Brookies at Dukes (Report 2-22)

[spinboy]

Tmick, another buddy, and I spent all day today on the lower sections. Not a lot of catching but it was quality. I might break some hearts out there but we were all spin-fishing today. And why was everybody scrambling for their cars???? Todd and I were the only people left in the afternoon...everyone else wussed out. I guess no one was having luck with the fly rods :confused: Tmick caught some nice fat bows in the 16" range. The unnamed friend caught a beauty of an 18" bow that had to be the brightest red stripe I've ever seen and a monstrous jaw. The spawning fish are unreal. I pulled an 18" and 2 20" bows along with 1 teeny brown, a couple of teeny bows and yes....a brookie. I had heard the rumors...It's official. Approx 200 brookies were stocked as one range put it "to see if they would survive". See the pic for proof :) I would like to add the pics of the other fish but I'm having some major digital photo issues at the moment....somebody please help....no seriously, the site will not let me download more than 1 pic for some reason....help!
http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=2066&size=big

[TheEndlessEnigma]

AHEM what is that hanging out of its mouth? grrrrrrr

[spinboy]

It was legal. Get over it.

[kreekn]

AHEM what is that hanging out of its mouth? grrrrrrr


His handle is Spinboy,what would you expect?Catch em how you want guy.Thanks for the report BTW.

[chuckwagon]

I think the concern is that very few people know how to set the hook properly with that set up. Alot of fish,and I mean ALOT of fish have died due to the way most people catch and handle fish with the plastic worm rig. Most of the time the fish ends up swallowing the hook if it is not set in time. Then the process of working around the worm to find the hook to try to romove it. Handle time of the fish then becomes an issue as well.

Now that being said, I am sure that Spinboy knows this all to well and is surely not guthooking these fish and then trying to remove the hooks.

It is just a hard swallow whenever catch and release purist sees the P-worm hanging deep in the mouth of a fish in a strict catch and release stream such as Dukes.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the terminal tackle angler and satisfaction is all in the eye of the beholder.

There is alot done to keep all special regulated streams open and under restrictions for that reason. Lets just make sure we are all keeping tabs on each other to make sure we aren't doing unecessary harm to the fish.

A simple "sorry dude, but I know what i'm doing" answer is really all that is needed.

By the way,Nice catchin and glad to see a few brookies holding over.


Trey
CW

[MossyOak]

Looks like you two had a great day even though it was rainy, you definately are hardcore when it comes to the weather.
as for the wobbler head, when all else fails you throw whatever it takes to catch them, thats called working the flies & whatever else you think they will bite.
Some purist may think its wrong, but I guess simple minded people wont admit to a good day at the dukes..
way to go guys !
:D

[Bigfishbryan]

Cool. I'm glad they finally listened and decided to try some brookies. I made suggestions on the surveys when they first opened Dukes to try and see if some brookies would survive in the creek. The tributaries to Dukes way high up have some. I have caught some brookies down at Nacoochee bend at Jimmy Harris' place when they first opened it up. I'm sure if they'll survive that high of a water temp down there in the Hooch that they should make it in the cooler waters of Dukes. It would be really cool to catch some large brookies somewhere in Ga.

[skibum]

Ya, whats that in his mouth???....lol Dang Spinboy, go easy on my bro here.. He aint dis'n you on what your using, where the hell do you think i got the idea when I told you...lol And dont go thinking there's a problem with the short rod usage.. I just stocked up on $30 of spingeartrouttickle lures since my old stuff looks like crap and out of date...

Cant wait for those fella's to grow a little :)

[MossyOak]

well spinboy knows of a certain person that gives everyone a hard time when they use the wobbler head ( which by the way, is a dandy thing to have in your vest when all else fails ) well this certain fella has them in his vest as well... and has been caught with one on his hook a time or two.. :eek:

[trout4life]

Funny, now that I remember it was EE on Smith's about a year and half ago that mentioned something to me about using them. :D

I will say that you need to be very careful with them because the trout will swallow them if you are not fast/slow enough with a hook set depending on conditions.

[GonetoSeed]

"Some purist may think its wrong, but I guess simple minded people wont admit to a good day at the dukes.."

I'm not much of a purist, but I guess I'm simple minded. I share the concern over mortality rates from possible deep hooking with p-worms.

