If you only come here for reports, don't read this

[THeBLender]

As someone new to the sport (the BBQ was my 4th time ffing ever) I want to tie a couple of threads together.

I have seen several posts on the need for reports to give this forum a purpose. Several people have, in fact, blamed the new "reportless" format for a severe degradation in the quality of this site.

I have seen some discussions spiral downward into a war of personal insults and ugly stereotype because of perceived offenses.

That is sad. I had an absolutely fantastic day of fishing Saturday with bright and friendly people from this site that had nothing to do with reports (other than some misperception that the fishing was "HOT" - wherever that came from :)

As I was driving home, I felt a real need to express my appreciation to all of you that were there. I have had a fly rod and waders for over 5 years but never had the courage to "take the plunge" for fear of the elitism attached to fly fisher's reputation. The last thing I need is for some punk CEO to look down his nose at me and make me feel stoopid when I already feel stoopid enough as it is. Fortunately, none of you are "high society" :) Thanks to all those that were so talktoable (for lack of a better phrase) at the BBQ.

More specifically:
fanatic~ thanx for seeing to it that I had the right gear. I'm glad I caught more fish with your stuff than you did. <span class='thought.balloon'>OUCH! where did this ball bearing come from? This looks like something from a wrist rocket! OUCH!</span>

Doug and 8~ thanx for being so easy to talk to while I figured out how to use a float tube.

Greg~ Dude! You're killing me with those knee pads! :)

Walks~ My deep appreciation for the on water lesson. Your attitude made me feel like I belong.

Jason~ Thanx for adopting me halfway through the day and answering all my questions. My sincere thanx for your pointers and guidance.

I had a good time. I do believe I've been hooked on fly fishing. Thanx again.

[Greg M]

Blender,

I take offense at your comment about no one being of "high society"!

Don't you know that only the very elite in the fly fishing world understands the true nature of the knee pad and its place in fishing gear. I only suffer myself to fish with you lesser beings once in a while, but have no fear you to can reach the level of "high society" by purchasing your own pair of knee pads. (Personally I recommend the industrial strength knee pads worn by tile floor layers, the rubber padding on the pad allows you to stay on the rocks when kneeling.) LOL :)

[MOKE]

Someone else is extolling the virtues of the finest stream apparel since the beer hat!

MOKE

[Greg M]

Thanks for your guidance and training. I owe it all to you and the hours spent climbing around on "Home Creek"

[flyfshr8]

Finding flyfshr/flytyr homies is always cool. In all the time I've fished, I've been very solitary about it. I've had two regular guys I fished with over the last 10 years, only family before that. I got a kick out of watching TheBLender in action. Blessed be the administrators for that.

Now, anyone for a few bars of kum-baya? - LOL ;-)

[RAW]

Good memories. I remember singing Kum-baya as a Boy Scout. We usually sang it right after setting intentional forest fires! :)

[walksinwater]

BLender,

Of course you realize that one day you will have to give me some lessons on using a float craft. As I am innocent of even touching one of those contraptions.

Sitting in water, an interesting concept to ponder.....

It was my pleasure to meet you.

[Trout4x]

It doesn't matter what post I read from now on, someone will mention the NO CHEESE BBQ! I wish I could have made it! Next time I will bring the BURGER (LOL)


Cheese Ya later,

Trout4x

[Trout4x]

So I need to take it as well.


Cheese Ya later,

Trout4x

[Jason]

Blender, it was my pleasure. Like I said, you've got a lot to learn. Hopefully this web site will help you iron out some of those questions and help you become a better fly fisherman. Probably my favorite part of having this web site is having the ability to organize these types of get togethers. Fly fisherman are a strange bunch of people and they come from all walks of life, but one thing is for sure, we're all friends. Everytime I meet someone that fly fishes, I have something in common with them immediately and they become an instant friend. That's what this site is all about. There will be plenty of more opportunities to get together in the future.

I've got one comment on crowding and our get togethers. Some of you have mentioned that these types of get togethers cause over crowding and over advertise the places we go. I have to totally disagree. The places we've had our get togethers are not 'quiet places'. They're all locations that everyone is familiar with and that already receive a lot of pressure. We're in no way drawing anymore pressure to these waters than would already have.

[THeBLender]

First paragraph = totally the point. It is a shame that you guys were blamed for "degrading the site" by removing reports.

Second paragraph = I think it terribly important to note that there were several people that had come from or were going to other "quiet places" that anyone that didn't come to the BBQ never heard about. Again, totally the point.


My thanx again to you and Mike for making it all possible.