Table Rock Hospitatlity.......and Then Some Not-so Hospitable

[motoman]

Some of you may have read a month or so ago, I was down at The Rock, and had some engine trouble within the first 10 minutes of being on the water. Leon over at Schooner Creek Resort referred me to Specialized Marine, their tech was out, but they were very nice, and referred me to Carl over at Dynaprop. Although I didn't have a prop issue, Carl quickly got us back on the water, for pennies on the dollar.

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I'm more used to LOZ hospitality, where they see someone from out of town in a bind, and then all they see are $$$$$. And take advantage of the situation. Carl could have easily done that, as I was unfamiliar with the issue I was having, but he took good care of us and was very honest on what he charged. I was pleasantly surprised. And that's why I did not title this thread 'Ozark Hospitality'................as it may have been misconstrude to include LOZ. (but again, this is just my experience)

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But, my next experience kinda soured me. Although I don't think it involved a local.

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I had misread a thread while I was staying at Schooner last weekend, and thought a fellow board member was staying there the same time as I, as he gave a description of his boat in the thread.

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Well, I saw (who I thought) was this boat owner pull up in the dock, I went over and asked how he did (after a tournament last sunday). Hoping it would be a fellow OAF member I could put a face to a name with. He replied they did not do too well. And told me the weight of their sack. I told him, "that was pretty good!", trying to be positive and respectful. and he stated, "Well not good enough"..............O.K. (sarcasm)

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Then I asked if he was a board member on Ozarkanglers.................and here's where I get steamed..................

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His response is, "....................possibly..........(in a crappy tone).................."

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POSSIBLY !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!??!???!. What kind of crap answer is that!?!?!?!?!

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I then told him I thought he may have been someone who posted on the boards that was staying at Schooner. He said it wasn't him. (odds were pretty good if I read the thread correctly, as sunday evening, there were only 2 other boats there)

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For some reason, that A$$hole response really hit a nerve with me! POSSIBLY????????????............give me a break. Good Lord, I was just trying to be friendly, and that's the reply I get...............sheesh!

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Appearently if you don't have big sponsorship, an expensive boat, a fishfinder that looks like a laptop, you can't be part of the cool club!

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It just hacks me off to think such a great online community as these boards, has some lurkers who insist on hiding in the shadows, peering out at everyone. And then when asked if they are a member, to only reply.............POSSIBLY! Like he's embarrassed to admit he's a board member here. (shameful)

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I understand that not everyone wants to post or discuss things on the boards, but for petes sake, you don't have to be a jerk about it!

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O.K. I think my rants over.

[smallmouthjoe]

Appearently if you don't have big sponsorship, an expensive boat, a fishfinder that looks like a laptop, you can't be part of the cool club!

Try fishing from a kayak on Table Rock. People look at you like your the Geek at a freak show. Some actually come up and will fish on top of me, because what could this kid fishing out of a kayak know about catching fish. D-bags are everywhere don't let them get you down.

[vacation]

I used to fish out of a 1953 14' alumnicraft with a 15hp motor...really great fish catching boat, but not too good to look at.

People would always cut in front of me fishing banks, back of coves, etc...However, one day I did get my revenge....

My brother and I were out fishing one Saturday morning in May, bass were shallow then...there was a Ranger tournament that day (not a slam on Rangers...I love em; just stating the fact of the day) and the tourney guys in the Ranger were watching my brother and I catching bass like no body's business, finally when we were taking out of the cove, they ran us down only to ask what we were using and where to go fishing...we politely responded, then joked to ourselves later that the guys who fish in kayaks, smaller boats, older boats, etc... are usually the ones to watch out for, as they usually catch fish and are confined to slowing their presentation and cant run up and down the lake all day.....

Now I have a 21' boat with a 150hp merc, but I always give respect to the guys in the little boats, b/c afterall, we all have fished out of them at one time or another.

I am in las vegas working until tomorrow afternoon, then off to the lake...I am having fishing withdrawels bigtime here.

[Whack'emGood]

Now I have a 21' boat with a 150hp merc, but I always give respect to the guys in the little boats, b/c afterall, we all have fished out of them at one time or another.

I'm with you Vacation. I don't care if a guy is fishing out of a 1942 Clunker Classic with a 1-man (oars) motor and chawin' tebakey plugging up some holes in the bottom... I will still give him all the respect he deserves, and then some.

Hey Motoman-- I don't blame you one bit for getting irked. If you ever see two guys flingin' lures in a 2004 Nitro NX882 (White with silver and black) and a 150-horse Merc on the back, come over and say hello. We can shake hands and swap some stories. I would be glad to meet any Ozarkanglers member out on the water anytime-- except maybe that guy who snobbed you!

Whack'em

[motoman]

Good points guys, I shouldn't let it bother me. But, it just got under my skin.

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Sadly, goons like that guy give anglers a bad name.

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And whack'em, I'll be on the lookout for yah, and certainly say howdy!

[J.E.]

Hey! I've got sponsors, an expensive bass boat, and a laptop that looks like a depth finder, or something like that, but I ain't cool! If you don't believe me ask Capt. Don or Techno they'll tell ya!

Seriously,

Those guys are the ones that l miss out, blow it off and enjoy!

J.E.

[Pour Dennis]

Motoman,

I feel your pain also as I used to get the same treatment when I had a 16' Tracker. I too have a great deal of respect for those that fish the less expensive rigs as the water belongs to everyone not just those of us with the big glass rigs. If you ever make it down near Shell Knob, look for a 20' Triton (white with a green stripe) stop by and say hello. Or drop into Lakeside and get a cup of coffee or just to say hello. I work there Monday and Friday evenings, and I open once in a while on Sunday's.

[Tom Spence]

Sorry you had that kind of experience. I hope you know the vast majority of guys on this forum and many other guys on the rock who aren't on this forum are great guys (and gals). If you ever see me flag me down and say hi. Gray, black, and white Champion 198 with a Merc. An like JE, I have sponsors, a big depth finder, and a big boat, but I ain't cool. Just ask my kids!

[motoman]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I know that yahoo I ran into is in the minority, everyone on the boards here have been great.

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OAF harkens back to my ute', when everyone was friendly to each other; always willing to lend a hand, and you never locked your doors. I guess when I'm on the boards here, I quickly forget that there are a couple of bad apples floating around. Every great community has 'em, it's probably just best to ignore 'em!

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I need to just make like a duck, and let it run off my back! .............quack, quack!

[ozarkgunner]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I know that yahoo I ran into is in the minority, everyone on the boards here have been great.

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OAF harkens back to my ute', when everyone was friendly to each other; always willing to lend a hand, and you never locked your doors. I guess when I'm on the boards here, I quickly forget that there are a couple of bad apples floating around. Every great community has 'em, it's probably just best to ignore 'em!

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I need to just make like a duck, and let it run off my back! .............quack, quack!

Don't quack too much........... some of the boys around here will put some steel in you!!!!!! JUST KIDDING!

Come back...... I'm sure the repeat will be worth it!

Tight lines!