Tis the Season: Remix

[Smthtnnr]

Oh come on now. You thought I would write a whole report about one measly month old yellow? As previously stated, I have been spending a ton of time in pursuit of another fish entirely. The ghost. After much research I've learned that this is the best time of year to target them as well. Like most of you, I'm pretty much addicted to this website and kayak fishing. I check it more times than I care to admit. Never more so than when it came to hunting White Sea Bass.

About a month and a half ago I was tipped off about their arrival (with a photo no less), from my favorite fishing guide. He put me on more Yellowtail than I knew what to do with the past year. Only after fishing the same places months on end prior without landing one myself. Not one! By now that's old news though. I learned a ton and have become quite confident when it comes to the tails. Anyway, after being tipped off I was excited to say the least. It had now become my mission to catch one! Day after day of trolling around the kelp edges and every where in between quickly followed.

I was giving it my all out there, desperately fishing my heart out at every opportunity I got. Then it came: Spring break. Seven days of no school, what's an addicted angler to do? Load up the kayak and Fish! So there I was as the days just seemed to fly by. I had already fished 5 ten hour sessions out of my 7 days. With only Calico Bass to show for it! My family was really starting to give me shit and I'm not going to lie, I was rapidly losing confidence. I'd felt this sinking feeling before. I practically wasted the entire last Summer season doing this same thing in search of Yellowtail. Only this time, I knew exactly what to do: swallow my pride and call The Darkhorse. Funny enough, he was the guy who suggested I fish my heart out for them on my own first. Being kind enough to let me know as soon as he started catching them. And gave me some tips to get me started including locations and such. It was only when I finally reached my breaking point, that I practically insisted we spend another day on the water. At this point I would have given my left leg!

So, crazy long story made short, last day of Spring Break we meet up. I'm still incredibly stressed/tired, and he's calm as a Cucumber per usual. Apparently eating White Sea Bass until you can't stand the taste anymore? Does that to a guy. Never have I been more excited, pissed off, exhausted, sad and happy at the same time. All about a fish. A stinking ginormous beautiful fish! So there you have it, the rest of the story. A hot off the press report. So fresh in fact, that I'm still eating the most delicious fish in the world as I type.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegallery/data/500/Photo_Jan_02_10_21_17_PM.jpg

I'm not going to lie, if it weren't for the glasses? You might see a tear in my eye :D I'm hoping to one day, if all goes according to plan, eventually no longer enjoy the taste either. Go get one!!!

[Mike scales]

VERY NICE:luxhello:

[dorado50]

No better feeling like the first time!.:p Congrats.......

[momo fish]

Way to go!! That's a true endorsement to Josh and more importantly your dedication to fishing.

[roadx]

nice! :cheers1:

[Sully1]

The hard work pays off! I'm loving that shot, a thousand pastels reflected on every scale, way to go! Hope to follow your lead soon.

[bosshoss]

Dang kids , just kiddin..... Really nice tail there...

[FISH11]

SUPER FINE FISH! YOU GOT REWARDED FOR PUTTING IN THE TIME.

[Cbad Mike]

Holy shit.... That thing is a beast. Congratulations! And nice job sharing the credit.
Thanks for taking the time to post your report although I kinda think you were chomping at the bit while waiting for the right time. Lol
:cheers1:

[makobob]

Congratulations, VERY impressive ghost.

[yakrider]

what a great story!
may it be the first of many!!!!
really stoked fro you!

[socal.beach.bum]

Great job kiddo, great story. I've yet to land my first ghost, but like you I am eager and know this season will be the season I get one.:wsb:

[Bert Vega]

Wow!! All I got to say is wow!!! What a monster :wsb:

[Dannowar]

That's real cool and all, but at what point are you gonna catch your own fish?



Not trying to be a dick but rubbing in everyone's face that you paid someone to basically attach a fish to your line and you just reeled it in just kicks dirt in the hundreds of times I've scoured la jolla for nothing.



Just sayin.

[octico]

I caught a lot of tail while on spring break .... god knows it looked (and smelled) better than.. if I could only do it again?

Congrats, all kidding aside that is awesome, thanks for the report.

[octico]

That's real cool and all, but at what point are you gonna catch your own fish?



Not trying to be a dick but rubbing in everyone's face that you paid someone to basically attach a fish to your line and you just reeled it in just kicks dirt in the hundreds of times I've scoured la jolla for nothing.



