This is why we are here!

I have been a member of the crappie forum for several years now. I live in Kentucky and principally fish on Reelfoot. As such, I post on the Tennessee forum more than Kentucky. I was reading a post today and it so impressed me that I felt that I should bring attention to it.

"Hi J.T.,

Yea, I need to and plan on being on here more often. I use to run the forums on Kentuckylake.com and then they had issues. They have been down for months. I really hate it because we use to have good discussions on there. But I don't run the site and have no control over it. I do keep an eye out on explorekentuckylake.com. Shawn who runs that site is a great guy. I believe activity there is building but for crappie this is the place.

I like helping first timers coming to the lake. I had a guy call me Friday that simply wanted advise. We were on the phone for almost an hour. Now he is probably going to hire me. And truthfully, if he doesn't thats fine too. I hate it when people come to the lake for the first time and have a lousy time. Then they tell everyone how terrible Kentucky lake is which is furtherst from the truth. But we have all been first-timers to lakes and had lousy times. Then we develop the idea the lake is simply no good. While fishing the tournament trail my partner always compared the lakes we fished to Kentucky Lake and he then didn't like most lakes we fished. I told him time and again that knowing where and when to fish on the other lakes makes the difference. Locals swear by those lakes because they know those lakes, just like we know Kentucky Lake.

So I do my best to see peopke don't come down blind. I can't make them bite and I can't assure the people always fish at the right depth or speed but I can at least get them started off on the right foot. Are you staying at the Moors again? I will likely be on the water alot during the time prior to your trip. I don't know if I will be up around the Moors much but feel free to call me and I will update you on my success. Some of my biggest fish came from Bear last year so I may fish it more this spring.

I look forward to talking to you on here this spring!

Old Guide (Lyndon)"

I don't know Old Guide, we've never met, but I sure would like to meet him. In my opinion this is exactly how we should use this forum. This is what I love about this extended family. People sincerely want to help others, not ridicule them. People truly appreciate the honest help. I get calls and emails constantly from people coming who just want a little help getting started. He is right, I also have been able to pick up some guiding just from trying to be kind to people. I use a couple of other forums during hunting season as a way to manage some hunting leases and I can tell you that other forums are not nearly as kind to newcomers.

Old Guide, hat's off to you. This spirit is exactly how Jesus called us to live our lives.

May the Lord Bless your life this year and protect you and your family.

rushcreekoutdoor
Rick Major

Rick,

I don't know what to say except thank you. That was a very kind post. I was actually a little choked up at the end. I also believe that is how Jesus would want us to live as well. I have heard so many horror stories from cleints and other forum members about how they were treated that I try and do just the opposite.

If people want a guide but I am busy and no one else is available I try and do all I can do to help them. The lakes have more than enough fish to go around. To have someone take away a bad experience from the lakes doesn't do anyone any good. I wouldn't want to treated that way and I won't treat anyone else that way either.

Again thanks so much and maybe we can get together this spring. I have fished Reelfoot but most of my catch has been smaller fish. Maybe you could give me some pointers on Reelfoot.

Thanks brother!

Lyndon

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rushcreekoutdoor

I have been a member of the crappie forum for several years now. I live in Kentucky and principally fish on Reelfoot. As such, I post on the Tennessee forum more than Kentucky. I was reading a post today and it so impressed me that I felt that I should bring attention to it.

"Hi J.T.,

Yea, I need to and plan on being on here more often. I use to run the forums on Kentuckylake.com and then they had issues. They have been down for months. I really hate it because we use to have good discussions on there. But I don't run the site and have no control over it. I do keep an eye out on explorekentuckylake.com. Shawn who runs that site is a great guy. I believe activity there is building but for crappie this is the place.

I like helping first timers coming to the lake. I had a guy call me Friday that simply wanted advise. We were on the phone for almost an hour. Now he is probably going to hire me. And truthfully, if he doesn't thats fine too. I hate it when people come to the lake for the first time and have a lousy time. Then they tell everyone how terrible Kentucky lake is which is furtherst from the truth. But we have all been first-timers to lakes and had lousy times. Then we develop the idea the lake is simply no good. While fishing the tournament trail my partner always compared the lakes we fished to Kentucky Lake and he then didn't like most lakes we fished. I told him time and again that knowing where and when to fish on the other lakes makes the difference. Locals swear by those lakes because they know those lakes, just like we know Kentucky Lake.

