Fishing reports, take 2

[Rich Stern]

Most of you already know that we have a fishing reports feature on the web site. It's been my goal for quite some time to make "Version 2" of the fishing reports feature with three things in mind:



1. More closely integrate the maps into the reports so that you can actually show where you caught fish as part of your report.



2. Expand the reports to include more information, such as details about particular events at specific locations, and more information about water conditions.



3. Build it so that not only could it be used on this site, but on any fishing-related web site.



And so, Version 2 is now ready.



The members of this site have submitted over 300 reports since I originally built the feature. I really appreciate your submitting the reports! They are all available in the new version.



I'm going to offer use of this feature to any fishing-related web site that wants it. Bass clubs, boat sites, recreation sites, pretty much anyone who might have an interest in reading fishing reports. Every time an angler, no matter what site they found the fishing report database on, submits a fishing report, the amount of fishing knowledge available to everyone else increases.



I have a request for members of this site: If you know of a site that might benefit from this feature, please let them know it is available to them. They can contact me via email ([email protected] or [email protected]), and I will give them the necessary details about how they can add the fishing report database to their site.



Thanks for your help!



Below is a link to a sample report that will show you how the interactive map works.
http://www.fishingreportdatabase.com/fishingreportdatabase/fishingreport.asp?view=376

 

[Michael O]

Once again you have taken the best site and enhanced it. Thanks Rich, the world could use more people like you..

 

[Tom(fishfafun) Lutz]

Hey Rich,



Looks good! But (and don't take this the wrong way) I liked it better when I could search by name so that I could use last years info to help me get back to what I was doing. Is there any way to add this feature back on?



Anyway, just keep on giving us the good stuff!



Thanks,



Tom(fishfafun) and still the fishing reports champ ;-)

 

[Pierre Voisine]

Rich,



This is a really nice feature. I'm amazed at where this site has gone since it's inception. You are constantly increasing the "user friendlyness" of the site for the us the users, and I personally thank you. I come visit everyday and post when I can offer something, but i have to repeat the posts of many when I say that this site ROCK's!! Alot of it is because of the people that come here, but that is only a reflection of the hard work it takes to get them here.



BTW I flew over, and recognized Lanier last Sunday on my way home. It's such an easy lake to identify due to all it's bays and tributaries. I wish I could fish it some day.



thanks Rich...

Pierre

 

[Rich Stern]

Thanks for the positive comments, guys. Much appreciated!



Tom, in answer to your question about searching by name: I am anticipating that eventually, there will be hundreds of people, perhaps thousands if this goes well, who have submitted reports. It won't be practical to have a drop down list of names with that many folks. The fishing reports star next to your member name will be your easy key to looking at your reports. Just click on it. I forgot to change that over to the new system, but will do so tonight. I'll also add a way do a text search on name from the search screen. It just won't be that easy-to-use drop down list that exists in version 1.0.



Version 2.1 (only in my head at the moment) will include a diary function, to let you review all of your reports and print to paper filiing in a notebook and use away from the PC.



Pierre, next time, plan a layover in Atlanta, and we'll introduce you to Lanier. Water is coming up... highest it's been in two years. Looks like we are finally getting some drought relief.

 

[JEFF WHITE]

hope to get to use the report for the 1st brown trout trip this year this weekend,although my boat is done,well usable,taking the neighbors starcraft islander up.oh well,maybe see a few trackers on the lake,maybe??anyone going to be in fairhaven,ny. this weekend coming?

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Rich, Sweet update! Is there a way to go back into an old report and add some of this info. I can recall certain days and can pinpoint where I caught the bulk of the fish. May be helpful for folks for the rally. I will be putting more in before then anyhow. Also, can we enlarge the maps, Champlain for example to give a more accurate position? I don't want to give away too many good spots but can highlight some premium structure for everyone.

 

[Rich Stern]

Rob, I am working on an edit feature that I hope to have ready by next week.



As far as map enlargement goes...yes, within some limits. I have to generate the maps myself. I use Microsoft Mappoint as the source of the maps, and I make decisions about what area to focus on at the time of the generation. For sizing I have to strike a balance between download speed for the end-user and a reasonable display of the body of water. For lakes the size of Champlain, I could do a north and south version, for example. Would that help?

 

[Rob LaMoy]

Definately. For north you really only need from Cumberland bay north. And south, from Port Henry down, just like fishing hot spots does. The middle of the lake is very deep and featureless. That's where all the lakers are though. All the trolling trout guys go there. I may be wrong, but I think for the purpose of this board and bass as a primary target, the north and south would be fine, allowing you to really zoom in a little on the particular areas. Just a thought. For the fish caught or bite features, would it be possible to have some indication of multiples? For example, depending on the detail of the map, if I can only show bites in 1 part of a bay, I may have caught 15 bass in that particular area. I don't know if I'm making any sense.

BTW, did you manage to arrange it so you can attend the rally?