Strange Email

[Troy Gregg]

Over the years I've seen rude Pro's and regular Joes. I guess the worst were fishing or pre-fishing a tournemet. Seems better these days than in the past, but it has created a bad image for all of them. Perhaps the bad ones just stick out in your memory, and don't remember all the others that are being polite. Probably goes for Guides and Pros too, they remember the rude people and don't pay attention to the rest of the folks out there?

I ran into Don at the ramp and we got to talking and when he told me about this I was taken aback. Don, it was nice to finally meet you, and I am sure we could have gone on and on...

but now this topic has struck a chord...

The things that stick out most in societies mind is the bad, the negative aspects of anything. Just look at the media.

Now as far as fishing, 90% of people fishing are friendly and pleasant to talk to. They are more than willing to share whats been going on for them. This pertains to ALL fisherman: Guide, pro, or everyday joe. I read this topic and have held my tongue, but long enough.

I fish as a co-angler in two tournament circuits and have met some of the greatest guys you could ever ask to meet in the tournament field. Now with anything there is always a few guys who don't act accordingly. This is what gets us into trouble, its that one person who cut us off, that one person who ran up only to see someone on "their" spot and turns around with arms up and throwing a wake, that one person who tells us were number one for no reason. This behavior is unacceptable and unwarranted. Thankfully, I have not fished with one of these people. I have had a rather pleasant experience fishing from the back of the boat. but you do see behavior from other boats that just rubs you the wrong way.

I can understand completely where the guides are coming from as well... I am not a guide, but working towards becoming one. I know several of the guys on this forum and several more who are guides but not on this forum. And to have someone stealing your patterns really is theft. Guiding is a business.. it may be a dream job for some, but regardless it is a JOB. Like Bill, Don, and many others will tell you, you have to keep your clients on fish. The guides are providing a service to their clients. The only problem here.. this service is ever changing, the patterns change, the target moves, adversity happens. This is probably one of the most adverse careers someone could choose, and to throw in someone looking for a freeby only adds to the frustration. When a guide boat is being followed it is as though you are stealing and cheating all at the same time. You are cheating yourself out of the thrill of the chase. you are cheating the guide out of all the time and effort they have invested. You are stealing the fun and enjoyment from a paying client. You are stealing from the guides service. Personally speaking if you ask a guide how they are catching there fish... you will get all the information you need... if you know how to use it...

Just look at this forum...

Bill Babler, Eric ( Focused Fishing), Chris Tetric, Don House, these are just a few of the guides...

rps, Pour Dennis, Jeremy Rasnick, motoman, Myself.. these are a few of the regulars who post...

We all give information that can be used to help you catch fish, without giving away our spots. If you find the right kind of bank or structure you will catch fish. There is no need to chase a guide boat, or wrapped boat all around the lake. 9 times out of 10 these guys are fishing their style and catching fish how they know how...

Guides and Pros alike are more than happy to share basic information and tips and tricks... talk fishing with any one of these guys and you will see. These really are the nicest bunch of people you could ever meet.

I would argue that fishing would be a heck of alot tougher than it already is if it werent for the pro's and guides... then nobody would have a thing to go on... atleast they give us a starting point to put our own pattern together.

I

[fishinwrench]

You can eliminate a lot of the followers and hole hunters by electing not to dress yourself and your boat, motor, truck, trailer with all the "bling".

The caliber of people you wish to avoid drawing attention from are still attracted to that rolling, walking, and floating billboard thing. It was a cool fashion statement 20 years ago, but I think it is time to let it go unless your "sponsors" demand it. Especially if you truly wish to reduce your paparazzi.

Don't take this the wrong way bro's, but....you kinda sound like a group of chicks dressed in thongs, bitching about guys watching them.

[focused fishing]

You can eliminate a lot of the followers and hole hunters by electing not to dress yourself and your boat, motor, truck, trailer with all the "bling".

The caliber of people you wish to avoid drawing attention from are still attracted to that rolling, walking, and floating billboard thing. It was a cool fashion statement 20 years ago, but I think it is time to let it go unless your "sponsors" demand it. Especially if you truly wish to reduce your paparazzi.

Don't take this the wrong way bro's, but....you kinda sound like a group of chicks dressed in thongs, bitching about guys watching them.

Well since another one of my comments started this mess for Bill I might as well chime in........

Yep, make a substantial portion of my living in the fishing industry, I've worked very hard and have been very blessed with the ability to do so and I hope it continues for many years to come. But I have to agree with Don, these "spots" we take our clients to are how we make our living, how would you like it if someone followed you to where you make your living and was in your way making your job difficult one day and impossible the next?

Like Bill said my job is not to go fishing, it is to put my clients on fish and ensure they have an enjoyable day on the water.

