As some of you may have noticed, I've added a new private forum today for the mods to discuss issues and bugs realting to the forums.

For some time, I've been toying with the idea of adding some new, more specific forums as the main board regulary fills up more than page of active topics daily and some more specific forums may make finding specific discusssions easier to find and may encourage more discussion on specific topics.

One idea is a fly-only board as we're seeing lots more fly-related posts over the past year. I envision a place for fly fishing discussion w/o the elitist attitude versus other angling methods that is often seen elsewhere (it's about having fun isn't it??).

I'd love any feedback on this idea, and perhaps other suggestions that the masses might have for forums that you would or would not like to see.

Thanks!!

I do not know how you could make this site even better!!!!!!!!!!! I do not even mess with any other fish'n sites any more. I think to improve would make it less better. The all in one theme makes it easier tto look at all the posts without clicking to other rooms.... Did I make sense..... argh!!!!!!

Bob,
How about a seperate forum for discussing your favorite hook?....j/k.
.
might be fun to have other titles on your name besides "returning adult" or "smolt"..somethng based on your participation or user number...

Thanks Randy ... that'll be available with the next update of the software that should be available at the end of the month. I've seen it in action with the beta versions and it is nice, but we have noticed some ugly bugs in the betas in use and we're waiting for final release before we do that.

Yep, you made sense Paul. Something I've liked too, but also though many fly anglers would be intimidated by posting on a board that is often dominated by gear anglers.

I agree with Paul, no change required. Like the old saying says, if it isn't broke don't fix it.

I like having everything lumped together myself.It adds a little variety without having to jump around the site.
I came to you guys with my fly fishing questions because I Knew that they would be answered by reel fisherman,not the select few that have the money to jump on the expensive fly fishing bandwagon,But have no idea how a fish thinks and have no plans of learning either.I am afraid that a fly fishing site would end up being these people.
I can see why you would want to break it up though.The bourd is very active and threads get burried pretty quick hence the same threads pop up i.e best hook or drift boat insurance!
You're site is the best and I think has helped alot of people add to there fishing experiences.

I'm pretty content with the board the way it is but if I were to offer an idea, it would be a pacific northwest hunting forum perhaps?? Even make it seasonal (Fall) if you want. Alot of us hunt birds/big game in addition to the fishing sickness.

I'm not sure it's out of place on a fishing site as fishing and hunting are intertwined anayway. If nothing else, it would be a great way for us to share info. on conservation, season and political issues.

Just an idea

DONT CHANGE IT MAN, DONT CHANGE IT

I'm pretty content with the board the way it is but if I were to offer an idea, it would be a pacific northwest hunting forum perhaps?? Even make it seasonal (Fall) if you want. Alot of us hunt birds/big game in addition to the fishing sickness.

I'm not sure it's out of place on a fishing site as fishing and hunting are intertwined anayway. If nothing else, it would be a great way for us to share info. on conservation, season and political issues.

Just an idea

Creating more specific forums creates dillution. This is a good thing if your main forum gets so much traffic that a day's worth of postings cannot fit on two pages, but if you dillute when it doesn't need it you end up losing that effective (if only occasionally volatile) mix that makes the site work.

Even Michelangelo had to look at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and decide that it was as good as it was going to get. Don't mess with a working combination, Bob. Just figure out a way to add another day to April.

I like the site the way it is because it's awesome. However I think that having a separate fly fishing forum might stimulate alot more fly fishing related discussion and maybe attract alot of fly fisherman (and women) to the site who otherwise may not partake in our great discussions of the best hook, and the ultimate egg cure! This is a great place and it's hard to improve on a good thing but change isn't always necessarily bad. The "First Annual Snoopy Challenge" killed me!

Hey Bob et al,

I'm a crossover fisherman - as you noticed the other day I'll pick up the spey rod one pool, then the gear rod the next.

I kinda like the "One Board" mentality - there are many great flyfishers I've run into on the rivers and online (SalmoG, Coot, etc) that either fish other methods or just enjoy a board that talks about steelheading. Since so many Steelheading issues are common to all, I think keeping a single board might not be a bad idea. It's great that a fly question often gets 5-6 replies and the poster doesn't feel left out.