Just sayin.


Please expand, I know I am new to this forum. But, you cannot just make a statement like that on give more detail? If the kid caught the fish true and true why would you say something like that ? What is your point? I mean no offense by this statement.

[Dannowar]

...

[Dannowar]

I know the OP says he's very busy with school and has a hard time getting out regularly. Well, so does everyone else. I juggle a night job and two CRAZY kids and find time to get out every so often. I'm happy to be on the water catching no fish at all. But WHEN that monster shows it color, I'm satisfied with all the hard work I've put into it start to finish. All the prep. Wet launches. Intel. Rig tying.... It all pays off.


I apologize if I came across dickish at first, four posts about la jolla monsters, all written the same way with the same picture and same "I paid a guy to get me on fish" got me a little buggered. All these reports get my heart racing and motivated to get on the water not knowing if I'll skunk out or reel in glory. THATS the sport. There is no sport in taking the shortcut.

[Bert Vega]

:jig:I know the OP says he's very busy with school and has a hard time getting out regularly. Well, so does everyone else. I juggle a night job and two CRAZY kids and find time to get out every so often. I'm happy to be on the water catching no fish at all. But WHEN that monster shows it color, I'm satisfied with all the hard work I've put into it start to finish. All the prep. Wet launches. Intel. Rig tying.... It all pays off.


I apologize if I came across dickish at first, four posts about la jolla monsters, all written the same way with the same picture and same "I paid a guy to get me on fish" got me a little buggered. All these reports get my heart racing and motivated to get on the water not knowing if I'll skunk out or reel in glory. THATS the sport. There is no sport in taking the shortcut.

Just because you hire a guide does not guarantee a fish. To me it's like chartering a private boat. As opposed to going on a party boat. It seems to me that you just had a little to much hateraid last night. To step on anyone's post and down play them isn't cool. You are entitled to your opinion. But it's tacky to post it on a thread like this. Don't hate cause the kid has the means to speed up his learning curve.

Not trying to sound like a dick

Just sayin

[bolocop]

Ah, the 1% vs 99%.

One guy pays his way to the goal. The other wants to "earn" it.

[The pelican]

I personally enjoyed reading the post. Nice work and great picture!

[momo fish]

So guessing you never used a sports coach, teacher, hired anyone to help you get better at anything?

This sounds like it's coming more from frustration / jealously than anything. The guy posted a report and is not hiding the fact that he needed a guide to learn how to catch fish. There is nothing wrong with this and I appreciate reading his dedication and posting his success. Not trying to sound dickish either, oh heck

[momo fish]

Says the guy with most expensive kayak on the market, hobie PA. I would not knock someone for how they spend there money or assume they have it.

Ah, the 1% vs 99%.



One guy pays his way to the goal. The other wants to "earn" it.

[jorluivil]

That's real cool and all, but at what point are you gonna catch your own fish?



Not trying to be a dick but rubbing in everyone's face that you paid someone to basically attach a fish to your line and you just reeled it in just kicks dirt in the hundreds of times I've scoured la jolla for nothing.



Just sayin.


You're not trying to be a dick but because you said what you did you are a dick I'll have to admit that because I was thinking the same thing I'm a dick to :D

[ful-rac]

You're not trying to be a dick but because you said what you did you are a dick I'll have to admit that because I was thinking the same thing I'm a dick to :D

Don't worry Jorge your not a big dick just a small dick.

[William Novotny]

You're not trying to be a dick but because you said what you did you are a dick I'll have to admit that because I was thinking the same thing I'm a dick to :D

Well said? I think

[Fishin Phil]

Nice post and great photo.

[Silbaugh4liberty]

:jig:

Just because you hire a guide does not guarantee a fish. To me it's like chartering a private boat. As opposed to going on a party boat. It seems to me that you just had a little to much hateraid last night. To step on anyone's post and down play them isn't cool. You are entitled to your opinion. But it's tacky to post it on a thread like this. Don't hate cause the kid has the means to speed up his learning curve.

Not trying to sound like a dick

Just sayin

Agreed. It's like saying you rather work a labor job for twenty years to get up to a $60k year job rather than paying to go to school to get the education, and four years later stepping into a $60 k + a year job. Nothing wrong with paying for knowledge. It's not like the guy put the fish on his hook.