[S.Trutta]

I completely agree. i dont think spin fishing is wrong, i dont look down upon spin fisherman at all (i started as a spin fisherman myself, as most of us did), but i believe catch and release water, especially dukes, should be fly rod ONLY!! I know you guys know what your doing with those things and arent gut hooking all these fish, but the bottom line is the overall amount of stress and handling on these precious fish is greatly increased when using a technique like that compared to fly fishing. I heard from my father a few years back on smiths where a guy was fishing with those things, hooking fish after fish, most were hooked deep, and then chucking them back in dazed and confused. One fish came floating by him, and he went up to the guy and showed him the fish and read the usual riot act, when he said "ill fish however i want to, im not doing anything illegal" Illegal or not, more fish are harmed this way than fly fishing...i say if you wanna fish with a spinning rod than fish any of the other hundred+ streams that arent catch and release. They have the plan right up in NJ and NY as well as MI, catch and release water is also called "flies only water", meaning only fly rods and no fish can be kept.

Rich

[trout4life]

If that is the case then why not restrict streams to spin fishing only. I know some of you would love to have fly fish streams only but at what point does that stop and who decides? I pay just as much money as any other sportsmen out there and with public water getting smaller with every passing day I for one don't care to see more restrictions on where I fish in a "free" country.

Since Dukes is owned by the state then it will be up to them to decide whether or not to exclude one fisherman over the other. I wonder what Mr. Smithgall would have to say on restricting certain fisherman over others.

I grew up in this state and have fished many waters that are now private. I started out with corn, worms, and anything else that might entice a trout. That is the way my father fished and what we used back then.

Just my opinion on the matter.

[GonetoSeed]

S Trutta - do not misunderstand my opinion. My concern is not with spin versus fly. Numerous studies have shown it is the hook penetration location that increases mortality, regardless of lure, fly or even bait. My concern is with p-worms and not spinners or spin fisherman. Lures - or "flies" -that are more often aggressively injested increase the probablitity of a deep hook set in the throat. The reason some of the lures/"flies" are so effective for the catching part of C&R is because of the fishes reaction and take. That's why the cautions expressed about hook setting. Unfortunantely, they are not always effective for the release part of C&R, if the goal is to release the fish with the lowest probablity of post-release mortality. imo, they rub right up on the line of the spirit of C&R, if not the letter. I would feel the same way if they were being high-sticked on a fly rod.

[chuckwagon]

Trout you are absolutely correct. You should have the same right to stream access as flyrodders do.

Go and lobby for it and if you get enough support more power to ya!

I would gladly see spin only artificial lures single barbless for spin only!

It would only help the resources.


Trey
CW

[S.Trutta]

I agree that the type of lure/fly is more important that fly/spin. I really dont have a problem with spinners or rooster tails or whatever. The problem is, if its just listed as an artificial only stream, then all the other junk...ie wobblerheads, rubber worms, etc. are fair game and are hurting the fish that the state is going out of there way to protect. If protecting the fish is the goal of the stream, then implementing a "flie only" regulations nips that in the bud for the most part. Any and pretty much all of the northern streams that have catch and release regs where I am from is "flies only" and there have been no problems at all.

Rich

[spinboy]

I won't disagree at all that bad hook sets could be a problem. I did make one bleed but it was hooked in the lip so it wasn't the hook set....In my experience if you pay as much attention to a p-worm as a fly, it's not a problem. Some folks may have a tendency to throw one out there and let it sit like corn and I can see that being a problem on C&R streams. I set the hook as fast with one just as I would for a dry fly for that reason. If I miss the fish..oh well, he'll be there next time instead of being dead.

NO WAY should any public water be restricted to fly-fishing only. I can see requiring certain sized mono or rod strength but beyond that absolutely not. I would also like to know what Mr. Smithgall thinks, not that he should have a lot of say because a gift is a gift. Here's a thought: Since hunting safety is a requirement, why not fishing safety? (for the fishes' sake of course). It would be a terribly short class.....

When I saw this thread flare up I thought rod strength was going to be the issue. I've run into that before when someone told me it wasn't a good idea to use a 3wt there. In any case my 1/32 oz spinning rod held up against 2 6 pound wild trout in a relatively short fight that wouldn't have hurt the fish. It's not a "Wal-mart special", it's actually a custom made lamiglas rod that is a lot tougher than a Shakepspeare. So don't assume that I am not very aware of how to handle the fish with that setup. I've become a total C&R all barbless kind of guy and I don't want to see them killed either. I'm going to try to go back in and post the pics of those beauties now.

