Signs of the Times

Okay ... I guess I will write about signs this time, for I AM a sign shop ! This time of year, fishing is on my brain a lot, too ! To get back to the topic of signs, what can I say ! The last 12 months has been real tough on all of us. Regardless of the continuing support and loyalty of my customers ... regardless to the high level of quality and service we put out ... it is still a struggle. Customers are happier than ever and we continue to grow and improve our products, but people are just not spending. The competitive business spirit is alive and well in these times, so you really need to place yourself ahead of the others to survive. One way to improve your image and promote your products is through signage. From POP displays to temporary sale banners. From vehicle lettering to the sign on your building. What does your sign say about you ? Many people do not realize the importance of first impressions, a place where customers can be won or lost. Or what if you don't have a sign at all ? Like they say in this industry ... a sign with no business is a sign of NO business. Bad signs insinuate a bad product coming from within. Even a nice sign that has been neglected and weathered can reflect negatively on a business if not attended to. In a climate where we are looking for all the business we can get ... why would you drive around all day, all around town wasting gas without advertising YOUR message ... YOUR company !? Typically, you pay for signs one time and get many years of loyal service, unlike your employees. Signs don't call in sick or take holidays and they work for you 24/7 - 365 days a year ! If you call us now as a new customer you can even receive additional discounts on your order ! We are happy to give you a cost free estimate and survey your site for suitability and make recommendations for your project. Why would you go to the place the "so called" world goes for signs, when you go to the place RICHMONDERS go for signs ... Richmond Sign & Design Services, Inc. .... The Best Little Sign Shop in Virginia !!! Give us a call ..... ask for Darian !

It's that time of year ... Crappie Fishing !!!

For the first time on this blog, this article is not about business ! It is about our third love and passion ... FISHING ! The fish called a "crappie" is a native favorite of mine and is spawning right now in your local lakes, ponds and rivers. When these fish spawn, they feed very aggressively. With a little knowledge, even the casual fisherman can have a blast catching fish and have just as good a time at the dinner table. Some people have issues with keeping spawning females, because of the eggs they are about to lay. I think it highly depends on the health of the fishery and the fishing pressure put on it. The limits the state puts up are regardless of time of year and have worked well on some publicly managed waters. If this gives you a personal issue, well ... don't keep em ! Or, just be selective and look for the darker colored males. Typically they have a much darker area just under their gills than the brighter females, and many times the females are engorged with eggs and you can tell by the bulge. Either way ... when larger than hand size, they are delectable when cooked in a variety of your favorite ways (i can give you recipes) .
I believe the best way to catch these tasty fish is the traditional minnow and bobber technique. This time of year, you can find them in anywhere from 2-5' of water, which is how you set your depth. Slip bobbers are best, and I will go into detail with the rig in a video soon. But crappie can also be caught plentifully on jigs, as well. From time to time, they actually prefer a jig. Roadrunners, crappie jigs with spinners and just plain old jig heads with a skirted tube all work well. As far as the minnow goes, small or medium work best and I usually hook them in the back, close to the tail for a lively swimming action. Some nose hook, I think when they are biting it doesn't matter ! Sometimes I "double" hook them when they are really biting to preserve minnows. I usually take 6-10 dozen with me and many times use them all ! I never want to run out of bait when they are really biting ! When you buy small minnow say at Green Top, they are only $1.19 per dozen, so not bad. An aerator is a must to keep them alive.
This kind of fishing is what can hook kids for life and I take kids every chance I get ... to see the smile on their faces and the joy and accomplishment is priceless ! Just the other day I watched a two year old precious little girl just beam with the excitement of reeling in a crappie ! It was great. I would love to help turn on as many as possible who have the desire.
Many times, fishing can be much more than just catching some fish. It many times puts you in a serene environment in nature, bearing witness to small marvels you would have never seen had you not gone. To me, fishing is like therapy. No matter what the stress of the day with work or whatever you may be going through ... when I am out on the water, most times it is just where am I going to cast next ? What fish will tug on my line next ? When the fish just aren't biting ... take advantage and just relax. But if you listen to some tips and ask some questions you may get like me ... and have no time to relax ! One way or another, I am going to figure out how to catch some fish ! I will be following soon with some more info on my fishing page on my website ...
so please feel free to follow along and throw questions on the comments below and I will do my best to answer them. I am well versed in most species of freshwater fish and know the james river very well. I have trophies of 6 different freshwater species and 23 in all. I tell you this not to gloat ... but for credential purposes ! And of course ... any of you fishermen/boaters out there need graphics or letters for your boat ... we can do that, too ! Thanks for stopping by !!!