Lurkers

[Jennie@ifish]

I have heard from some people that I have met, whom are lurkers, that they are afraid to post because of our opinions of lurkers.
What is wrong with a lurker? Why do people have to post?
I know it is probably that you think most people lurking are just there to get info. Duh! They are!
But some of them don't have anything to add to it. They are just learning.
I have been asked repeatedly. Why do we have bad attitudes towards lurkers?
Speak to them, they are listening!
Please, don't be hard on them, some of them do want to join, but you know how it is moving into a new community!
Jen

[smilesforu]

Jen the biggest problem with being a lurker is you can't ask questions or offer opinions that can make a difference....everybody has something to offer no matter how small it is.

[Fish Hunter]

Who says Lurkers are beginners? Everyone has to start somewhere. Just about anyone can contribute something to this board. I think lurkers are fairly proficient (or professional) fishers that glean info from this board without ever contributing. The fishing invite I posted tonight is certainly extended to beginners. Hell I'll fish with almost anybody. images/icons/grin.gif

[boater]

jennie, can you tell if they are lurkers or just members hitting the refresh button every 2 minutes ??

[Hookset]

Everyone shares a common bond here relating to fishing, otherwise they wouldn't be here.
People will always lurk and not participate, there choice. But those who come forward and share some fun and fishing tails will enjoy this site so much more then just garnering information. We have a community here and it's nice to meet all the people that visit.
If we could get more people to post and share information, stories, adventures, friendships and trips, this site would be just that much better.

Everyone is welcome here. Be it a first timer or seasoned veteran, we welcome all.
Think of this post/thread as the welcome mat, an ivitation to have fun with fellow fisherpeople who would like a chance to meet you. Everyone started somewhere, might as well be sooner then later.

Looking foward to meeting you,

Gregg

[sinker]

There's lots of message boards and newsgroups that I lurk on. I just don't have the time to post on all of them. If I did I would post. When I have joined boards and announced that I luked there for a while I have never been accused of anything or looked down at because of it. I've always been welcomed onto it.
Yes, lurkers take up Jen's bandwidth and suck info without giving any back, but given enough time, maybe they won't be lurkers anymore. I've got a feeling most of the active members here lurked for a while, if nothing else just to check it out.

[Sliderite]

I have been lurking for some months now and with this post I finally decided to take the plunge. There were times when I wished to add information but thought the other areas of my fishing knowledge were lacking. But I hope now that I am here I can provide what I do know.
I would like to take an ifisher down the river and hopefully we can learn from each other.

[Jennie@ifish]

These are people that I meet at shows, etc, that say, "Oh yeah, I've read the ifish board..."
And then the lurking thing came up.
A new member! Yay! Welcome!
Jen

[Nanook]

Nah, the only real "lurkers" are those that hang out near or in the bathrooms at Greyhound stations! images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif


http://www.animfactory.com/animations/people_a_l/cops_robbers/detective_sneaking_md_wht.gif

[AllThumz]

For relative newbies like myself, I think there is somewhat of an intimidation factor. There is an incredible knowledge base here, and for a long time I felt like the consummate outsider. I lurked for quite a while, and then decided to jump in. Asking questions has always been the fastest way to learn.

At least there doesn't seem to be the "Go away, you're bothering me" kind of snooty attitude here that I have encountered elsewhere over the years (I'm talking about totally unrelated hobbies - not any other fishing board).

I did a lot of growing up in the bottom end of that state that shares a southern border with Oregon, so I'm used to that kind of fishing (still enjoy it, too images/icons/smile.gif ).

Anyway, that's my take on the subject.

John images/icons/smile.gif

As soon as I can convince the wife that I need a new Curado to go with the new TH 1084 rod that just arrived, I'll be out there beating the water to a froth! images/icons/grin.gif

[ampersat]

i think the most valuable thing a novice can bring to this board are their questions. i don't know much about what i'm doing out there, as evidenced by my mostly empty harvest tag. most of us are probably wondering about a technique or place to go and don't bother to ask about it. when someone asks and someone else answers, we all learn something. isn't that why we read this board? (except for those lucky folks who share pics of their catches with the rest of us)

[OR Coast Range]

I'm pretty much a newbie to the whole steelhead and salmon thing. I've put in a lot of time this year, and hopefully my catch statistics will go up (the only time I've punched my card has been on trips with other Ifishers).

Ifish is a great resource and you get the most out of it if you post your questions and observations. Sure you might take some good natured ribbing, but thats just part of fishing in my opinion. Anyways, post and introduce yourself. You don't need to be an expert fisherman - I think that I'm proof of that! images/icons/tongue.gif

[Phish_on]

I have no problem with lurkers. I think it's more fun to play than to watch, but ... whatever!

