Here's how I deal with it...

First, I think that to be a valuable member of such a BB, you have to realize that it's all about give and take. The more you give up, the more you get back.

It doesn't have to be "in kind" give and take. Information about a place that makes good canvas boat covers is likely to be thanked with information about how much leader to use between your hoochie and flasher.

I'll post the occasional report, but it usually mentions everything except the exact spot, unless that exact spot is secret only to those who have never fished for steelhead in Washington.

I'm happy to share any information about techniques, gear, accessories, etc., and any general information about steelhead or steelhead behavior, for whatever it's worth.

The majority of the information that I share is stuff about the scientific, legal, and political issues surrounding steelhead management, since that's where my experience has been for the last several years. That information is generally given with no strings, except for fair and accurate conversations about the topics.

On those types of issues, I think the most important factor is that people DO NOT jump in with an inflammatory comment, then fade back into the woodwork. It's also important that everyone leave emotion and groundless opinion out of the conversation, unless they clearly note that what they're stating is either emotion talking or opinion with nothing other than emotion to back it up.

I also have found that if you want specific information about a particular river or spot, do a search and it's probably been spoken about already. If it hasn't, check the posts that have been made about a similar area or something else about that particular spot you're looking for. Choose a poster that may have the information you're looking for and shoot them off an e-mail. Tell them who you are and what you're looking for, and mention that you're doing it privately so as to not get anyone on the BB bent about passing out such "private" information.

I have not one time had someone refuse me information using the above technique, and have met a few new fishing partners who would rather show me than tell me about an area. That is usually followed up by a future fishing trip to one of "my" spots with that person.

Fish on...

Todd.