[S.Trutta]

I agree with you Spinboy, and i never said that YOU were fishing it like corn and killing fish. Im just saying, some people inevitably will do that, and there the problem arises. I like your idea on rod strength, sometimes people try to use such lightweight rods on waters with big fish that they tire the heck out of the big boys before they get them in. I personally like a 5wt, and will occasionally will fish my 4 in lower water. Anyone else have any input on thsi topic, which weights you like to use etc.

Rich

[trout4life]

Sad to say but all are going to end up on the bottom one day becoming fertilizer for something else in the food chain. Now if I or someone else hasten that process then let their conscience be their guide.

With that being said if you are so concerned about the mortality or death of the fish then why are you fishing in the first place? Do we really know 100% if the fish feels pain? Are you sure 100% that every fish you/someone releases with a fly is not going to die in the next 24/48 hours? Maybe you should join with PETA. :D

As for restricting streams to certain types of flies/fisherman. Going with your train of thought then all the DH streams should be barbless/flies only as well.

[spinboy]

Thanks to Hawgleg for the info on the site to use.......These pics do not do the colors of these fish justice, especially the sandy one. That fish I landed very quickly and he didn't want to hold still so I just took a quick pic and let him go.

http://mail.presby.edu/Redirect/tinypic.com/ofo9b8.jpg

http://mail.presby.edu/Redirect/tinypic.com/ofo8zq.jpg

http://mail.presby.edu/Redirect/tinypic.com/ofo8r6.jpg

http://mail.presby.edu/Redirect/tinypic.com/ofo8ic.jpg

[S.Trutta]

Most of what you just said there made 0 sense. Regulations are in place to help protect fish. Of course all fish, just like anything alive, will die one day. Even when fly fishing, im sure some fish that are released die, but that percentage is far less than spin fishing using soft plastic baits. Saying they will die eventually anyway is like me shooting you dead with a gun, and then saying, well, he would have died in 50 years anyway. Why have regulations in place at all? I fish because i love to be outdoors and i love catching fish, but i like to do so in a way that ensures that MOST, not ALL, fish will be released unharmed to live another day. PETA are a bunch of whackos, and to relate what im saying to their beliefs is ridiculous. Bottomline...if you want special regs to get more/bigger/more wild fish than keep the pladtic baits out...PERIOD. As for fish feeling pain....they dont, they lack a neocortex therefor they feel no pain (thank you shorter college icthyology class)

Rich

[Windknot]

but I'd remind folks that if plastic baits pose a hazzard to trout, the fact that this is Dukes Creek, one of the most intensely managed streams in the SE, it will be remedied by DNR/WRD.

And surely I'm not the only fly chunker to find my nymph too far down a gullet to retrieve!
Don

[trout4life]

I am sure there are statistics somewhere that detail the death rates of plastic vs. flies that support your opinion but the hookset is not the only thing that can mortally stress the fish. Taking the fish(most) out of the water is like putting us under without a regulator/snorkel.

As for zero sense, comparing a fish to a human being doesn't make too much sense to me unless that is what society is coming to. Killing a human is murder, killing a fish is not.

I also fish not for the fish alone but all the other things that go with it. As for the PETA statement, that was in jest hence the big grin attached.

How do you determine a plastic bait? Does that include any bait with plastic being used?

Thanks for the input on pain. One less thing to worry about. :)

[skibum]

Nice fish... The last one looks like it has teeth... :D

[Fish Gazer]

P baits

I can't use them, I tried before. I guthooked every fish I caught, forget about catch n release. My catch rates did go up, its a great bait, I am just not good enough at setting the hook. I have no problem with anyone else using them, it just did not make any sense for me personally if I was practicing C&R.

Does a San Juan do the same?

Tight Lines

Jeff

[GonetoSeed]

I am not aware of any studies that isolated p-worms and trout mortality. There may be. There have however been a number of studies of Bass mortality. This one did track type of lure or bait, hook penetration area and mortality. http://www.seagrantfish.lsu.edu/resources/factsheets/catch_release.htm

If there is a direct correlation between Trout and Bass mortality rates and throat hooked fish while using p-worms I do not know. However, if the rates for Trout are 50% or even 25% of those of Bass then the mortality rate would be significantly higher than those associated with the more commonly used Trout tactics - spin or fly. And I assume, higher than the average Trout angler associates with C&R. Too high to use p-worms? That would be a personal decision based on the priority for having a good day on Dukes. Or until controlled studies confirm or negate the p-worm factor and policy and regulations are changed or not.

