Outdoors Shows Are Not Just About The Education And Tips
I want to share a touching conversation I had while working at the Grand Strand Boat and Sportsman Expo in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
I was approached by a gentleman who was extremely complimentary of my TV series “Reelin Up The Coast.” He said he enjoyed my sincere excitement on every show, whether it’s inshore or offshore fishing or hunting. He had moved to the Myrtle Beach area four years ago to enjoy retirement and our great weather and the great fishing we have to offer. I could tell he was having a little trouble talking and noticed that the left side of his body was a bit limp as he started telling me about his last couple years.
Shortly after moving, he experienced a massive stroke and then second and third strokes that created bumps along his long road to recovery. In the past year, he has started working on his ability to use his left hand, and cranking a reel has been his goal. While he is unable to get out on a boat, he spends many hours on a local pier giving himself therapy and struggling to do something many of us take for granted. He told me he has had little success catching fish, yet the use of his hand has gradually become better.
He also informed me that he was able to get out and hunt this year for the first time. After several scouting trips, he harvested a buck on his very first hunt. He said he refused to have his partner carry the deer out alone and insisted on having a hand in every part of the process. He also took it upon himself to skin and clean the deer, which was a long process given his condition. He finished it and enjoyed every second of it.
He then went on to tell me he has been a loyal viewer and that when he was unable to get outdoors, he lived through me in every episode he watched. He also asked when my new episodes were coming on because he was ready. I thanked him for making my day and assured him that next Sunday will start a new run of great episodes, ranging from offshore bottom fishing with Crazy Sister Marina to kayak fishing with my good friends from Black River Outfitters and duck hunting with my partners at River Oaks Waterfowl and much more. After he walked off, I could not help but think that over the last five years I spent more time concentrating on educating viewers and assuming that all my audience was active outdoor people. I’ve neglected the fact that I may be the only experience some get outdoors.
2014 was an incredible year for Capt. E. I’ve gained recognition as a successful and recognized name in outdoors media from the new Southern Anglers Radio Show to my work with Fox Sports Outdoors South to my article “Speakin’ Englis” in Coastal Angler Magazine. But I want to let all of my loyal viewers and “Reelin Up The Coast” family know that this show is and will always be my priority.
It means everything to me, and while it has finally become a business and not a hobby, promoting my brand is only to build my strength in the outdoors television world so that we can continue to promote our wonderful partners and grow our show into new markets. If you are currently in a market that is not able to enjoy the show, please message me and let me know where you are. Thank you for your loyalty, and I hope you enjoy 2015. We look forward to hearing your feedback as always! If you see us out in the new Key West Boats 230 Bay, please come over and say hello.
By Capt. Englis Glover
Tight Lines, Capt E