Flw In Trouble?

[Champ188]

One Ranger cap and it was given to me by my dealer. I usually fish in a cap with the logo of someone who does actually sponsor me and Donna.

[Quillback]

I'm going to wear my "free" Tackle Warehouse T-shirts no matter what you guys think..

[Champ188]

QB, there's quite a difference in wearing a free TW t-shirt as opposed to spending big money on boat wraps and jerseys just to pose as a "pro."

[Feathers and Fins]

I have a St Croixe hat I wear and im not sponsored by them but I do like their rods. Heck I have an OAF sticker on my truck by I am not sponsored by OAF, I don't think Phil sponsors anyone but I do see more and more of those stickers around.

I don't think a person is a Wannabe or Goober just because they like to show their support of a product, company or even website they like. Its the persons actions and attitudes that make them the Goober or Wannabe. Heck you can be a long time veteran hunter or fisherman but if you go belittling things and people all the time or act like an idiot I put you higher on the Goober list than some young kid who hasn't had a mentor yet to help them.

There are a few duckhunters on here but they know what im talking about.

[Champ188]

People pretending to be someone they aren't = goober.

[jaspy111]

everyone wears or reps some sort of brand everytime they are on the water not matter what they are fishing for, its our way of supporting the sport we love very much

[J-Doc]

My wife got me some Ranger gear for Christmas. Not because I'm a pro wannabe. But because I'm proud of my little rig and wanted a winter hat, a t-shirt, and a coffee mug.

A good friend also gave me a tournament shirt (not really a Jersey) that's simplly says Ranger on the back. I've got two now. Good for summer tournaments. Of which indont fish in. Well......yet.

Poser?

Maybe but not likely.

Proud of the industry itself, love the sport, and want to support it? Definitely. What starches one man's under drawers may make the other fella happy. :-) Just differences in opinion. Neither is wrong nor right.

Personally......

I say, the word professional is way overused anyway. It's become synopsis with anything from toilet bowl cleaner to football. The term profession is much more complex than we as a society has over simplified it's use today which really chaps my behind (thus starched undershorts reference earlier). It negates the true meaning and removes any distinguishment from where it truely should be. The term has a meaning such as:

a vocation founded upon specialized educational training, the purpose of which is to supply objective counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain

those practiced on the basis of relevant professional qualifications in a personal, responsible and professionally independent capacity by those providing intellectual and conceptual services in the interest of the client and the public

To my point, toilet bowl cleaner and pro anglers do not provide a "counsel" or specialized service gained thru extensive education and training and for the public or for the protection of the public.

Now. Who's a poser? Toilet bowl cleaners!!!! Darn them!! :-)

[Quillback]

Since we're talking about clothing, AGFC has short and long sleeved 100th anniversary T-shirts for sale. Reasonably priced. I like the long sleeve with the smallie on the back.

http://www.agfc.com/store/Pages/Merchandise.aspx?action=ShowDetails&itemId=16

[J-Doc]

Supporting them by buying one supports the sport and helps them regulate and manage it. Good find.

[Champ188]

What starches one man's under drawers may make the other fella happy. :-) Just differences in opinion. Neither is wrong nor right.

Agreed wholeheartedly on this, J-Doc. It's this specific point that some seem to miss.

For the record, nothing that I've stated in this post or any other is more than my own simple, personal opinion. Might as well put it out there. The way this country is headed, it might not be long before we no longer have that freedom.