my opinion and my opinion only.

[Sac River Jim]

theres been some threads here lately which when you get right down to the nitty gritty i sum it up from my own experiences in life as this . when I dont like something and or it makes me uncomfortable my first instincts are to lash out at it and want to change it. It never ever worked that way for me and only made me more frustrated. length creel limits are set by the powers to be and theres very little we can do about it. As some members pointed out theres legal and theres moral and to me that is a very private thing i have to live with and i cant force it on anyone else, its part of my individual spirituality. Acceptance has been the key for me. i cant change the things around me but i can change my attitude and the ways i do things. I feel i'm blessed to live in a country where i'm able to get out on the water and enjoy what God has given us. I;m far from being a good fisherman but I continue to try and learn new things. I fish what papi ray calls fishing out the box. i'm willing to try new baits and techniques and i'm constantly trying to improve my technique or tweek them to my needs. For me the key to becoming a successful fisherman doesnt have a thing to do with how often or how hard i work at it its being able to continue to enjoy the sport no matter how many or how big the fish are i catch, I would like to be remembered some day as a Sportsman and it doesnt have a darn thing to do with how many fish ive caught over the years it has everything to do with setting a good example for those around me. My advice to all is quit worrying about the stuff we have no control over and enjoy your time on the water and take a buddy fishing or better then that take a kid fishing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dprice]

That's a great perspective jim. Personally I always thot it was even more rewarding to know you were blessed and be appreciative for it as well. To be .....thank ful ! I see many people that get to Go fishing and truthfully are not having fun ?

Kinda like this forum. I can personally say that the things I read on here stimulate the mind and get me to thinking with different angles

So many people have helped me with there generosity of advice.

[Sac River Jim]

there are many people on OAF I highly respect and have learned alot from over the years. i dont dare try to list everyone cause i'll leave someone out, but you kmow who you are because i continually read and like your threads and posts. I want to thank all of you for the knowledge you have unselfishly given out over the years.

[Shad Ball Buster]

Hopefully my post about taking home all those whites and crappie hasn't offended anyone, everything was definitely legal and as far as moral, well all those fish will be eaten by some very happy people.

[Sac River Jim]

Not at all buster my point is about changing mental attitudes and fishing tactics to adapt to the waters we fish and not focusing on things beyond our control so fishing is enjoyable

[MOPanfisher]

Oddly in a way its like hanging around a small local bait shop. There are always some folks there who will talk and bluster, scream and holler, but when it comes down to it, they will help you out with whatever you need. Now tomorrow they will be back at that "shop" haranguing everyone again.

[DADAKOTA]

Well said Sac RIver Jim. I have many of the same beliefs as you. Finding fish, trying to figure out why they are there, and figuring out different ways to catch them is far more satisfying than the actual catch itself. I totally enjoy taking folks and putting them on some fish. Maybe they can take something I showed them and use it to help them catch fish in the future.

[zarraspook]

AMEN - Brother Jim !!