I also don't have much good information to offer, compared with the mighty gods of angling here --- images/icons/grin.gif --- I contribute what I can and greatly appreciate the responses to my questions.

As for folks "lurking" just to get information, that's OK, I'm not going to publicize anything I don't want to publicize. A couple of times I have given out more detail on individual e-mail.

LURK ON

[ol tuna skipper]

For you lurkers, I only laerned by asking questions. Asking them here instead of on the river you usually don't get the snobby attitudes. I asked a guy on the river how to fish for shad and I got a smirk and a shake of the head. What an @@$. I have never received that here. Jump in and ask. The only dumb question is the one that is never asked!

Ask away, some of us love to share what we have learned.

Once the run is over those fish are not comming back, so why not share the info and enjoy. But you have to ask!

images/icons/smile.gif

[will_e_fish]

Jen- major lurkers like me all have as many excuses as days are under the sun. For me it is a place to relax collect thoughts, be at peace and have some fun. Much like fishing or just as close to it with out being there you can get.Just like when I am fishing I dont scream, yell, fight or talk alot without saying anything worthwhile or productive. I like the road less traveled the hole less fished, for the solitude the harmony and bliss of finding finned creatures without the thundering heard beating the water crazy beside me. I also say pleasant things to fisherpeople when passing and raise my voice when I see wrong being done. But on the board it is kinda different but the same, I have only joined in commenting the last month,picking and choosing what I will comment too. Trying to be part of a solution to a common goal more knowledge more fish = more fun. In the past when lurking on the IFish someone would have a question and so soon after reading it someone else answered it! I felt I had a good answer,held back not adding more not to be redundant or a irratating know it all altough adding confirmation is good and postive,I felt enough said is good, why beat the water up? I can learn more while listening/reading than talking/posting. May your next fishing trip be peaceful.

will_e_fish images/icons/cool.gif

[GoFish]

"Lurker", geez, just the designation turns me off! Sounds like something that belongs associated with a misdemeanor crime instead of a discussion board "read-only" type person.

[Pescador]

I'm a new member and long time "visitor" and was one who raised this question recently with Jennie. As a relative newcomer and novice fisherman in this area, I haven't felt I had much to contribute. I've learned a tremendous amount by just reading. Have to admit I've been a bit intimidated by some put-downs I've read from a few old timers that have made me reluctant to ask my "stupid" questions. Anyway, appreciate the posts on this thread and look forward to becoming a more "vocal" participant.

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

Don't be afraid to post your stupid questions because we are all too quick to post our stupid answers images/icons/grin.gif

I think those with questions need to realize this scenario about the majority of us:

lurker: "Can I ask a stupid question?"

reply: "Better than anyone I know...." images/icons/tongue.gif

A lot of us keep a window open to the board, or we check it periodically. There's not many questions that fall off the board, so ask away. Start with the basics, and then move onto more 'advanced' or non-traditional methods.

[Master Baiter]

Welcome to all the new participants!

"The only stupid question is an unasked question!" images/icons/wink.gif

Hey Yall pioneered the non-traditional methodology, he has even advanced the more advanced techniques. images/icons/rolleyes.gif images/icons/tongue.gif images/icons/grin.gif

[Crusin]

Geeee, I pretty much only lurk at the boat ramps.

[Jennie@ifish]

Pescador! I know who you are! Love playing internet detective..
Welcome aboard! (And I will get that new forum up, darnit!)
images/icons/smile.gif
J

[Pescador]

I knew I couldn't hide from you, Jennie! I'll be waiting for the new board, and plan to try Sunset lake soon for bass.

[Gooseman]

I too have watched from the sidelines for about 6 months. I've enjoyed learning some of the more intricate details of fishing on the CR. I haven't had much opportunity to apply it yet, but I'm working on that.
Since my primary focus is waterfowling, and am such a rookie at the fishing game, I didn't feel I had much to add. But since I recently lost my hunting/fishing partner(moved to Colorado), I figured, what the heck.

[SheBeFishin]

I'm a very new member - and a pretty new fishergirl. and although i haven't posted much - The info i gather here helps alot. I am mostly a bank fisher and hike into the high lakes sometimes - you guys here let me keep tabs on what's going on in the other fishing worlds out there. RT had a good one about littering. I carry a garbage bag with me every time i fish and carry out other peoples garbage. Let's keep our favorit places great!! Anyway - I am new and probably will ask my share of dumb questions, but love the attitude here that all is welcome. Thank you! images/icons/wink.gif

[ol tuna skipper]

shebefishin,

welcome aBOARD, images/icons/smile.gif , And ask all the questions you want. I started on here in march of this year and have asked many questions. All have been answered with an abundace of knowledge and no attitude, but there is a little humor here and there. images/icons/shocked.gif

Anyway enjoy the reading and ask away. images/icons/grin.gif