Sounds easy doesn't it?

Remember the last day you struggled catching fish? Try that with one, two or three (In Don's case as many as five) people paying you to put them on fish. Yep your right it's easy.... almost as easy as getting a license and paying that big insurance bill every year.

None of us own the lake but just because you own a boat and bought a license doesn't mean you can be inconsiderate, you know better you just don't want to admit it.

Fishinwrench, I agree that some of us have fancy rigs with wraps etc.... but that doesn't excuse the behavior.

Oh well, time to go back and write some reports that people can complain about and post something to tick off wonderful, thoughtful, personable people like Mr. ColdWaterfishr. What a nice guy. I hope he shared his post with his family, I'm sure they'd be proud.

Love you long time.....

EP

[Gary Lange]

The behavior referred to in this thread is done by individuals who are to lazy and to inept to find fish on there own. They reason that since the Guide doesn't own the lake nor the spot he is fishing that they can steal one or more of his fishing holes by following him around. I sometimes struggle on this lake but I am not going to follow a guide around and try to get spots off of him. Just reading this board has given me much of the knowledge I needed to find some fish. I had the brother-in-law in town and took him out on Table Rock and actually put him on some fish. These fish I found by reading the Fishing Reports given by our esteemed guides. I took this information and found areas that met the requirements and was able to put some fish in the boat. Not a bunch but a few and that felt good. I wouldn't feel good if I followed a guide around all day and then went out on my own and fished all his spots. These people need to get with the program and learn fish behavior and seasonal patterns and find spots and catch fish on there own. It may just come to pass that you will find a spot fished by one of the guides because you learned what he has learned from years of having to find fish for the client. I have fished with a guide several times because he is a personal friend and we checked out some new spots. I also guided a couple guys on the Fox River in Illinois on Sunday evening wading for Smallmouths. We caught some fish and I showed them the spots to look for and where fish were holding on the river and just about any river that is shallow and you are able to wade.

I see these people as Tourney Anglers that can't find fish and are not wining so they steal someone spot who has spent countless hours and perhaps built the spot on his own so they can go and take fish and collect a check. It is a shame that people have to resort to such tactics and then think that it is just fine to do it because it's a free country and they are not breaking any laws. I feel sorry for these clowns because they most likely have kids and will teach them to do this also.

If I am ever out with any of you and you see someone following you around just let me know and then stop and all the points you never really fish and we can laugh while we leave him with a GPS full of dead spots. I get out to enjoy the fresh air and the solitude and catching fish to me is a bonus that Mother Nature Grants me.

[fishinwrench]

These fish I found by reading the Fishing Reports given by our esteemed guides. I took this information and found areas that met the requirements

I understand what you're tryiing to say....but I'm gonna nit-pick it anyway, just for sport

First off, you still didn't "find the fish and put together the pattern on your own" so really how proud of yourself can you be ?

Secondly, How can you be sure that some of the "spots that met the described criteria" were not one of the guides money holes ?

I could go on and on....but I'm just pointing out a few details that make this whole scenario redundant. And yeah I was once a full time guide, off and on for 12 years, and I know the business as well as anyone I think.

[S&M]

Post deleted for the betterment of the members.

As well as my membership on this website.

[stone9-7=2]

Wow you have a lot of spots. LOL

[3inonegod]

I'm going to add my two cents. I think first of all that this is a great thread. I also think that fishing is like any other sport. You can tell me where to go, what to throw, and even how deep to fish it. If I do not posses the skill I will not catch any fish. I watched the golf tournament today, Tiger won. They repeatedly broke his swing and everything he did. Needless to say I can not golf like him.

On a second note we all have our jobs and work hard at what we do. I am a financial advisor and am asked all the time what I am selling to my clients. I share openly to others. I do my job with as much passion as anyone and do a great job for my clients.

My hobby is fishing and I will admit that I have only had the hobby for 3 years. I have managed learn a lot in the three years. I read books, magazines, talk to other fishermen, and fish whenever I get a chance. I will tell you that I watch other boats on the lake and if I can learn something from it I will.

I do not mean to get you guides upset but you all have knowledge and people will do what they can to learn. Some people take it to far. Appreciate what you have and try to make the most of it.

Complain to your spouses not on this thread.

Thirdly, I do not believe that someone that knows your spot will put you out of business.

Let is roll off your back.

David

[fishinwrench]

I do not believe that someone that knows your spot will put you out of business.

It never has before, not on any lake or river that I know of. Well put Sir.

Like I stated earlier,if you wish to be low-key, secretive and go un-noticed there are easy ways to do that....and it even LOWERS your overhead cost.

[CMAC]

I forgot, what were we talking about again?