NAUGHTY PINES???

[MNStarfish]

Does anyone know any thing about this resort on the English River system? I seem to have won a discounted trip from a sports show drawing. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[TBO/MN]

This is an advertising ploy, nobody won, they just use that to get an advertising list and then send out their SPAM>>>>>>>>>

It's a shift way to play you for your address, I wouldn't trust these guys, or spend any of my money there. IMHO

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[JJ]

Yup! One big "rip-off"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Westy]

I won last year. So did my father in law, and so did my best friend. We received a notice for one free trip per person. I didn't follow up on it.

[Beach]

I had a friend that won a free trip and 5 of us went with him. Had a great time and the fishing was super. Had to spend some time finding spots but after we did, watch out. Steve and his crew really take care of their guest. This would be worth while to check into. Let me know how you did. :7

[Duck Hunter]

To go on this fantistic trip you have to take one paying person along with your free trip . I have been up there three times and it is an absoulte great trip . In 2000 when we were there, their was days of 75+ walleyes about 1 to 1 1/2 lbs each with a few going up to 7 lbs . There is places that are cheaper but when you take off the free trip it figures out to be about the same price . Oh buy the way I will be going back . Just waiting for the daughter to get a little older and to be a little bit more of a die hard fisher person(ha ha) :)

[SD Fisher]

A few years ago, my son also won a free trip to N. Pines and I was immediately skeptical. Shortly after, while discussing fishing with a client and telling her of the free trip, she said that her in-laws have gone there for the last several years and have enjoyed great fishing and great hospitality. I seriously reconsidered the free trip but never got around to it.

[BD]

There was a lot of disscussion on these "free" trips from N.Pines last year. The hook is that you have to pay for one full price trip to get the "free" one. The trouble is you pay more for the full price trip than you should for the services etc. that are provided, that is, in the opinion of many of those who responded to a similar post last year. IMHO if a lodge has to give away free trips to get business, there is something very wrong with that lodge. There are several other excellent lodges / cabins / campgrounds on the river system. Search the general discussion and Canada archives for the "rate the resort" or "favorite resort" type threads for some ideas.

[Daatguy]

I won Naughty Pines free trip, two years in a row. Did some research ended up fishing Seperation Lake which is also on English River. Cabins were full so we camped. I'll be back to Seperation.

[MuskieKid]

I also won a trip at a sports show. Yep, I think everyone wins. You really do get a free trip or lodging out of it. However, it is a way to get you involved with a salesman selling you a time share. My trip was to Williamsburg, Virginia. It starts out as very low key with one of the "beautiful people. When you refuse to purchase the timeshare, they bring in the closer (veteran who won't take no for an answer). The closer is very forceful and will try to switch you to basically the same deal for half the money. Unfortunately, you don't get your free trip voucher (you turn it in at the motel for credit)until after they finish their pitch. Since I wouldn't buy, it took about three hours instead of the 1 1/2 hours they tell you upfront. The salesmeeting is usually the second day (in the middle of your three days). After your refusal, you return to the salesoffice. Then they will try to sell you a weeks vacation at their resort for about $250. They claim no sales pitch is involved with it or the free trip you get to Florida you also have won. When you figure you have a late check in time the first day of your "free trip", the second day is screwed up (by the salesmeeting) and you have to check out the third day, you really don't have three days to do what you want. The salescompany has a deal with the motel. It costs them about $70.00. It costs you nothing if you don't buy anything. I tried it once and didn't buy anything. Believe me, they can be very convincing (and possibly have you and your spouse at each others throuts) and can sell you something you don't really need. It sounds really good at the time. If your looking for a 2-3 trip, take regular vacations already (and can afford them)why not pay for them? The hassle is not worth it. Now if you really want a timeshare (costs thousands of dollars) - go for it. They will tell you that if you already spend money on a vacation each year, why not invest it it a timeshare? Not a good investment (they even tell you that), but it does guarantee a vacation each year at a certain time, whether you want it or not.