My .02,

Brian

I tend to agree with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" idea, However I would guess that a lot of people particularly newer anglers ask a question that may get swept aside by more popular posts. I'd say if you do choose to add another forum it could be a forum specifically for asking questions about techniques and methods.
Or Possibly a boating page there seems to be a lot of boat talk going on too..

As a fly fisherman I don't see the need for a fly fishing specific forum.

Bob

This site is about fishing! Please don't split it up between fly fishermen and others. It's all about fishing! We need to see both sides, and their different points of view and each others "opinions". Like so many have already said; if it isn't broken, don't fix it!

Please leave it the way that it is. Why divide us more then we already are?

Thanks again for all that you have done, and have attempted to do.

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????

So far the concensus is "Don't change the board"
and I agree with that. I'm getting into fly fishing more, but still enjoy this forum the way it is, because I also enjoy all the other fishing methods too.

The only change I can think of, that might help, would be some way of drawing new people to the "search" feature for topics, so that we don't keep getting the same "Best hook,line and sinker" questions all the time. Perhaps when someone new registers there could be a necessary link to a topics list?

Bob, Maybe a forum regarding conservation/habitat issues along with volunteer opportunities to get involved. A forum for meetings or general announcements etc would be helpful. These topics tend to get swept down rather quickly on the regular use forum because there is usually no need to respond. How about an angler education section?

I'm gonna chime in with DH...

First, I wouldn't add a page that is specific to a type of fishing. It would keep some folks from missing a great topice that was posted on one board but not visited because "I don't fish that way".

Secondly, I am in full agreement with DH that a board dedicated to announcements for river cleanups, organizational meetings/projects, WDFW rule changes, etc., would be useful. As DH noted, they're important topics, but they get shoved off the board fast due to the absence of any need to respond to it and put it back to the top. With a dedicated forum they would be up longer.

The only other forum I would go with would be one where the moderators immediately put any topic involving sleds vs. drift boats vs. bank fishing, flyfishing vs. gear fishing, snagging and lining, favorite hooks, lamiglas vs. loomis, or Ford vs. Chevy...

Make sure whatever you do add actually adds to the experience of being here. I don't think a fly only page would do that.

Thanks for the great site...

Fish on...

Todd.

I am with the others in regards to a bugrod forum...the forum is excelling as it is and I think breaking it apart will create seperation and limit who reads what. I enjoy everything being lumped together...

i actually think there is reverse elitism. mostly gear guys saying that fly guys are elitist. never heard a fly guy put down a gear guy.

release em.

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: Jumbo ]

I second the motion on hunting. You could just create a single "hunting" forum or divide it among birds, big game, and them rascally varmits.

Not to be bashing any other boards, but it would give me a reason to stop headin' south of the border for my hunting fix.

I enjoy the posts from our southern bretheren(sp?), but there are lots of folks here who hunt, and updates from a primarily Washington community of posters would be welcome.

Marty, aka smiles4u (I think that's his moniker here) has a "community chat" where non fishing related topics get moved to. It makes it nice for folks who want to avoid the bashing that "never takes place here" , or conversely a place where folks who missed General Hospital yesterday a place to catch up on who's dissin' who. Just make sure you invest in popcorn futures.

I agree with most folks who say keep it simple, but just a little more variety would be nice. Thanks for asking!

Andy

Another vote for no separate fly fishing forum, and I'm an avid flyfisherman. Dave's point about too many forums is spot on. If you get too many, each one gets 2 posts a week, and they wither and die. This is what happens in the specialty groups in Usenet. The current volume of posts is what makes this forum interesting.

I don't know if the software can handle it, but it would be nice if the threads and subthreads could be visible, ala what the Virtual Flyshop has. See www.virtualflyshop.com/bulletin/

The essence of success for a community is participation and activity, both of which exist here. I'd be cautious about dividing any of that.