Windknot - I understand what you are saying. But given the workload of our DNR officials and priorities when the Legislature is in session (especially it appears this year), sometimes it takes a while for studies to be conducted and policy and practice, not to mention politics, to catch up.

[chuckwagon]

Gazer,
I could only imagine the Juan worm doing the same if it was dangled below you and allowed the fish to hit at it for 2 1/2 minutes before the hook was set? :D
I have and do on occaision use the san juan as an attractor on a double nymph rig. I have not had a problem with trout ingesting the juan worm.

I am sure it happens though?


Trey
CW

[Fish Gazer]

Chuckwagon

Ya noticed the name didn't you...Gazer. A couple of years ago we were fishing for submarines using large stone flys. The other guys I was fishing with were yelling all day about how long my strike indicator was under while I was looking at the birds, the snakes, whatever. It might have been 3 minutes. LOL


Jeff

[chuckwagon]

I love it!
I really wasn't implying anything ;)

Trey
CW

[dblhaul]

Dukes IS barbless. I had no idea that they were stocking brookies on the lower sections..Wonder why that section water was chosen and not the skinnier, upper section of 1 ? Something for the browns to eat?

[jamessig]

Do you think that you can catch and release a fish an infinite number of times? Eventually C&R will result in mortality. A couple dozen catches and releases are about the maximum that any given trout will survive. Is the death of one fish or one dozen one even one thousand the end of the trout fishing world? Simply by fishing, every angler kills fish and contributes to the eventual death of all the fish he or she catches.
Does flyfishing have a lower mortality rate than spinning? Yes. Does that make a flyfisherman a better person than a spinfisherman? Not hardly. Is the exclusion of a significant percentage of anglers from being able to enjoy a particular stretch of water the best management plan for the resource? I don't think so. In any event, the percentage of anglers who spinfish on Dukes, from my observations, is exceedingly small. Excluding spinfishers wouldn't have a meaningful impact other than to alienate that group.

Anyone who is genuinely concerned about the future of fishing is on my side regardless of which style they prefer. I don't think excluding people from fishing opporunities is good for the sport of fishing. I think more opportunities will hopefully result in more people taking up fishing to begin with. And if they learn to enjoy fishing, perhaps they will become concerned with issues that threaten the future of fishing such as loss of habitat. That is of much greater concern than what sort of equipment someones chooses to use.

[chuckwagon]

Jamessig, you are on the money except for the C&R part. Fish can be caught and released an infinite number of times and still survive. Fish have been caught and released on the Madison, H.Fork for longer than I have been fishing. Those fish reach the age of 5-10+ yrs old. I can assure you when the salmon fly hatch hits the madison in july there are millions of fish caught and released in about a 2 -3 week period. That ain't no BS either. I would have to say the almost every fish in the San Juan River(trophy section) . Is caught dozens of times in a spring/summer season.

Yes fish are gonna die, but they don't have to if they are handled correctly.These fish can be caught and released to live anotherday.

Look at Dukes right Now. Fish are spawning!! I garauntee most of those fish have been caught and released!

I also know fish are spawning on Waters as well. Give em a chance and they will show us how its done.


Other than that all fishers ARE equal.


Trey
CW

[jamessig]

I stand by all of my statements Trey. There is a finite number of times that a fish can be caught and released and survive. The number differs for each fish and it's circumstances. Obviously there are a lot of factors that influence survival, where the fish was hooked, how long it was fought, water temp, weather, certainly the care the angler took during release, the general health of the fish before catch, available forage, water quality, length of time between catches, post catch infection and myriad other factors. Being caught stresses fish and being caught repeatedly will eventually result in death.

[S.Trutta]

chuckwagon is correct, james thats not true. I did a seminar presentation at shorter college looking at this very isuse. The only time fish dont make it is when they are mishandled and abused, such as using pworms. If they are caught correctly, handled with care, and released once fully revived, the death rate is so low it doesnt even really factor in. If you want to argue that, call and talk to the University of Montana Wild Trout Lab that i worked with for 2+ years on that and collecting data and research on whirling disease.

Rich

[mattbowers]

i think spin fisher man are inferior to flyfisherman.

