"To share, or not to share"

[John S Montgomery]

I was lurking through another fishing sights posts on the Fox river this morning and came across a post between two guys that obviously know each other through the sight. Not sure how long they have known each other and thats not even the point. One guy claimed that he had come across a good spot on the Fox on his friends boat and had posted a few smallie pics. Another guy answers back and said "good pics and good job, can you tell me where you put your boat in and what stretch of the Fox it was" ? The guys answer was " No I won't . Second guy said " I figured you would say that". " If you take me fishing in your boat maybe I'll show you" , was the last thing the secret fisher said. I just find it funny that with so much crap going on in the world that one angler can't help another find a damn stretch, not spot , but a streeeeetch!!! If I have a good day, which has not happened in a while, I would tell everybody who wanted to know where it was at. How will that hurt my fishing chances next time I go out? There is plenty of room on the river and a ton of fish. Also a good spot one week can be void the next. I've found that out a few times, fish do move. One thing about this sight is that all the members I've come across are fairly confident in their abilities or have no desire to start mud throwing matches on who has the best secret spot. You guys are down to earth. I still have a ton to learn on river fishing and my best ability right now is just getting to the water. One of my favorite parts of fishing is that initial breath you take stepping out of the door in the morning with that pumpkin size sun rising to the east behind a screen of haze and of course some coffee. If I can atleast get that out of a days fishing and never catch a fish , I'll never stop fishing.

[sparks63]

John,

You make an excellent observation. For those of us who mainly fish the rivers, there is really no point in not sharing information. So many variables to take into account...you have to have some skill to be a competent river fisherman.

The points that you make are the reason why a few of us begged Ken to keep the site going(Not just Read Only ).

I have not been out enough yet this spring due to work and family obligations to establish any type of pattern yet, but as soon as I have some success or lack thereof, you can bet that I will make as many detailed posts as possible.

I was lucky enough to attend an outing last fall with a few members from this site, and from a guy that has done 99% of my wading alone, it was really a pleasure to meet a group of like-minded fisherman and be able to trade ideas and experiences. I look forward to fishing with many of the posters here again!

One other thing...there is no internet drama here. I am thankful to Ken that he keeps this site going.

Have a great day and tight lines!

Scott

[Darth]

Wow! That sounds JUST like a site I used to frequent years and years ago...back when I was much more naive and disillusioned and thought "helping your fellow anglers" was what those sites were all about.

I've since learned better=)

Wonder if that place is still around.

Stick with the grown up sites...they are pretty easy to spot fairly quickly=)

[Ken G]

1. The points that you make are the reason why a few of us begged Ken to keep the site going(Not just Read Only ).
2. One other thing...there is no internet drama here.
3. I am thankful to Ken that he keeps this site going.

1. I stand admonished for my actions, not just by you Scott, but a bit of a list.
2. PMs from Ed, a half hour long conversation last night with Chauncey and a few emails with Dale today is teaching me a few things. I'm a slow, stubborn learner and will do my best to keep the drama at home.
3. On most days its a pleasure, on some I get red marks on my forehead from banging it on my monitor.

For those that have followed me around for 12 or more years you know how much I've given away. Guiding, fishing classes, outings and I still run into few if anyone in spots I have given to 100's.

Many years ago I showed a spot to someone for the first time. He kept throwing his lure saying they had to be there. I knew better and stood on shore telling him he was wasting his time. They weren't there. I could feel it.

The next day he went back to the same spot and caught 14 or more fish. All nice sized. That happens.

Dan Sims learned last year that I can follow an angler down a river and catch fish behind him. In his case, inches from his butt as I cast behind him. Doesn't matter who goes first. Matters who catches the fish.

As for getting out now to catch something, if it weren't for the rain and rising river I was going to spend a few hours at North Aurora over the weekend. Always a good spring spot. Check out the post I left on the Fox forum on fishing prospects.

Now, I don't know. Might be good weekend to do yard work.

We were all naive back then Darth. I actually thought that all anglers would want to do something to conserve and improve the rivers around here. Boy, was I wrong. None of the sites have gone away even though some of them should have.

[Special Ed]

The honesty and common sense in everything above this ^ is the reason why we like it here. Honestly Ken, I can't say that I've even used 10% of the knowledge you have handed to us here, but knowing it's there if I need it is comforting. Some really good people here too (except that p.i.t.a. Darth character).

Plus the site is well laid out.


Oh and fish porn is good too.

[Ken G]

Oh and fish porn is good too.

When I'm out on the creeks and I find a bass on it's bed, I'll get a good shot of it.

Then I'll photoshop a negligee onto it for you.

Ohhhh, baaabyyyyy.

[Special Ed]

If fish could only wear thigh-highs......

[Ken G]

Honestly Ken, I can't say that I've even used 10% of the knowledge you have handed to us here.

You wouldn't believe the amount of info I have that I have never put anywhere. What is up here is a very small fraction.

How about cowboy boots?

http://www.bestnetart.com/acatalog/Seto ... fish-2.jpg

[AndrewR]

Wow! That sounds JUST like a site I used to frequent years and years ago...back when I was much more naive and disillusioned and thought "helping your fellow anglers" was what those sites were all about.

Stick with the grown up sites...they are pretty easy to spot fairly quickly=)

You're also missing out by not BSing with the FHQ crew. Whatch'a waiting for?

[John S Montgomery]

Oh and fish porn is good too.

When I'm out on the creeks and I find a bass on it's bed, I'll get a good shot of it.

Then I'll photoshop a negligee onto it for you.

Ohhhh, baaabyyyyy.

Ken, that sounds great. Since we are giving requests to you on fish porn can you some how get a large mouth to dirty talk? Nothing against small mouths but ya know that whole large mouth thing is more appealing. If you can't work that out , I'm just gonna go to Freemans sports and buy two dozen leaches and put them down my pants and drive around with a smile on my face!!!