Quote Originally Posted by Gut Shot View Post
My opinion for what it is worth: I am older now and I started fishing at around the age of 4 years old. I fish now because of many appelaing aspects of the sport but one aspect that has remained constant and is the primary reason that I contiue love fishing is because it is practically the only public activity remaining that is comprised of mainly friendly and respectful people who realize that the fellowship and friend making oppotunities on a lake are far more valuable than a few fish. I love being associated with these type of people. They generally understand that this is not some competetion and that if we were really in need of the meat that a fish provides, we could come out a lot better financially if we purchased fish at a fish market. In short, it is the experience that is the true joy of fishing....not the fish itself. That said, I have, nor will I ever withold information that could be of value to a friend or even a stranger who respectfully and politely asks for it and I take serious offence to anyone that tries to chastise me for doing so. What is the point in witholding it? So you can be less crowded and maybe catch a few more fish? Really??? The reason that I stay true to this message board is because it is full of well intended gentlemen who really "get it" and contribute whenever they can. Part of contributing is giving information to those in need of it. Think about that fellow who would like to take his Son or Daughter fishing but works so much that he can't fish often enough to stay on top of them. It is our responsibility to pass our knowledge on to the next generation of fisherman. It will truly be a sad day for me if I have to leave this message board and the many friends that I made because of it due to the lack of civility of newer members (or any members for that matter).


amen.