[chuckwagon]

Matt, you gotta point there :D

Trey
CW

[chuckwagon]

I want to make in known that I am by no way a flyfishing purist. I love the fly and do more of it know then ever. But I will garauntee when I can't get a striper to eat a fly I grab the Terminal gear out and do what it takes to bend the rod!!

I grew up bassin with a baitcaster and theres nothin finer than a slow roll spinnerbait bite in 20 ft water.

Just so we all understand each other.

My life motto is this " You can't BS this BS'er"

As long as its bent I like it!

Trey
CW

[jamessig]

" If they are caught correctly, handled with care, and released once fully revived, the death rate is so low it doesnt even really factor in."

No matter how low the mortality is for each catch and release, multiplied by a sufficient number of catches, that small probability becomes reality.

[skibum]

I know cause i've lost a $15 lure of Trey's.. Course it was after midnight and well you know... ;)

[S.Trutta]

bottom line is, if you fish in a way that is the least harmful to the fish, whether that be barbless flies or spinners, they have a much better chance of survival than if deep hooked with something like a p worm. if you dont care about killing fish and are un-willing to change the way you fish, then go to any one of the other stocked streams where its legal to kill and keep fish. I have no problem with people killing and keeping fish in stocked steams, but to go to regulated water and kill fish because of ignorance... and then to justify its ok is ridiculous. did you do any studies on survival rates? did you talk to any professionals and PhD's who do stuff like this for a living? these guys no more about this subject than either of us do, and i was just paraphrasing what they told me and what i studied. just because you want something to be true to make what your doing seem ok doesnt work

Rich

[chef]

i spin and fly fish ,sometimes on the same day and same river. and several times caught trout while spin fishing with a busted tippit hanging out of its mouth and the head end of a wolly bugger ,or stone fly stuck in its gullet .it happens when fishing. were not all perfect.

[mattbowers]

oh yeah......i was just kidding, trying to get a rise out of people.....didn't seem to work, chuck, i appreciate the support, i agree with you too!

[trout4life]

Nice fish Spinboy. Sorry for the hijack of the thread. As for plastic worms and changing, well. As for dead fish, in the last year don't remember any dying on me after getting hooked by the "deadly" plastic worm. ;)

I do care about killing fish and only kill when I get hungry for the taste of fresh trout over an open campfire.

Never done any studies on mortality. Have done some reading on it.

Last, enjoyed your website. One question. You say you practice 100% catch and release but the first photo is a dead fish(or one on the way to the freezer/taxidermist). I did read the story and understand that the fish didn't make it after the fight. Were you using plastic? :rolleyes:

Anyways, hope to make it to Dukes or Waters sometime in the future and try my new barbless hooks.

[mattbowers]

Wait......i did, it worked, sweet!

[jamessig]

"but to go to regulated water and kill fish because of ignorance."
All trout waters are covered by regulations which I abide by. Insulting my intelligence because we have differing opinions is not helpful in this discussion.

"did you do any studies on survival rates?"
No, but I have read the results of several studies on the subject.

"did you talk to any professionals and PhD's who do stuff like this for a living?these guys no{sic} more about this subject than either of us do"
Yes, all the time. I am very interested in this subject. In addition to research on the internet, I ask questions of all the fisheries professionals I meet. And I listen to what they say.

"and i was just paraphrasing what they told me and what i studied."
I think you must not have been paying attention. Do you still believe that a trout can be caught an unlimited number of times? Your answer to that question will provide insight to your intelligence.

"just because you want something to be true to make what your doing seem ok doesnt work"
That works both ways.

[TheEndlessEnigma]

It was legal. Get over it.
chill out ... it was a joke i am notorious for using them too

[TheEndlessEnigma]

His handle is Spinboy,what would you expect?Catch em how you want guy.Thanks for the report BTW.
see above statement

[S.Trutta]

james, are you not understanding what im saying at all? The point im making is that catching fish on a fly or on a spinner is going to result in an overall lower mortality rate than using something like a p worm. If you deny that then you just dont have the sense to converse with. For this reason, i think those types of baits should be off limits on dukes and the other DH streams during their special regs season. Its not discriminating against anyone, its making a better experience for any angler who visits the stream. I think alot goes into the survival of a fish after it is caught, and I agree that sometimes due to water conditions, size of the fish, lenght of fight etc. that a fish can die even when the angler has done everything right. The goal of a catch and release angler is to catch and handle a fish in a way that gives them the best chance to survive another day. Anything other than that is wrong and defeats the entire purpose of having these special regulations.

