Andy,

I respectfully disagree with you. This board is exactly what you, I, and every other contributor make it. Since you were here before user registration began in March 99, you surely remember how pathetic many of the rants and flamers were that caused Bob to limit participation to only those who would register. The quality of the BB content has been consistently higher since then. That doesn't make it perfect; nor does it make it a joke.

The value of an internet website is its content. A BB adds content to a website. The higher the quality of the BB content, the greater the overall value of the website. Bob can only do so much in making this BB available and moderating it, without censoring, its use. I certainly haven't seen all the fishing sites that are available, but of those that I have, this and one other are the only two I regularly visit. And the reason is because the sites' content has value.

As for the whiny and bitching posts and threads, these are such human characteristics you will find them on BB on virtually every kind of website on the net. They aren't restricted just to fishing. Wherever you go in life you'll find you're always going to have to sift the wheat from the chafe. It's kind of like you said, there's no free lunch. Use what you like; disregard the rest.

Thanks for being a regular participant. You're part of the quality of this board's content. And good luck in your tackle business!

Sincerely,

Salmo g.