Last year was certainly a biggy for us here at Fishotopia. After an incredible amount of hard work (all of it unpaid, I might add), Jo’s mission to turn the Women’s Recreational Fishing League (WRFL) into a respected national body for empowering female anglers really seems to be coming to fruition.
Watching from the outside, I’m constantly impressed by the personal journeys of growth made by so many of the League’s wonderful women. It’s clear that fishing is far more than a pastime or hobby for them. It’s actually a pathway to inner strength and wellbeing — a mechanism by which they can take control of their lives and their destinies, and feel good about themselves in the process. That might sound a bit over the top, but trust me, I’ve watched it happen again and again. It’s inspiring. (If there’s someone in your sphere who might benefit, get them onto it… Seriously.)
WRFL events like last year’s FlattyX help to empower women, and this is being increasingly recognised by the fishing and boating industry — check out their fully sponsored electric boat rig!
For me, as a full-time fishing communicator, 2024 was a year of further consolidating the inevitable shift from “old” to “new” media. Several more of the few remaining fishing magazines either went under or transitioned to being entirely on-line last year, reflecting the inexorable march of “progress” in this field.
Like it or not, print is on its last legs. Digital is the new reality. Rather than bemoaning this seismic change, I’m doing my best to embrace it through YouTube, social media and — most recently — building on-line courses (see an update on those further down). Despite the very real challenges involved in all of this (especially for a 66-year old!), I’m actually loving it.
Starlo wrote his first magazine article half a century ago this year, picking it out two-fingered on an old Olivetti portable typewriter.
Ever since I tapped out my first article for a fishing magazine on a little green Olivetti Lettera portable typewriter as a mad-keen 16-year old, I’ve been engrossed with the process of sharing information and experiences about the passionate pursuit we call recreational fishing… It’s all I’ve ever truly wanted to do.
Through my short stint as an outback high school teacher, and an even shorter one as the sub-editor of a TV gossip magazine (true story!), I maintained my sanity by going fishing and writing about it in my spare time. Spinning fishing yarns was the one thing that floated my boat. Ultimately, I built my entire life around it.
To be brutally honest, it has never paid well and it never will. I’d have had a far more comfortable life, financially, if I’d stuck with either teaching or editing, but I decided early on that it was more important to be happy than well off. I don’t regret that choice.
Sometimes you need to pick what you love over what will best pay the bills.
Interestingly, it has only become harder to survive in my line of work as the media world tilts further in the digital direction. I’d hate to be a young “influencer” trying to make a go of it these days. With so much free content out there, it seems no one is especially keen to pay for anything — even solid how-to info’ or valuable training.
There are also plenty of critics happy to have a shot at anyone (me included) who they see trying to earn a quid from being a fishing communicator, educator or entertainer. I’m not sure if it’s a uniquely Australian trait to begrudge others the right to make income doing something you do for enjoyment, but I don’t see it anywhere near as much in other countries.
Just recently someone criticised me as “selling out” for being paid (sometimes!) to do what I do. Funnily enough, I can’t imagine that same accusation being levelled at a landscape gardener or a cook, even though plenty of people also pursue those activities as hobbies. Ditto our top-grade cricketers, golfers or tennis players, many of whom make a handsome living these days playing games others enjoy as hobbies. It seems only fishing is singled out (by some) as a pursuit that no one should be paid to do, or to teach to others… Although, come to think of it, it’s not so long ago that Aussie rock bands were also commonly accused of “selling out” if they suddenly scored a hit single or album. It has always struck me as a very strange national trait to equate success with compromising one’s integrity or authenticity. But I digress…
In Starlo’s latest YouTube episode, he looks back over some of his favourite fishing tools and toys from 2024.
In keeping with the New Year retrospective theme, my latest YouTube episode (which dropped in the past day or two) features my pick of the 10 items of gear that had the biggest positive impact on my fishing (and my associated content creation) across the previous 12 months. With so much new gear around these days, it was hard to prune the list down to just 10 items, but I bit the bullet and did it, although I had to leave a few out in the process that I would’ve loved to have included.
Several of the bits of kit I’ve looked at in this YouTube episode are items I’ve been able to negotiate affiliate marketing deals on with the suppliers. If you’re unfamiliar with that concept, it means I’m able to score exclusive discounts on this gear for people who watch my content and use the link and code provided. If they do, I also get a small commission on each sale. I guess some will see that as me “selling out” again. To be honest, the older I get, the less I care about such critics. They’re entitled to their opinions, and I’m entitled to mine. Live and let live.
Tight Lines and Happy New Year.
Steve (Starlo) Starling is an Australian sports fishing writer and television personality who has appeared in many of Rex Hunt’s Fishing Adventure programs on the Seven Network.
He has published twenty books on the subject of angling, as well as thousands of magazine articles.
Starlo has scripted and presented many instructional videos and DVDs, and been a Researcher and on-screen presenter for a number of Australian angling and outdoor television programs.
Follow Starlo Gets Reel on Youtube for some of the best, educational and most entertaining fishing viewing on-line.
Click on the banner below for a direct link to the Channel.
