stlhd_dreaming:

I too enjoy reading good stories about fishing trips, successes, etc. Fact is (and I hate to say this) the Internet is a place where lots of folks look for info on where, when, etc. to fish.

It is frustrating for someone to spend, literally, years learning a particular stretch of water and where the fish hang-out at high, low, colored, clear water, etc. and then, just because they shared this precious spot on the web to return there and find oodles of fishermen stomping all over it. That is a lot of effort and expense to pursue their favorite game fish. I for one would never jump on anyone for sharing info, but likewise would certainly respect a persons right to keep their "zipperlip" to themselves. They earned it.

Personally, I have never yet held back on providing what little info I could about where I fish...most folks know I spend 90% of my time in the back yard, and I never made any bones about exactly where that was. Since I have been posting here I have met a BUNCH of great fishermen, and have yet to see one floating past the yard.

From my experiences so far, the only way to truly get out and find those "money holes" is to put out the effort personally. Heck, I have seen folks drift right by some of the best spots on the Skagit, only to then spend time flogging dead water where only suckers and smolt live. (But had not a few knowledgeable folks [from this board] taught me the differences I probably wouldn't have known either!)

Best suggestion? Now that your home, be active on the boards. heck, I have only been on this place a few short months but have racked up a bunch of posts...and by participating have learned, learned about, and put into practice (with some success!) so many tips, pointers and suggestions for newbies to river fishing that I'm in the process of putting it all into a book, meant for rookies.

There will not be any zipperlips spoken of in its pages, however...as that is one of the fruits of ones angling labor and the proof of growing in the knowledge of the quarry we seek.

Mike B

BTW: THANKS for your service in Iraq.