Rich

[trout4life]

Strutta,
How is it a better experience for any angler when you exclude some of the so called angling population? If they are following regulations then the LAW is to decide who fishes there and with what not some other angler(unless it's private property). In fact you are discriminating against a certain type of bait because of your personal opinions/reliable data on the subject. Are you sure 100% of that data? You aren't 100% sure of catch and release with the big DEAD fish on your website.

I see you finally answered my question regarding other DH streams which according to you should be flies only.

[spinboy]

The ranger actually said, for those still paying attention, that the brookies were stocked in few places including sec 1, not just down in 3 and 4.

MattB,

I haven't looked at the thread for a while and when I saw your comment about spinfishers being inferior I almost blew my lid but I kept reading....so yeah, it worked.

Toot Toot Toot STrutta! Toot Toot! That's you tooting your own horn if you couldn't tell....

[S.Trutta]

I didnt say flies only for the DH water, i just said no soft plastic baits that fish will swallow. This means that spinners and other lures of that nature are fine. Heres a question for you...if its discriminating to tell spin fisherman they cant use plastic baits, then why isnt the DH water itself discriminating to the folks who want to keep the fish they catch? They pay the same license fee that everyone else does, so why cant they use the same argument? As for the dead fish on my webpage, you saw my post on that. I have been in GA for almost 6 years now and that is the one and only fish that i have kept. I caught it with a fly rod, with a legal fly, and get the fish within the slot limits, so there should be no argument there. This is completely different from killing a fish from catch and release waters. The only other fish I have kept since ive been fly fishing (10+ years) was a spawned out steelie that was in pitiful shape and wouldnt have made it two minutes if i had released him.

Rich

[S.Trutta]

hahahaa good one

[S.Trutta]

Lets just end this thread already. The same argument has been going on, and its clear we butt heads here and neither of us are going to convince the other of anything.

Rich

[jamessig]

http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39739&referrerid=9427

The death of that fish that day was due in no small part to your mishandling.

[S.Trutta]

now i know why this was such a problem.....that wasnt me. You can believe me or not, thats up to you, but that wasnt me. Apparently you arent the guy who was doing wrong at smiths when i was there. I didnt help the guy at all, i caught a few of his fish downstream a ways and revived them myself. I confronted him and held up one of the dead fish i was unable to revive and thats when he started to give me an attitude. This took place directly below the spillway in the upmost part of the DH water. Any thoughts from you on this......

Rich

[jamessig]

All the facts fit including location. Your recall of the incident seems to be fuzzy. I think an account written the day after the incident is going to be more accurate than anyone's recall nearly three years later. You act like you've never seen that thread. I E-mailed it to you yesterday.

[S.Trutta]

Ok, heres a question for you....how old was the "fish killer".


Rich

[reviveourhomes]

Oh great, another one of thesee threads....

This site is going to Hell in a handbag really quick!

[S.Trutta]

one last point that it wasnt me...I was emailing my wife, telling her about this thread, and here is what she emailed back to me.

"I think this is just a case of misunderstanding each other and jumping to conclusions. Quite frankly, it couldn’t have been you. Look at the date of his original post….5-1-2003, not quite 3 full years ago.

1. He would have been fishing on a Wed. afternoon, April 30. We would have still been at school, probably taking finals.

2. Even if it had been you, your dad would have been with you because this was at the end of our sophomore year when your dad didn’t have a job, and every time you went fishing he was with you.'

I told you it wasnt me, and that means it wasnt you, so i apologize for this whole conversation because nothing even happened between the two of us.

Rich

[BeerDawg]

We'll set up a fight and all proceeds can be donated to Trout Unlimited. Of course I'd have to take a small cut for promoting it. :D

[mediaven]

It seems like virtually every thread I've read in the last several days has quickly eroded into personal affronts, name calling, etc.

It's natural to disagree -- and it is healthy to discuss things -- but would it be possible to do this in a civil way?

Not long ago, there was a thread about how to improve the NGTO experience. We even got into details about the green background color vs. some other color. It seems we need to back up a step.

I logon to this message board to learn more about fishing in North Georgia (spin, fly, noodling, whatever) and to enjoy other people's experiences. I would hope that the personal discussions, attacks, arguments be handled through some other media (email, PMs, late-night encounters, whatever).

