What would make most happy?

[Spiel]

Rivers may be miles in length, but at this time of year the sections you're actually allowed to fish might be limited to only a couple of hundred yards. It's impossible to not be overly specific when identifying a location.

 

Beyond that, as Bill notes, timing is a really big issue. Everyone knows that the XXXX river has a steelhead run. But that doesn't mean the fish are there all day, every day. When they are present, they're extremely vulnerable to over-harvest. Remember, lots of people read these posts. I've seen it again and again where someone puts a picture on the internet, and the next day, there are a gazillion cars at the spot. Those fish get hammered, and it's not fair - to other guys who fish there, or to the fish themselves.

 

And, let's be honest, not all of the people reading these posts are ethical anglers who obey the regs. The clowns who go down there at night with nets and grappling hooks to slaughter fish for eggs also read these boards. In fact, it's probably their best source of information on where and when to go. Should we really be helping them?

 

I like fish porn as much as the next guy, but not if it will negatively impact the fish. How about we all post shots from last summer's bass fishing? I'd like to see that now. We can look at the steelhead shots in July, when they're safely back in the lake.

 

 

Exactly!

[Roe Bag]

Rivers may be miles in length, but at this time of year the sections you're actually allowed to fish might be limited to only a couple of hundred yards. It's impossible to not be overly specific when identifying a location.

 

Beyond that, as Bill notes, timing is a really big issue. Everyone knows that the XXXX river has a steelhead run. But that doesn't mean the fish are there all day, every day. When they are present, they're extremely vulnerable to over-harvest. Remember, lots of people read these posts. I've seen it again and again where someone puts a picture on the internet, and the next day, there are a gazillion cars at the spot. Those fish get hammered, and it's not fair - to other guys who fish there, or to the fish themselves.

 

And, let's be honest, not all of the people reading these posts are ethical anglers who obey the regs. The clowns who go down there at night with nets and grappling hooks to slaughter fish for eggs also read these boards. In fact, it's probably their best source of information on where and when to go. Should we really be helping them?

 

I like fish porn as much as the next guy, but not if it will negatively impact the fish. How about we all post shots from last summer's bass fishing? I'd like to see that now. We can look at the steelhead shots in July, when they're safely back in the lake.

 

Kudos Mr. Ritchie. Couldn't be better said. Thank you.

[davey buoy]

Kudos Mr. Ritchie. Couldn't be better said. Thank you.

 

I believe that's a top ten post:thumbsup_anim:,What else can you say.

[Harrison]

Rivers may be miles in length, but at this time of year the sections you're actually allowed to fish might be limited to only a couple of hundred yards. It's impossible to not be overly specific when identifying a location.

 

Beyond that, as Bill notes, timing is a really big issue. Everyone knows that the XXXX river has a steelhead run. But that doesn't mean the fish are there all day, every day. When they are present, they're extremely vulnerable to over-harvest. Remember, lots of people read these posts. I've seen it again and again where someone puts a picture on the internet, and the next day, there are a gazillion cars at the spot. Those fish get hammered, and it's not fair - to other guys who fish there, or to the fish themselves.

 

And, let's be honest, not all of the people reading these posts are ethical anglers who obey the regs. The clowns who go down there at night with nets and grappling hooks to slaughter fish for eggs also read these boards. In fact, it's probably their best source of information on where and when to go. Should we really be helping them?

 

I like fish porn as much as the next guy, but not if it will negatively impact the fish. How about we all post shots from last summer's bass fishing? I'd like to see that now. We can look at the steelhead shots in July, when they're safely back in the lake.

 

Well written Craig.

 

Another senstitive area is crappie spots in the spring. One of my fav's was just destroyed after being posted on the net and then shown on TV. Actually know a land owner with shoreline there, he's really looking forward to this spring. It's a slaughter.

Edited March 21, 2012 by Harrison

[Spiel]

Well written Craig.