[alanw]

Finally a thread I can say dick in :luxhello: Nice fish btw, even if you you had it coached up. I pay for cattle boats all the time for them to put me on the fish. But I think what Danno is saying is to have patience, put in the time, and the rewards will be greater.

[Zfish03]

Nice Fish! Haters gonna hate, while you eat steak after steak of WSB ;)
Paying for a guide is like paying for a class...its not just about the fish you might catch with the guide but learning the techniques on how to improve your game and catch fish later on.
WTG kid.

[Iceman]

no fair! I wait for them to come out of the kelp:D Lil shit, Tanner! .......super jealous :luxhello:

[walrus]

Sounds like you paid you dues on being water, Congrats.

Inches or pounds that biscuit is a beast.

[blitzburgh]

WHAT A F'N PIG! :cheers1:

[Sully1]

Consider hiring a guide to be like getting a college education. The more education the greater one's enlightenment and furthering of your potential. It's a privilege to learn from someone that has done his research and has more experience than most ever will. Congratulations are in order for going the extra mile, and taking your game to the next level. Again way to go!

:you_rock:

[dorado50]

[QUOTE=Zfish03;192254]Nice Fish! Haters gonna hate, while you eat steak after steak of WSB ;)
Paying for a guide is like paying for a class...its not just about the fish you might catch with the guide but learning the techniques on how to improve your game and catch fish later on.
WTG kid.[/QUOTE

Hater? Really? The guy gives his opinion and you label him a hater! To me, that's being a dick:the_finger:.

The OP has always credited Josh. Straight up guy. He will and has gone on to catch fish on his own......dude show me some more catches!

[Dannowar]

he didnt credit Josh in his last post.....




it just seems to me like all these reports are a little forced



but here i am being a dick again


anyways. ill be fishing tomorrow, by my lonesome, miserable self

:Angel_anim:

[Dan]

he didnt credit Josh in his last post.....

it just seems to me like all these reports are a little forced


Agree.

The Josh report meme is due for a retool

[jorluivil]

he didnt credit Josh in his last post.....




it just seems to me like all these reports are a little forced



but here i am being a dick again


anyways. ill be fishing tomorrow, by my lonesome, miserable self

:Angel_anim:

You'll be fishing while we're working:mad:.................now you're really being a :D



Good luck out there!!!!

[William Novotny]

Agree.

The Josh report meme is due for a retool

Just lol'd

[GR6RR]

http://churchillmfg.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/that_was_quick.jpg

[Zfish03]

[QUOTE=Zfish03;192254]Nice Fish! Haters gonna hate, while you eat steak after steak of WSB ;)
Paying for a guide is like paying for a class...its not just about the fish you might catch with the guide but learning the techniques on how to improve your game and catch fish later on.
WTG kid.[/QUOTE

Hater? Really? The guy gives his opinion and you label him a hater! To me, that's being a dick:the_finger:.

The OP has always credited Josh. Straight up guy. He will and has gone on to catch fish on his own......dude show me some more catches!

Chill bro, I didn't give anyone specific a label. Take your middle fingers over to bloody decks. Or simply relax and fish ;)

[DanaPT]

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/overflowing-bag-popcorn-5829174.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=M3_iGijnmZdhFM&tbnid=mqgu9reDV11VgM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dreamstime.com%2Fstock-image-popcorn-classic-box-overflowing-freshly-popped-corn-against-blue-background-image33308291&ei=82FhU-CDDdGoyASY9YKwDw&bvm=bv.65636070,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNHkTZ5l9bw-7tVtkL6Oo0TeynE-hQ&ust=1398977274413757)

[GR6RR]

http://cdn.themetapicture.com/media/funny-fire-alarm-popcorn.jpg

[jorluivil]

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/overflowing-bag-popcorn-5829174.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&docid=M3_iGijnmZdhFM&tbnid=mqgu9reDV11VgM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dreamstime.com%2Fstock-image-popcorn-classic-box-overflowing-freshly-popped-corn-against-blue-background-image33308291&ei=82FhU-CDDdGoyASY9YKwDw&bvm=bv.65636070,d.aWw&psig=AFQjCNHkTZ5l9bw-7tVtkL6Oo0TeynE-hQ&ust=1398977274413757)


You totally stole my line :the_finger:

[DanaPT]

You totally stole my line :the_finger:


I said nothing. :D

[jsunmkly]

OMG this forum is full and overpopulated with dicks!
Literally speaking.
Where the gals at? oh right... make up tutorials on youtube :leaving:

[wiredantz]

:notworthy:OMG this forum is full and overpopulated with dicks!
Literally speaking.
Where the gals at? oh right... make up tutorials on youtube :leaving:

:notworthy: :notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notwo rthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy:: notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notwor thy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::n otworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notwort hy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::no tworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::notworth y:

[William Novotny]

We're all being a bunch of http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee392/williamnovotny/bird-graphics-cormorant-683056.png (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/williamnovotny/media/bird-graphics-cormorant-683056.png.html)

[kluts]

Ah, the 1% vs 99%.

One guy pays his way to the goal. The other wants to "earn" it.
Right on, well said,all yer gonna get with a guide is a photo on the wall, get out and live and learn with the ocean

[kayachapi]

So being a member of this site, trying to gain some knowledge on equipment, technique, and target species is cheating the true fishing experience of making hooks out of bones until you figure out that there is a better way on your own. I get very few opportunities to fish in the salt, which is all I can think of doing. I wouldn't hesitate, if time money and opportunity lined up, to hire a guide. I'm such a dick.

[Zfish03]

Can't we all just get along
http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m587/zacolsen2003/CU0SRBR_zps247ceb50.jpg (http://s1133.photobucket.com/user/zacolsen2003/media/CU0SRBR_zps247ceb50.jpg.html)

[chxh8me]

Maybe he's the victim here. Maybe DH is the one to blame. How DARE he lure these innocent victims into his evil clutches with the promise of local knowledge and a better shot at quality fish. Someone needs to report this internet predator for preying on these poor people who just want to catch fish.

Nice fish dude. Sometimes you do what you gotta do. Putting that much driving and time in on the water with no reward to show for it is frustrating. Enjoying a nice day (or many days) fishing on the water, in such a great surrounding such as LJ, is only gonna get you so far if you aren't catching.

[momo fish]

Really?? Way to knock a guys profession and downplay the effect of hiring a guide. Guess Darkhorse / Wade are are just photographers.

Your forgetting that the members are out fishing and trying to improve. Guess hiring a guide is bad but buying a high end kayak for 3500 and spending another 500 - 900 is totally fine. Just don't spend money to learn how to best use it.

Right on, well said,all yer gonna get with a guide is a photo on the wall, get out and live and learn with the ocean

[Lets_Fish]

All I can say is AWESOME catch. One day with or without the help of a guide I would love to say I hooked a beast like that and landed it!

Congrats on a nice :wsb:

[Dannowar]

Really?? Way to knock a guys profession and downplay the effect of hiring a guide. Guess Darkhorse / Wade are are just photographers.

Your forgetting that the members are out fishing and trying to improve. Guess hiring a guide is bad but buying a high end kayak for 3500 and spending another 500 - 900 is totally fine. Just don't spend money to learn how to best use it.



You cheated at video games as a kid and still told the others you "beat the game"

[salty pirate]

we all have one and should try not to shit on other peoples art/work.

I enjoyed the write up and am glad to see there are still fish in lj.

[dorado50]

When I enter a port where I have not fished before(and have little knowledge of the waters) the first thing I do the following day is find the most reputable fishing guide money can buy. Not only can you now navigate the waters safely but you can go out and catch fish using that particular areas most productive fishing rigs. I can now go out and catch fish safely without being stressed about navigation and wondering where the fish are. Money well spent in my opinion.

[alanw]

http://images.t-nation.com/forum_images/d/3/d30dd_ORIG-Popcorn_02_Stephen_Colbert.gif

[Dannowar]

When I enter a port where I have not fished before(and have little knowledge of the waters) the first thing I do the following day is find the most reputable fishing guide money can buy. Not only can you now navigate the waters safely but you can go out and catch fish using that particular areas most productive fishing rigs. I can now go out and catch fish safely without being stressed about navigation and wondering where the fish are. Money well spent in my opinion.

Which is perfectly fine. Until you post about it multiple times and try and tell the rest of us that "they're out there"


My point is not being decoded. I'm not insulting the guide service or anyone paying to be guided.