So I do my best to see peopke don't come down blind. I can't make them bite and I can't assure the people always fish at the right depth or speed but I can at least get them started off on the right foot. Are you staying at the Moors again? I will likely be on the water alot during the time prior to your trip. I don't know if I will be up around the Moors much but feel free to call me and I will update you on my success. Some of my biggest fish came from Bear last year so I may fish it more this spring.

I look forward to talking to you on here this spring!

Old Guide (Lyndon)"

I don't know Old Guide, we've never met, but I sure would like to meet him. In my opinion this is exactly how we should use this forum. This is what I love about this extended family. People sincerely want to help others, not ridicule them. People truly appreciate the honest help. I get calls and emails constantly from people coming who just want a little help getting started. He is right, I also have been able to pick up some guiding just from trying to be kind to people. I use a couple of other forums during hunting season as a way to manage some hunting leases and I can tell you that other forums are not nearly as kind to newcomers.

Old Guide, hat's off to you. This spirit is exactly how Jesus called us to live our lives.

May the Lord Bless your life this year and protect you and your family.

rushcreekoutdoor
Rick Major

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Could not have put it better. I love to see everyone helping each other. That is what has attracted me to this site too.
Thanks for he uplifting post.
dkb

I used to crappie fish years ago with my granddaddy. After he died I kinda lost interest for a few year. Gradually I got back into it but the lake had change & I was having trouble finding & catching fish. I started studying, reading books, articles, watching TV shows, etc... I eventually turned to the Internet & that's where I stumbled across the Forum on kentuckylake.com and Crappie.com. One of the first guys I came to know on kentuckylake.com was Old Guide. He was alway willing to share information and tips. I got on there all the time & read his posts and asked questions. My trips started becoming more and more productive. He helped me out alot! I've never met him but consider him a friend. Thanks for all the help buddy!

I also ran into another guy at the lake 1 day that turned me on to spider rig'n. He gets on here some but I can't remember his handle. Heck of a nice guy! Man that guy cost me about $30,000. :D I went out and bought boats, rods, rod holders, reels, jig, depth finders. You name it I got it. I hope when I die my wife don't sell my stuff for what I told her I gave for it! :D

I have also met some great fishermen while out fishing. Many of them have become good friends that share info too.

I try to learn something from everyone I talk to.

I also believe in helping out others but sometimes I spread myself too thin. Folks come to the lake and for 1 reason or another I can't hook up with them like I planed or the fish don't cooperate. Makes me feel like I've let them down. :(

This is a great site with great folks. Glad I stumbled across it.

There's zero doubt that this is probably the nicest group of outdoors lovers on the net. I have made several friends from my time here, have learned lots of new tactics and hope they have learned some little bit from what I might have been trying top get across. I also find that I tend to converse with those close to home more than those off from here. Much of that conversation takes place on PM.

A huge part of my yearly income is from guiding waterfowlers, mostly snow goose hunters. I'll play devil's advocate now and say I have become very tight-lipped when it comes to giving out info on how many birds we have, where they are concentrated in general or specific areas, etc. The net has been a source some have chosen to use to lessen the amount of work they have to do to drive hundreds of miles, trespass, and run all over those of us who have worked hard to find spots and develop relationships with landowners. Having been burned several times from info that I, and mostly others, have given out over the net, I find myself very reluctant to give out any info concerning waterfowling.

We are blessed here in W KY and W TN to have such a great area to fish and be able to spread out the pressure so it doesn't ruin our day on the water when folks choose to get in the boat with you while you are on the water. I know we have all experienced that and it sticks with us. I applaud those who freely give out info but also respect those who choose not to.

I have to give a hand to Old Guide as well. Being one of those wide eyed dazed and confused newbies, I was tickled to see his original post. I am still splashing around in the kiddie pools like Rough River, Reelfoot and Taylorsville so it did my heart good to hear there are guys like him out there actually looking to be helpful! I got the bug and will be hanging around the forum hoping to learn from you guys. Maybe soon I will give a crack at the big water. Got to get better at fishing and boat management though.

well partner fish every chance you get practice makes perfect fish on till you get it right