Am I alone in this expectation, or is this something that members can agree on?

Thanks for your consideration.

[TroutTackler]

Alright, seriously guys. Do you want new people to get involved on this board? Do you want new people who have already taken the time to seek us out be turned away from this board and from possibly becoming coldwater conservationists in the future, all because you can't keep between the two of you what should only be said in private? This board is no place for a one-on-one showdown. That's why we have the option of private messaging one another. Knock yourselves out with that. Yell and cuss and scream all you want on pm, but don't bring it in front of the group and potentially in front of "newbies" interested in getting into the sport.

[jamessig]

Very few people fish for trout with plastic worms even today. Three years ago that number was even smaller. To think that another incident took place where all the details matched so closely, except for a single detail unremembered three years later, stretches the limits of incredulity. And that single detail conveniently "forgotten" places the blame almost wholly in your hands. But it's possible.
I fish. Occasionally I kill a fish unintentionally. It happens. It happens to all anglers sooner or later. It's just a part of fishing. I'm not looking at the world through rose colored glasses. Get off your high horse Trutta.
Despite S. Trutta's continued harranges against me, I never replied in kind. Despite his accusations, I have not said one word in defence of plastic worms. As a matter of fact, I haven't said anything here on the subject at all.
I won't lose any friends over this thread. I don't think Trutta made any.

[S.Trutta]

james, i put up an apology to end this thing, im not trying to continue anything. lets just end the thread, agree to disagree, and get back to discussing fishing. like most of us, i can loose me temper quick, say things in haste, and come across in a very negative way. lets just let this be and look forward to a weekend of fishing.

Agreed?

Rich

[whaley12]

" uh, so does the bathroom have a fan?"

[skibum]

:ghug: gotta say something more here to make a post... Ok i'm done now ;)

[mattbowers]

i think the backgroud should be blue, that would be nice!! this mint green is killing me!

[spinboy]

I wasn't talking about you tooting your horn as a fly fisherman....you figure it out....I'm done with this one

[mediaven]

So, Spinboy, nice photos and nice fish! Thanks for posting.

BTW, did you hear they are stocking Brookies at Dukes? :D

[mattbowers]

maybe a nice red?

[mediaven]

How about black? Then, the type would blend in and no one would get offended.....

[bugs]

http://www.cotrout.org/do_fish_feel_pain.htm

[dblhaul]

in a hot tub ..On the Cartecay..Just a guy trip..You know..To work this all out..In the words of CanyonKen,"Can Gink substitute as a lubricant"...

[Grizzz]

I have not kept up with this thread but I got an email that said I should take a look at it. I have mentioned before that everyone can argue any issue till you are blue in the face, but do not make it personal. There are a couple of posts that have definitely crossed the line. Maybe they were said in jest but that still is not acceptable. I am going to delete those threads.

Mediaven, you are right. It seems that everyone has a case of the "Shack Nasties" lately. Not sure why. Lets remember why we do all come here, to get knowledge and be with friends. Remember also the newbies that show up. We want to make sure they have a good experience here.

Now as to the green color of the board. I know a couple of you have wanted it changed but this color is our trademark. Has been around for a long time and will probably stay. Sorry we can't change everything. :(

[spinboy]

I guess you didn't feel like reading the whole thread and I don't blame you but I mentioned earlier that the ranger at Smithgall confirmed the stocking of those brookies after I told him I caught one.

[reviveourhomes]

Thats funny, spinboy, like there are really brookies in Dukes! :rolleyes:

[mediaven]

Actually, I did read the whole thing -- that was my attempt at humor (obviously very well-disguised) :)

Was just trying to lighten things up after the multiple posts in the middle.

Maybe we should make the background color .... Green! :D

[Richie27]

funny no brookies... ;) not too sure about that one

[duluthgator]

Sun's out. Let's forget this thread and everyone go fishing!

[reviveourhomes]

Man, Jamessig! Grow up and drop it already

[Grizzz]

Well I think this post has run its course. I am going to lock it now. What has happened on the board lately? It seems that many have gotten a case of the "Shack Nasties". Lets talk, fish and even argue issues but lets keep it civil. I know all of you can do that. There will always be different opinion on issues but let us not forget, in the end we all come here because we love to fish. So lets do more of that together.