Fishbait:

Up until this year I was a trout angler, and that's it. Go out, catch a few 10" trout, and enjoy the surroundings. It was only when I started reading these boards that I got the nerve to give it a try again.

Again? Yeah, I tried it as a teen and wasn't very good at it. Caught 1 spawned steelhead and four springers on the Willamette. Figure dozens of trips with Dad into the mix and you'll see why I'd get disappointed. Trout are easy.

In March I was one of the first casualties of the dot com that I worked for. Somehow someone was looking over me and after filling out a crapload of paperwork in the application (essay questions, anyone?) I was able to get a job paying less than $35K a year. My wife stays home with the kids because if you take her earnings and subtract what daycare would be, then subtract taxes...it's not worth it. That and we had our kids for US, and not to be farmed out. Our decision, I know.

I forgot to mention BOE on a fishing trip this year, but I haven't gone so low that shad are a comprehendable food fish.

There, I've laid it out there for you just short of putting out my income and outgo like I was with a debt councellor. Trust me, I am evergrateful that I have a job in these times.

Oh, and check out www.fedworld.gov and go to the JOBS section. Amazing the number of jobs out there if you don't mind filling out a crapload of paperwork to apply for them.