FISH Products - an acknowledgement

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Ray Olson

Trad climber

Imperial Beach, California

Topic Author's Original Post - Nov 23, 2009 - 06:47am PT

His web site as real world info-base was/is ahead of its time.

His marketing is lo-gloss, emphasizing our great sport, not some
worn out paper-thin "image".

There is humor there, plenty - look around and see just how rare
that is in the (seemingly sterile) outdoor biz.

FISH products are made in USA.

FISH is authentic, no question there.

FISH is a unique thing in a world suffering from an
over-dose of sameness.

thanks Russ, for keeping it real...

the kid

Trad climber

fayetteville, wv

Nov 23, 2009 - 07:29am PT

i second this nomination!
not to mention he is a character that keeps us entertained.
kurt

Jaybro

Social climber

Wolf City, Wyoming

Nov 23, 2009 - 07:57am PT

a night at the compound will leave you with aching stomach muscles from laughing so hard.
And did I tell you about my new Atomsmasher™?

steelmnkey

climber

Vision man...ya gotta have vision...

Nov 23, 2009 - 08:28am PT

Did DR write about it?
"A Night at the Compound, A Day on the Ground?"

maldaly

Trad climber

Boulder, CO

Nov 23, 2009 - 08:58am PT

I'm jealous.

Conrad

climber

Nov 23, 2009 - 09:07am PT

My vote for taking a serious matter (wall climbing) and presenting it in tongue in cheek manner. Keeps the rest of the sterile industry real.
Buy Russ a beer.

Jaybro

Social climber

Wolf City, Wyoming

Nov 23, 2009 - 09:24am PT

Done, I'm going shopping today

Ray Olson

Trad climber

Imperial Beach, California

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 23, 2009 - 09:43am PT

And then there is Wide Fetish.

Brilliant.

Demonstrating a clear finger on the pulse of the
sport and traditional climbing values - showing an
interest not only in preserving them, but in adding
that key ingredient called fun.

Wide is difficult, hard to get into in the mental and
physical sense. Often hard to protect and no joke if
you blow it.

Wide is special in another way too - its kinda hard to
cheat.

So, here's to the Wide crew, oft persuing some of the
most powerful and commanding lines on a cliff!

Long may you stack, arm-bar, knee jam, heel-toe
and worm drive...

And remember - this is serious stuff - no fun allowed, dammit!

Prod

Trad climber

Dodge Sprinter Dreaming

Nov 23, 2009 - 09:55am PT

Yeah right, this is a guy I want to look up to.

Photo ripped from Shack who I think ripped it from Tar, who most likely either shot the photo or took a hard copy from Russ.

Prod.

Ray Olson

Trad climber

Imperial Beach, California

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 23, 2009 - 10:03am PT

As one who has been in the trenches of a similar
operation, I can assure you it is no small feat keeping
the flame alive for what, including incubation time,
something like 30 years.

Longer?

Does long term commitment count? I hope so.

The importance of FISH styling hallmarks are an easy
thing to understand. It says, be yourself, do your own
thing, and bail on that nonsense they push called "fashion".

An easy thing to appreciate in todays world of mass
conformity, I am sure you will agree.

No, not mainstream - that's the whole point.

Fuzzywuzzy

climber

suspendedhappynation

Nov 23, 2009 - 10:33am PT

Fish = inspirational.

Jingy

Social climber

Flatland, Ca

Nov 23, 2009 - 10:36am PT

Fish is such the inspiration...

In the face of all that is happening, Russ resists the urge to cut costs buy paying his workers less per hour, and cutting their medical benifits....

Is Russ's shop union yet?

BWAHAHAHA!!!

Cheers Russ!

For keepin' it real!

Studly

Trad climber

Nov 23, 2009 - 10:40am PT

I bought one of the above gym bags for my wife, only all in white with the jersey cow side panels. She can't stand it, said it smells like Fish and doesn't have a Nordstroms tag on it. So its mine now. I love it and gets all kinds of comments, most of which get me in fist fights. Thanks Russ!

Ray Olson

Trad climber

Imperial Beach, California

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 23, 2009 - 10:51am PT

The emphasis on hard core technical info on the FISH site,
its focus on substance, including the humorous and modest
first person accounts clearly underlining the seriousness of
the game, has been an inspiration to many - including me -
for a long time.

Seems maybe mainstream climbing companies might
possibly have benefitted from this for a while? It all fits
together. Part of the wonderful diversity of our sport.
Still, those walls are serious so remember, no beer or
(god forbid) real booze in the haul bags, no fun (of any
kind) at the bivi, ok? This is a game for the chosen few -
but suspect a few may chose to have some "fun" along
the way, and I sure hope you do...
(in any way you like) - if you can. :-)

J. Werlin

climber

Cedaredge

Nov 23, 2009 - 10:56am PT

Marmsuck?

North Waste?

Mountain Retardware?

Go Light?

Bump for the backbone of the American economy: small business'.

Ray Olson

Trad climber

Imperial Beach, California

Topic Author's Reply - Nov 23, 2009 - 11:05am PT

In any event, and regardless of anything else,
here's to someone who has stood up and continued
in the face of overwhelming odds - pretty amazing.

Hers's to Russ, FISH products
and Wide Fetish.

You are irreplaceable.

best always,
Ray

Gobee

Trad climber

Los Angeles

Nov 23, 2009 - 11:25am PT

How did FISH get that name?
Someone told me that the last time they saw a face like that, it had a hook in it?

The Wide Fetish is killer!
And so are his bags, etc.!

One time Eriksson and I saw Russ boldering this rad overhanging problem in the Valley and he came off and what he said was radder then the problem!

Cheers to FISH