 

Another senstitive area is crappie spots in the spring. One of my fav's was just destroyed after being posted on the net and then shown on TV. Actually know a land owner with shoreline there, he's really looking forward to this spring. It's a slaughter.

 

 

 

I'll add to that "sensitive" comment Harrison in the form of the constant updates at the "Ganny" fish ladder, while it's certainly interesting to know it could have/should have waited till a later date IMO.

[reelinrolly]

This is awesome!!!

 

Ive been kicked off other forums for expressing my view on this topic. While rivers may be long and lakes may be vast, they sure seem to shrink when you get a million people on them lol. I post reports on other local sites that are vague in nature. Water temp, depth, lure choice, trolling speed, clarity. But at the same time I try not to pin point exactly where I was. A report such as this can at least set an angler in the right direction without attracting a million people to your area.

\

IMO

[misfish]

And, let's be honest, not all of the people reading these posts are ethical anglers who obey the regs. The clowns who go down there at night with nets and grappling hooks to slaughter fish for eggs also read these boards. In fact, it's probably their best source of information on where and when to go. Should we really be helping them?

 

This makes perfect sense. Need to rethink. Thanks

[Pikeslayer]

I've been giving this thread a lot of thought since it was posted. I suppose what would make me most happy, is to never see another locked/deleted thread related to a fishing report on OFC.

There have been many positive ideas and opinions expressed so far and it seems there is no shortage of members who would welcome positive change.

So....what if,

There was a sub forum devoted to fishing reports. Where a report is delayed/hidden from viewing for a short period of time (as BillM suggests).

What if,

This sub forum was 'managed' by a group of volunteer mentors who are passionate about this sensitive issue? Mentors could review,approve or request revisions (by the OP) before releasing for general view.

What if,

Members of this community continue to "opt out" of posting a report because they're "not sure about proper etiquette". Yes, there are rules as Art reminded us all. Some are black & white, others are grey. Does "prefer" mean yes you can, or no you can't? As for "common sense";

“Common sense is not so common.”

― Voltaire

“Common sense is the most widely shared commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it.”

― René Descartes

So what if,

We tried 'change'? Something different. Something that would make us a stronger community?

 

And that's what might make us all happy.

 

“Don't find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain”

― Henry Ford

 

 

Sincerely,

Slayer

Edited March 21, 2012 by pikeslayer

[mercman]

What i would like, is that if everyone realized that we are all here to share our passion with each other, not to deliberately hurt the sport we all love.

Some of us have little experience, some of us have many years of experience.When you see a post that is too explicit, or one that you suspect may be OOS fishing, or breaking some rule either of this forum or the fishing regulations, use the PM system to ask questions of the OP regarding the thread instead of flaming or forcing someone to publicly defend themselves on an open forum.I dont think many are foolish enough to deliberately bring the wrath of God down on themselves.I bet many are just excited about thier day on the water.

And be polite above all things.We are all human beings, and deserve to be treated with respect.Every single one of us, from the newest newbie, to the most seasoned veteran angler, has something to offer this forum.

 

Best Regards

 

Paul

[Roy]

Yeah, I'll agree with Paul on this one.

[spincast]

Well said Paul - The job of moderating the content, and the adherence to the forum rules, should lie with the mods. If a post transgresses the rules, MODify it and notify the OP why in a PM. Flamethrowers do nothing to improve the experience of the site. Notify a mod if you feel a post shouldnt be on. No need to blast and belittle in public. Craig made some extremely valid points. A local trout stream I used to love fishing got a write upon OOD about 10 or so years ago. It used to hold 10 lbers and could be counted on for season long trout. Now, if you see anything come out of there it is less then 12" long, and far too frequently on a stringer of someone who neither reads nor cares about the regs. This site is not intended to be a wikpedia of where to harvest fish, but those who have no respect will use it as such, and we should be mindful of that when posting

 

Strive to find balance. Respect the resource, and respect the members. The two are not necessarily mutually exclusive.