This was posted on PPF today and will be the last post on that site.


Dear PPF Readers,

Today I come to you with mixed emotions.

I am saddened because this will be my last official post on Payne's Paddle Fish. The last two years has been a wonderful time of growth, friendships, business relationships, expanding horizons and frankly a huge lesson in humility. (Nothing quite humbles you and/or angers you like internet trolls.)

I have been blessed in my time to work on my craft, make a plethora of new friends and help others learn from my mistakes. That's all this little blog was ever really about. Many of you have been with me for most of the journey. I am thankful for you. You kept me motivated when a block would set in. You kept me motivated when discouraged. You reminded me it's just fishing.

Through the hard work, the stubbornness, the refusal to bend the truth for sales numbers or freebies I developed a bit of a reputation. A truth teller. I will always call a spade a spade. I firmly believe there is no perfect product, no perfect tournament and no perfect angler. We all have our flaws. Some of us (I'm looking in the mirror) have more than others. It is important to be tactful in recommending improvements. It is also important to avoid heaping praises upon something to remain objective.

To that end, I am ending this blog to better myself. Not having anyone editing your work can cause you to become lazy, comfortable and benign. I don't want that. I want to continue to progress in my communication. I want to talk about issues as a mediator in the industry. I want to introduce you to products I have previously not had access to. I want to take it to the next level.

That next level is what I am excited about. The little engine that could is getting an upgrade. I will continue my weekly column "On the Line" over at YakAngler and as of next week will be a weekly contributor at Kayak Fish Magazine. In order to do both, and do them well, I need to be able to dedicate time for writing, editor revisions, covering events and the like. This is time that PPF would not allow me.

Along with the transition is a new branding that I will be using on all of my items produced as I continue to grow in the outdoor writing world. This is all very new and in its infancy as of yet but combines all of the many things I do in the outdoor media fields under one header, a roof if you will.

Moving forward, rather than my branding being PPF it will be Chris Payne Outdoor Media. This encompasses writing, product testing, videos, photography, workshops, design, consulting and public speaking. Previously all of these were done from various names, groups and scattered branding.

Hopefully you will see this mark more throughout the next few years.



I am grateful to all of you who have been reading over the years, to my business partnerships and affiliation for their tireless support and for my friends who keep me balanced, humble and strving to be better.

Thank you for everything,



Chris

One door closes, and another opens....

Keep up the good work, Chris. I look forward to what comes next!

Thanks Art! It's been a crazy wild ride. Looking forward to the next phase.

Congrats! It's good to see a person progress in the things they love. Keep up the good work and I can't wait to read your new articles.

I have really enjoyed reading your work and wish you great luck going forward. Well done!

WTG Chris have enjoyed your articles all the best in your new venture I'm sure you will do great

Best of luck on your future endeavours Chris, I'm sure you'll do well.

Congratulations Chris

Chris Payne outdoors media...it has a nice ring to it. Congrats on the start of your new adventure.

Congratulations!!!! I personally want to thank you. The funny thing about writing is that you rarely know who you touch or how you touch people with your words. Yeah, like you've said you know when you've touched a nerve, the detractors are quick to point that out, but it's not that often when the ones that appreciate you give you thanks or even let you know when you've said/wrote something that really made an impact, I for one have been guilty of that.

You were the first person to welcome me to this forum, and you have been always been both truthful and positive when you were responding to not only my questions but to all of the other comments that I've noticed that you responded to. For that you have proven yourself to be an ambassador of both the sport and for this forum and for that you are owed a hearty thank you.

I have also found your blogs to be well written, informative and more importantly entertaining. While some of then have had me scratching my head thinking that that you are completely crazy, others have given me the nudge to go out and fish waters that I had not known about or had even contemplated fishing and again for that I thank you.

Good luck, and thank again.

I'm very impressed with your dedication to your blog and all the effort you've put into it. Wish you the best in your next project!!

Congratulations Chris, it has been a pleasure to read your articles. I will be looking forward to your future reads in YakAngler.

Youre the gateway drug that got me here. Congrats on this move forward boss, may it bring you the success, happiness, and recognition you deserve!

Hard work and dedication will take you far... passion for what you do will take you further.. there is another cast yet to make so fish on brother fish on...

Congrats, Chris! Looking forward to following in your new forums as well!

- Steve R.