Strange Email

[ness]

Ness and ColdWaterFshr....we also fish for fun and most of us became guides so we could share that fun with others, especially kids! Most non-guides do not get to work with kids, the developmentally challenged, or veterans like we do. Do you?

You know, I just can't let that one slide by.

I didn't bash you or disrespect you or anybody for what you do for a living. No way -- can't lay that one on me. What I did do was respond to this comment:

Boils down to this, I get to go fishing today and get paid for it.. What are you doing?

And as to your "Do you?"question above, yes I do. I volunteered for a number of years, and ultimately served on the board of The Dream Factory. If you haven't heard of it, they work with critically ill children. I was also a Cub Master and Assistant Scout Master for 7 years, but I don't work with veterans. I'm not crowing, you asked. Just like before. Am I OK now?

I've been a gentleman throughout this thing, and have tried to have a little fun too. I'm not on here to compare jobs, bash guides or smooth things over for Dallas. I didn't read every post, but I don't think the tone was overly negative towards guides. Certainly not from me. A few posts back, I believe the word 'jerk' was used in a context that would include me. Don't feel like that was really necessary, but I'm not really surprised at it given the rising tension here.

If I had one negative thing to say about the guides it would be this: I think some here have been a bit harsh, and have fostered an unnecessary us-versus-them tone to this discussion. And, I would add that there have been some that have handled themselves like gentlemen, or simply avoided the fray. My hats off to the latter.

[ozark trout fisher]

You know, I just can't let that one slide by.

I didn't bash you or disrespect you or anybody for what you do for a living. No way -- can't lay that one on me. What I did do was respond to this comment:

And as to your "Do you?"question above, yes I do. I volunteered for a number of years, and ultimately served on the board of The Dream Factory. If you haven't heard of it, they work with terminally ill children. I was also a Cub Master and Assistant Scout Master for 7 years, but I don't work with veterans. I'm not crowing, you asked. Just like before. Am I OK now?

I've been a gentleman throughout this thing, and have tried to have a little fun too. I'm not on here to compare jobs, bash guides or smooth things over for Dallas. I didn't read every post, but I don't think the tone was negative towards guides. Certainly not from me. A few posts back, I believe the word 'jerk' was used in a context that would include me. Don't feel like that was really necessary, but I'm not really surprised at it given the rising tension here.

If I had one negative thing to say about the guides it would be this: I think some here have been a bit harsh, and have fostered an unnecessary us-versus-them tone to this discussion. And, I would add that there have been some that have handled themselves like gentlemen, or simply avoided the fray.

Well said.

I have nothing against guides, as I matter of fact I hope to be one someday when situations permit. It would be an awesome way to make a living, and I understand its very hard work.

But, if I spend $300 on a guide, I expect to be able to use some of the patterns he shows me. Chances are, that's why I hired the guide in the first place.I'm not going to mark spots on my GPS or anything like that, but I may fish a few of the same places later on.

[Tfsh4bass]

I suppose your point is that all of us non-guides wish we were in your shoes? I've got some news for you -- I fish for fun, and I enjoy what I do for a living (and it's not fishing). If you're living your dream, that's wonderful. But don't make the arrogant assumption that all the rest of us are jealous.

Agreed...

Hell I fish around 80-90 days a year and have licenses for 6 states...not a guide and not a tournament pro...just fish for fun for the most part and am happy in my own shoes.

[Chris Tetrick]

Hey S&M,

that picture is hilarious of the woman running by. Where did you get that from?

[bigredbirdfan]

A few posts back, I believe the word 'jerk' was used in a context that would include me.

So You: Work really hard to piss off guides who provide an invaluable service to the forum?

[focused fishing]

Edit

If I had one negative thing to say about the guides it would be this: I think some here have been a bit harsh, and have fostered an unnecessary us-versus-them tone to this discussion. And, I would add that there have been some that have handled themselves like gentlemen, or simply avoided the fray. My hats off to the latter.

Ya know I looked over my comments, Don's, Bill's, Phil's and Joe's, seemed the negativity, name calling and us vs. them came from the other side, ColdWaterFshr, FlyFish69, et al.

But, I'm obviously bias

Well said.

I have nothing against guides, as I matter of fact I hope to be one someday when situations permit. It would be an awesome way to make a living, and I understand its very hard work.

But, if I spend $300 on a guide, I expect to be able to use some of the patterns he shows me. Chances are, that's why I hired the guide in the first place.I'm not going to mark spots on my GPS or anything like that, but I may fish a few of the same places later on.

Ozark Trout Fisher,

I fully expect my clients to use the patterns and techniques I show them, heck if they tell me they are going to fish the rest of the week on their own I will show them more locations to fish if we don't have time to fish them.

As for this thread in the words of George Castanza:

"I just think he should let the conversation end on it's own volition"

[Forsythian]

Seems to me you ought to be able to stir the pot once in a while. We're all avid fishermen, but we're not a monolith. I mean, look at the traffic this topic generated! Echo chambers are no fun.

That said, I can empathize with the guides here... a man's living is a touchy subject.

To Bill and Phil, I think you've shown your cool by leaving this topic open as long as you have... kudos!

To you non-guide "ban the jerks" out there, in the immortal words of Sgt Hulka: "lighten up Francis"!

[bigredbirdfan]

To you non-guide "ban the jerks" out there, in the immortal words of Sgt Hulka: "lighten up Francis"!

Nice reference since Francis was my favorite Stripes character (except for the mud wrestlers).

I didn't suggest folks get "banned" but continually pissing off the contributors on here does me, us and the forum no good. Its called respect. If people want to rant against and bash the ones providing 95% of the fishing reports on the Table Rock Forum....then like I suggested before...Jerks!!

[Troutfly69]

For the record, I'm not anti-guide and have a couple of friends that guide for a living. I guess I can apologize for the "skirt comment" but I tend to be sarcastic at times. Otherwise I don't feel I made any comments that I don't think are true. We're all entitled to our opinions and those are mine. I actually enjoy a good argument so this has been fun , to those of you still upset over the comments I and others have made.......you're obviously taking this forum a little too seriously!! Lighten up!!

[Bird Watcher]

To you non-guide "ban the jerks" out there, in the immortal words of Sgt Hulka: "lighten up Francis"!

I did say it and I stand by it.

Clean up the garbage and keep it a clean place for everyone to share information.

End of the day though, I don't care. I don't fish TR and won't use the information these people are giving up.

In a way it would it would be funny for all the pot stirrers to lose their free line on info. Kind of a make your bed now lay in it kind of deal.

but then those same pot stirrers will be on here complaining that no one answers their "anyone catching fish in the _____ area" posts.

Whatever...as previously stated I don't have an interest in fishing Table Rock, so therefore, I don't care if the reports dry up...personaly. It does suck for the other guys though.

I have no dog this fight and I am done too.