Here comes the reverend Hawk on his pulpit. I agree with Fishgal. It's time for everyone to quit living in the past and using history as a crutch to not motivate yourself to achieve your goals. It's a deep rooted social issue, that sadly won't go away in any of our lifetimes. Bottom line is that every one of us have to accept personal responsibility for our actions. You are the only one who controls it. We have to stop looking for help from everyone else, grab our selves by both cheeks, and get to getting on with it.

Number wise, our fishing is better in the Midwest, although there is a heavy price to pay for it. Lot's of rivers with elbow to elbow fisherman. Not a lot of opportunities for a "newby" to learn without stepping on someone elses toes. You have to put up with a lot of [Bleeeeep!] to catch fish, but it's still worth it to me. There have been dozens of occasions where I have wanted to make someone blow bubbles, but it won't solve a thing. All you can do is try to "inform" people as to what is grating on you. I've made a lot of friends by talking to guys who originally were P*ssing me off, only to find out they were looking for some help, and were afraid to ask. No one likes to struggle.

None of us own the rivers, so we have to learn to get along. The "Save the Gay Whale" foundation is looking for every opportunity to take our hunting and fishing rights away. Don't give them the ammunition to do it.

We aren't ever going to hold hands on the river bank and sing "Cumbaya", but there isn't any reason to call people feather heads, and say you hate people, you don't even know. We all have our flaws, just part of being human.

I'm not a deeply religous person, but remember the only "perfect" person got hung on a cross. Not much reward in being perfect, is there?

I'm off the pulpit now.

Hey HoHawain! If you want to engage in some combat fishing, shoot me an e-mail, and we'll go fish with the Drones in Milwaukee. Rivers are narrow, and you need more than a rock. I think a couple of crusty old steelheaders could make it fun. Just ask Robbo. Tight lines