In big rivers, I would agree with you Todd, but in small or slow rivers I believe it can make a real difference. Example : One day I was fishing a small hole with several steelies in it when a jerk walked up and started casting a tipped jig over the top of me at them. About the third cast one slammed his shrimp but he totally missed it. I drenched my jig in shrimp oil, cast in and the same fish nailed it. I had been tossing at them for a while and had no resonse. Another time I had one swimming by my jig and not paying attention. In desperation, I loaded it up with a few pautzkes, drenched it in shrimp oil, and tossed it into the back eddy I saw her swimming by in. A few seconds later she swam back around and slowly approached the jig, backed up and then slowly inched up and tapped the jig. Without scent I never had a second look. Saying scent doesnt matter is like saying bait isn't more effective at times. Just like everything, I believe it is an important tool that at times can really make a difference.