Why are we ALL here???

[Plum Crazy]

Though I am semi new to the gang on Ifish. I have been reading and writing this for some time now and have seen some up's and down's in the writing that goes on. I don't get some of the arguments that transpire amoungst the few that seem to vent. I love the fishing tips and info that come out on hot spots and have a time or two told a few of my successes and failures to the Ifish world. However, I don't think that Jennie started this web so that fisher's could use this page to
Take without Giving and Learn without Teaching. This is not a game. It's a group of people who love to fish and want to learn and share all they can. Sometimes I think we have to agree to disagree and go on. Isn't that why we all log on everynight to just see whats up. Some of you may say whatever dude. It just seems that when the fishing is good the letters are high fives all around and when it's bad, take the gloves off it's time to dance. Some all in fun and some darn right nasty.
( some of this evenings thread )
No more preachin or pep talks. I'm off to bed and dreaming of Steelies in the future.
Fire :cheers:
Remember: Here today Gone Tomorrow

[Deleted User]

Very well put. Couldnt agree more. Personally, I come to iFish cuz "in the beginning", I didnt know even what kind of gear to buy (grew up in TX), where to go, how to fish, etc. iFish people helped me figure out the gear to buy, and a couple have taken me out on their boats, and a few have told me places to fish. To those members, I offer a sincere "Thank You!!".

That is why I come here. I still dont have a boat (for now), and still only know of a handfull of places to fish from the bank...but I am learning, and have met some nice folks on this site.

iFish helped me learn...I hope it will always continue to do that. Otherwise, it is just another web site about fishing where newbies can see pictures of nice fish, but never get closer to catching them (especially us 8-5 M-F types who get at most 1 day a week to fish....if that).

Hats off to the iFish members who are willing to teach. And tight lines.

[Sliderite]

I agree Fire in The Hole! Jennie's board as I see it is to have fun sharing information, learning, and just a great way for distraction from our daily grind. Don't take things too close to heart and it is always better to think twice before you post those nasty replies.
Fishing needs to be put in perspective. Things I see more important include your family and the health of your family. Your parents and friends also should not be forgotten. If your father is terminally ill..... how important is fishing then?????
The Golden rule always applies to everything... treat others....

[Jennie@ifish]

I don't like the down times, but now I find the "downs" very productive, actually.
Everytime I get upset over people fighting, it inspires me to do something good with ifish.
For instance, one fight inspired me to get together with the people to fight to keep the hatcheries open.
Another inspired me to start the Christmas Roll call going...
The more people fight, the more I am going to try and turn ifish into a positive influcence on the fishing world. To give back to what I've taken from it.
To encourage people to clean up the river banks, etc.
If this were all just a chat board, It'd be long gone by now. My tummy just couldn't hack it.
There were nights, long ago, when I'd go to bed crying at night, upset over things that happened on ifish, believe it or not!
I am still affected by fights like that, but now I just deal with it differently. It's a compensation thang.

Jen

[The Bad Fish]

i gave a total stranger some plugs last weekend because i kept hooking into fish and he wasnt, well the karma came back around and i had a great day yesterday. i will tell you everything i know about what to use how to use it, however some fishing spots i keep to myself. like the ones that i found by driving around and looking at maps.. cant we all just get along like good boys and girls? bf

[Jennie@ifish]

I did that too!
Doesn't it feel good? :smile:

We were on the Nehalem hooking lots of silvers on k 14s. There was a boat with three guys watching, and I gave them one. I had more fun giving away that plug then fishing, myself! Well..... Almost! :smile:

Don't get me wrong, I still get really frustrated with stuff on ifish.
Remember, there are some long time, very valuable members who you may perceive to be withholding information, or you may think that they are one way, when they are actually not... Look at their posts in the past two years before you make judgements. Perhaps they have learned some things the hard way.
We all have. :depressed:
Let's just be glad for what we have here at ifish, and go on. It isn't perfect, never will be, but we can all work to make it more so. After all, that's why we are here. We all love fishing!
Jen