I'm not posting anymore. I'm going fishing :the_finger:

[makobob]

Which is perfectly fine. Until you post about it multiple times and try and tell the rest of us that "they're out there"


My point is not being decoded. I'm not insulting the guide service or anyone paying to be guided.

I'm not posting anymore. I'm going fishing :the_finger:

Hope to see you Saturday fishing for our HERO'S on the WATER.

[Dannowar]

Hope to see you Saturday fishing for our HERO'S on the WATER.

If my schedule permits I would love to Bob

[dorado50]

I do know where your coming!. Believe me I know exactly what's going on here! I would /could post about the same things you have said but.........

I think your opinion is valid;)

The OP is a newer guy and very stoked(nothing wrong with that at all) but perhaps "over coached".

[AirborneYak]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/01/6ymypezu.jpg

I think this belongs here.

[momo fish]

So going to LJ next weekend, want to show me around and share some tips as I'm new to that area?


Which is perfectly fine. Until you post about it multiple times and try and tell the rest of us that "they're out there"





My point is not being decoded. I'm not insulting the guide service or anyone paying to be guided.



I'm not posting anymore. I'm going fishing :the_finger:

[jorluivil]

Which is perfectly fine. Until you post about it multiple times and try and tell the rest of us that "they're out there"


My point is not being decoded. I'm not insulting the guide service or anyone paying to be guided.

I'm not posting anymore. I'm going fishing :the_finger:

So going to LJ next weekend, want to show me around and share some tips as I'm new to that area?

Newbie here:D
What's LJ stand for? Is that a secret fishing spot? Never been there before......can I join you guys next week

[momo fish]

Was the landing that hard? Lol


Newbie here:D
What's LJ stand for? Is that a secret fishing spot? Never been there before......can I join you guys next week

[kluts]

Obviously guides dont care when you post about the bite,why should they?it just makes them more money.If you`ve fished La Jolla 5 times and watched others catch fish,the answers are right there in front of you,isnt that how you got that yellow?no? a guided fish also? La Jolla is one place you wont need a guide,you wont get lost,stay with the herd, Me?I wont need a guide dog unless im blind.So unless your afraid your gonna get lost or are blind,leave the guide dog at home and keep your eyes and ears open and save your money

[GR6RR]

Let's put all this to rest and go.....

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/08/article-2599643-1CECD9AD00000578-785_634x740.jpg


I myself, am sorry for instigating the subject.

[jsunmkly]

that bear is a cheater!
he got claws and massive teeth!

[chxh8me]

that bear probably learned how to do that from its mother. no fair.

[SOUTHBAYFISHKILLA]

Can you pass on the info for the guide I would love to plan a trip soon

[dpasinli]

Big Dicks are a Swingin! classic. WTG Tanner great catch!

[William Novotny]

Let's put all this to rest and go.....

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/08/article-2599643-1CECD9AD00000578-785_634x740.jpg


I myself, am sorry for instigating the subject.

is that a fucking zombie salmon? Terrifying

[Sully1]

We're talking about different forms of learning, self-directed "do it yourself" and externally directed "classroom, seminar, lecture, professor, guide, or sensei". I am not sure that even a purist has only used one or the other. Neither form of learning is "bad" or better than the other, but finding that balance between the two, for oneself, is a personnel decision and even a life's quest, and hopefully leads you to fish and happiness. I find respecting other's decisions and approaches, whether or not I agree with them, promotes greater understanding of others and even self-affirmation. I think we would all agree that it would be nice to get a piece of the action the next time the fish are biting.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[makobob]

is that a fucking zombie salmon? Terrifying

NO, he is probabally all spawned out, see how good you look after you spawn!!!!! Will, when we going to get together to FISH BAJA. Your daughter is almost old enough to really enjoy it, maybe in the spring with another family?

[William Novotny]

NO, he is probabally all spawned out, see how good you look after you spawn!!!!! Will, when we going to get together to FISH BAJA. Your daughter is almost old enough to really enjoy it, maybe in the spring with another family?

Gawd I hope that's not howi look after i spawn. I'm shooting for August. I'm working on more reliable transportation at the moment. The Explorer gets me around Ok but I wouldn't trust getting a baja trip out of her.

