forward to it.

If no one likes my title of the tourney or the way I put this together, please stay home.  I'm begging ya. You probably have better things to do. Thanks.   

If no one likes my title of the tourney or the way I put this together, please stay home.  I'm begging ya. You probably have better things to do. Thanks.   

You're the one that doesn't like what happened, not me.  If you don't want constructive feedback, fine, whatever.  Its a free country.  Good luck with your tournament.

 I must say last year at times had the vibe of a big BASS tournament with everyone focused on the prizes , that vibe is why I quit BASS tournament fishing.It was a sight seeing people salivating over the prize tent on the days before the start.

 For the most part I do not eat at potlucks , that being said I will say the line of people for the amount of food seemed WAY EFn crazy ,that is a uninvolved eyes  being honest .Crazy I am but I have a personal issue with waiting in a long line for food on a tray so I and the group I was with  just ate at our campsite then attended the drawings ,I had two loosing raffle tickets that did not qualify for a refund ......

Thanks for calming it down Craig now I am excited about it for 2015 and hoping I will be in attendance with my lovely better half this year.

Albion is my favorite event every year, family friendly, everyone together in one big happy campground!  Happy to be there this year and I'm most definitely not worried about any prizes.  However if we could find a way to convince KZ to make gaffs again 

I did not eat at the potluck last year. Ariel, G-Whiz, Yakhopper, ReelKnots, and Cabeza kept the food flowing at the campsite all weekend.

Which brings up the question: is G-Whiz going to stage another BBQ judging competition? Maybe another reason for a full stomach. 

I totally love it!  Priorities are straight - More food and less prizes!     Everybody wins!  My son Jack keeps asking when we are going back to Albion and I told him soon.  He loved crabbing off the dock catching undersized crabs last year and this year I hope to get him out on the yak to catch some fish in the cove.  To me, that's what Albion is all about.

True that Bret. Me and my son also had a good 'ol time as we caught crabs from the dock and watched them scurry back into the water. It was awesome to see the anticipation in his eyes as I bought up the large hunk of squid with crabs hanging on. We should get them together, he'll be 5 next month.

As for the potluck deal, in my opinion yea I think that everyone should contribute something. If you cant bring a dish well then help clean up, setup or whatever. There is always something to do, trust me! Last year I met some buzzard who told me about some free beer. I believe it was Don's keg which he crafted. I said, do you know who's beer that is? His reply was, well No, it's free man. Well, yes but... he really didn't like the rest of my "ethics" conversation and immediately left the area. Oh well, so I've got bad PR skills, but it bothered me a little that he didn't even take the time to find the owner of the keg and intro himself or just ask.

I love everything about these events... The family and friends, sense of community and sharing, memories made. But, I also like the competition, I really do, the chance to win $ or a prize, bragging rights, ect. I also love the bounty I bring home to feed my family, friends and neighbors.

Craig I think you've put together a tournament recipe that works well. Sure, you're going to get a few bad seeds and issues but those "buzzards" are easily recognized and the "family" will take care of it's own. Fagit-ah-bout-it.

Mike

PS - Designs going to be killer on those thick hoodies!

Looking forward to another great event
Loving the logo revival !!!. Any chance for an XS size for kids?

Whoa man, I had no idea that all happen last year, we didn't make it. Some people just suck! Wasn't planning on making it to Albion this year either Cause of Are ALASKA trip the following week. Albion is definitely one of my Favorite events and Craig and Linelle do such a kick ass job of making it such a Grand Time for everyone.  I could personally give a Rats about Prizes, but if this may be the Last Albion, I'm there! Although, some KZ GAFFS and Piscean Plaques would be Nice!

Thanks for putting this together ! Me and the girlfriend are looking forward to Albion again. Im happy with the changes and the way your putting this event on. See you homies there !

Will Jaime be bringing the horse?   

Not this time, Still trying to get him on a kayak