With all the friendly banter going on the Flotilla thread, I was interested to hear what other bb members think of fishing competitions and if they are good for fishing. My opinion is that an organized fishing competition on a crowded river is drag for others fishing the river and is reserved for egos, but, hey, that's my opinion- that & $.02 might get you the styrofoam cup, but no coffee. I would be disappointed to see salmon/steelhead fishing turned into something of a bass tournament. Open water salmon derbies seem a hair more tolerable, but on a river it seems ugly.

Even though there is a little trash talking (which is all for fun) I think the flotilla is a great way for all people of the forum to get to meet each other, all in one outing. To organize something where everyone is fishing for fun and making friends is great. I look forward to meeting a lot of the people on this board (ESPECIALLY 4x4). Think of it this way, it's a better way to better yourself and learn from those that are experienced, even if you think you know everything.. Bringing people from other regions, states, etc. to one place to share knowledge.. I like it.
Keith

[ 09-10-2001: Message edited by: stlhdr1 ]

I think that informal competition between friends is a good thing. It helps to build comraderie, and strengthen the bonds of good friendships, and maybe even make a few new ones. As long as everyone obeys the regs, and goes along with some basic rules of ettiquete, I have no problem.

Snagging, barbed hooks, mishandling fish and unsafe conduct should not be tolerated at any time, and I believe that folks who attend Flotilla III will do their best to be good citizens while on the river. The gathering afterwards is a whole other story.

I plan on learning a lot from the folks at this event, and putting some faces with the handles on this board. I have met 4 of the members from this board, and they were all very good experiences for me, hopefully these folks feel the same. I learm something from every experience, and I believe that these gatherings are a great opportunity to share what we know.

Andy

I noticed there are alot of guys in here trying to make it to the "fishing hall of fame."

Fishing competitions are bull sh** in my book, especially in rivers... Its all about goin out and having fun, not ego tripping to see how many fish your worth.

I agree with kieth on this one. Its all in fun and NOBODY knows more than everybody! I just feel sorry for the guys that have to fish behind us young bucks when we're say 45-50. If I can even row a boat by then, if not I can just be lazy and boondog like those guys down south. jk

420 all the time!

I think that the word competition is not intended for lets say the Flotilla III it seems that it is just a reason for a bunch of BB members to get together and fish. At least that is what I first thought. But the big time bragging seems to have changed that. I can catch fish and help folks get fish also. But I can not go up against a guy with a power boat that can drift through a hatchery hole 100 times. Come on give me a break. Competition is not bad do not get me wrong. But it must be apples for apples. In my case I fish from a drift boat no going back up river to try again. Also if the competition promotes a good cause lets go for it. Just for egos I do not know. I have learned that stepping on toes is not a good thing. Just my .02 cents worth. Fishing should be fun and no one should go away feeling not so good.

I beleive it is more for comraderie than about bragging rights. Bankwalker, I don't think anyone on either of the 2 earlier Flotillas will enter the fishing hall of fame you mention. If I remember correctly less than 10 total fish have been caught between the two Flotillas combined. I do however think most "competitors" had fun. If you feel they are B.S. because you fish the bank and have 15 boats go by where you are fishing, I can understand that. The Satsop probably wouldn't be where I would bank fish October 6th, unless I was joining in the Flotilla activities.

Small derbies are a blast. Last year the Sky Valley Chapter of TU had a chum derby on the Snohomish system that was open to everyone, members and non-members alike. $150 first place prize. No big deal. Had about 30 people enter, some from this board, and everybody had fun. This year we are going to do it again on September 29 but the target species is coho this time. $150 for largest fin-clipped coho, $100 for largest overall coho wild/hatchery. It’s a good time to target a day for every one to meet and I don’t think a $150 first place prize is going to bring out the hoards.

Beezer

Sounds like some of us are just a little uptight. Nobody is going to win a new bass boat, or pick up a $50,000 check at this floatilla. It's all for fun, and an opportunity to meet new people. Smack gets talked, but nobody takes it seriously.

As far as inconveniencing other anglers....who cares? We have every bit as much right to be there as anybody, so why shouldn't we do it? Fish the Wynoochee that day if you want to avoid the crowds.

This isn't a competition, it a get-together. There's no sponsorship waiting for you if you outfish everyone, and nobody is going to kick you off the "team" if you don't catch fish. Geez, lighten up. Show up and have some fun, and enjoy a day of fishing. If your skin is too thin for some smacktalking, maybe another river would be a better choice.

Settle down guys. The Floatilla's are just for fun.

There should be no "prizes" or give aways.

I for one, have had enough salmon to last the rest of the year. Regardless of what, or if, I catch, I won't be keeping anything.

I'm more interested in shooting the crap and meeting you all. Most of the people I've met from the BB are good people.

Come to the Floatilla to have some fun, or just don't show up.

Parker

Every time I enter a derby (I've only done saltwater ones), I never catch any fish... just my luck.

-N.

Norman,

Chances are if you didn't buy a derby ticket, you would catch the big one. I have seen that happen a number of times at Westport.

I got lucky, once, and got the big fish of the day with a 27 pound king. I bought beer an pizza for the guys I went fishing with, and ended up paying for my trip.

Andy