[William Novotny]

We're talking about different forms of learning, self-directed "do it yourself" and externally directed "classroom, seminar, lecture, professor, guide, or sensei". I am not sure that even a purist has only used one or the other. Neither form of learning is "bad" or better than the other, but finding that balance between the two, for oneself, is a personnel decision and even a life's quest, and hopefully leads you to fish and happiness. I find respecting other's decisions and approaches, whether or not I agree with them, promotes greater understanding of others and even self-affirmation. I think we would all agree that it would be nice to get a piece of the action the next time the fish are biting.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

That was very eloquently put.

[chris138]

There are a couple of types of reports on this forum...

1. Reports of what people fished, where, what the conditions were like, lessons learned etc. These posts are helpful and interesting and allow people to figure things out on your own or with friends.

2. Advertisements for darkhorse, seasamurai, capt wade etc. You cannot reveal good intel in these posts for the sake of not hurting the aforementioned guide's business. That's fine, but the post is essentially just fish porn.

This report falls into the latter category. Reports generated by Josh and Wade themselves tend to fall into the former. I believe there is room for both types of post here, but just don't claim it so hard and ensure that credit is given where it is due.

OP said himself that Mr. Pruitt encouraged him to go find fish for himself... the idea being that maybe it would be more rewarding. I think that was the point Dannowar was trying to make. I've never had the pleasure of a trip with darkhorse, but i have lurked on him many times OTW! :D

That's a nice cbass and congratulations! Now go do it again and silence the naysayers! :cheers1:

[driftwood]

Which is perfectly fine. Until you post about it multiple times and try and tell the rest of us that "they're out there"


My point is not being decoded. I'm not insulting the guide service or anyone paying to be guided.

I'm not posting anymore. I'm going fishing :the_finger:

Guide or no guide I say bring it! No matter how you slice it, a picture of a big White Sea Bass sure does motivate us to go fishing.

Whether "they're out there" or not. I'm there tomorrow....Wind warning is gone. :luxhello:

[Aaron&Julie]

We can see both sides to this debate...Julie and I are so old-school we started out on the old Indian rafts used over a hundred years ago at the launch in La Jolla.
The new generation may look at our setups and get confused by it all.

Q: What's that white 5 gallon bucket used for?
A: To keep our bait alive all day.

Q: Where are your pedals and Mirage drive?
A: We use the backup system, aka paddles, which get us from here to there.

Q: Where's your fish finder located?
A: We enjoy the hunt without one, we hit the locations we recall over the last nearly 10 years, watch the birds, look for boils, baitballs, or even groups of fishermen that may be on a good bite. No fish caught once in awhile is alright by us, it makes the days you score much more rewarding.

To each their own. We're closer to the frame of mind of Dannowar, when you start doing this sport from the bottom up, there's a certain satisfaction that individuals who paid their way up to the top of the learning curve won't understand, trial-trial-trial and error-error-error. But, when you finally get the hang of it, through trials and tribulations there's that certain extra feeling of reward, that you did all on your own, and it goes deep into the mind and soul.

Now, don't get us wrong, in our roots we did receive emails and messages from a few guys that certainly helped. It's just we never became a barnacle to the more experienced and successful fishing 'yakers by following them everywhere they went to mooch off of their success. Now, of course if you spot a bendo, you'd be stupid not to circle that area hoping to score too, as long as you give the person with a fish plenty of room to land his prize. We've had barnacles over the years, and we've had idiots come within 15-20 feet of us, when we're clearly fighting the right kind.

But we do have much more respect for the person that's willing to rough it, so to speak, learning until they get it down, and put in the time necessary to get there, over those that want to score right away and learn all the tricks they can through their pocketbook. We don't blame them, it's just that sometimes while learning the speedy process, they might also miss out on the guides etiquette rules, focusing more on the "how to" and "where are they at" lessons.

[undrH2Ohntr]

We're talking about different forms of learning, self-directed "do it yourself" and externally directed "classroom, seminar, lecture, professor, guide, or sensei". I am not sure that even a purist has only used one or the other. Neither form of learning is "bad" or better than the other, but finding that balance between the two, for oneself, is a personnel decision and even a life's quest, and hopefully leads you to fish and happiness. I find respecting other's decisions and approaches, whether or not I agree with them, promotes greater understanding of others and even self-affirmation. I think we would all agree that it would be nice to get a piece of the action the next time the fish are biting.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Well said.

[William Novotny]

Katy Perry - Dark Horse (Official) ft. Juicy J: http://youtu.be/0KSOMA3QBU0