Happy Holidays!

I hope that this issue of the newsletter finds you reflecting on another good year and looking forward to celebrations with friends and family. To lighten your mood even further click here to see that not only can old guides dance they look pretty good in a green elf suit. We are at the winter solstice, where you live that fact may not impact your day very much but here in mid coast Maine the daylight hours are just over six and a half hours shorter than the longest day in June, a noticeable difference. We have over a foot of snow on the ground and the nights are cold (temperatures in the single numbers) with daytime temperatures in the 20's.  It is truly a winter wonderland!!
 
 
Last Minute Gift Idea
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I received an e-mail last week from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation that contained a great last minute gift idea at no cost. By following this link and signing up you can send electronically or print out and give a certificate that promises someone that you will take them fishing in the next year. If you know someone who has asked about going fishing or that you think you would like to spend more time with in the coming year. This is a great way to make it happen. 
 
Maine Outdoors Client Survey
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Each year I survey my clients and this year I used an online survey.  The survey is always an interesting thing to do and invariably I learn something.  The response is amazing  half of the people that I invited to take part in the survey did so.  Almost three quarters of them in the first day.
 
Here are the results 60% of these clients had been striper fishing, 15% freshwater fishing and 8% had been on a canoe trip last summer.  The remainder attended a guide seminar, purchased something online from the store, or bird hunted with me at Libby camps. 20% of these clients found Maine Outdoors online, 20% were referred from the place they were staying and an amazing 30% were referred by a friend.  Most of the remaining group were repeat clients.  96% were highly satisfied with their experience.  Maine outdoors was rated well above average in the customer service experience; being on time; professionalism and quality of service.  I received a nearly perfect score for understanding customers' needs.
 
56% rated Maine Outdoors much higher when compared to similar services.  75% are very likely to go on another trip with Maine Outdoors and over half of these people have recommended Maine outdoors to someone else at least one time. Respondents were more likely to be male than female by a ratio of just under 2 to 1. The age range is fairly evenly distributed between 25 and 65 or older with the highest number being between 45 and 54 years old.  There were also a number of very nice comments some of which I've already added to the webpage.
 
Thank you to everyone that took part it was a pleasure spending time with you in 2007 and I look forward to seeing you your family and friends in 2008.
 
Consider Gift Certificates for Maine Outdoors Trips Next Year
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Give someone a morning of striper fishing or an afternoon of bass fishing. Maybe they would like to learn to fly fish or give the whole family an afternoon of fishing. These are just some of the possible trips that can be arranged using these gift certificates! Know someone planning a vacation in Maine? Make their trip complete with a little time in the Maine Outdoors! Certificates are available through the online store or by contacting me directly.