I'll bet the software allows for increasing the page size, or number of currently displayed posts, which would address one of the concerns discussed.

I think that it is good as it stands. I go to a few other sites for info also. I like to fly fish also but don't add another link. I get what I want from here. Jim S.

Keep it simple is what I say. I don't like a use
and them type of forum. I like to shop around a find what interest me. I want to have my choices
in one place so that I can compare them with my
needs. If I see a thread is fly related, it could
interest me or the same if its gear related. I am
primarily a gear fisherman but by having threads
relating to fly fishing I gain more knowlege about
fly fishing. I still believe most fisherman are
still gear fisherman. There are sights that are
more fly fishing oriented and they just don't have
that down to earthness this site does. Its is easier to qualify as a steelheader or just a plain
fisherman if you use gear. Its a lot cheaper and
better understood. This forum has made people feel
qualified and welcome because of the similarities and not the differences. I say let the threads fall where they may so we can continue to enjoy
this forum. Fly fishing sponsors will welcome
the opportunity to find groups of fly fisherman
to show there goods. The majority on this board
don't buy $600 fly reels and $700 fly rods. That
sort of gives it and elitess feel. If they would
reach out to the gear fisherman and support the
site in totality I would be glad to check out
there adds.Its OK to tweek a few thing but be
carefull when you move us around. Some of us are
stuborn and old school.

FLY FISHING SUCKS!! WE don't want their kind on this board! Next they'll want to move in next door to us! JUST KIDDING!! I fly fish also and I suck at it, that's why I stick mainly to "Gutt Slinging" Seriously, I like PappaFish's idea about a topics lists, say the top 5? Keep it small. Something easy to click to. Add WFDW updates and special rules? I guess your trying to slow this forum down alittle? Topics get pushed to page two real fast don't they? I use the "search" for topics but don't like to because it's too time consuming (like most we only have one phone line) and I perfer the interaction. I'd like to see more action at Lakes.com. Fly Fishing, ect. But in a nutshell, this is an awesome board and I'm on it every night.

Bob, first of all THANKS for a great BB. No specific advice here. In fact, the general tone of the board makes it great. I can read anything from egg, to anchors, to rods and broads - woops, I really haven't seen much broad stuff. Keep up the good work. If I ever get a chance to fish the OP, you'll be the first guy I call.

along the same line with Randy--possibly a thread on where to find backer rod? This could really take off.

I enjoy the site as it is. Wouldn't add a separate fly fishing forum. Then, plunkers might demand their own place for discussing issues and innovative techniques I would second the motion for a general discussion forum where most of the non-fishing topics could be posted. Recent topics such as "Shoot the dog..." and "Sergio..." would fit well in such a forum. A Ford board I visit has a general discussion area and it is heavily used. Thanks for all your work on the site, Bob.

[ 01-16-2002: Message edited by: CedarR ]

Make the sports topics a seperate forum, after all this is a fishing page, if I want sports I'll go over to ESPN.

make a "say what" section like they have on gamefishin.com for peoiple to talk about other things besides fishing. not that ayone would want to but its a thought.
tyler

Please no "Open Community Forum" board. I don't have time to make an a$$ out of myself on more than one board at a time.
Stew

This board rocks! It's your call Bob but don't change anything for me. And thanks for asking.

Excellent site!!! No need to re-invent the wheel..it's still round.

I agree with Stew. You don't want him talking in an Open Community Forum

~ Dr Pepper

If it ain't broke......I came to this board a few months ago and was surprised and delighted to find a board where fishermen talk to other fishermen.....not flyfishermen to flyfishermen or some other subgroup. The people on this board are capable of more than one thing and that's a huge plus. I suppose one might call this board integrated or diverse and I think that's a plus. After all, you don't have to click on a certain subject if you don't want to. I also like having conservation subjects on this board. I think it promotes awareness of the issues. Incidently, I'm not visiting the fly-only site I used to participate on as much lately.

I would also like to vote for "if it aint broke don't fix it"

Tight Lines

Paul

Thanks for all the input everyone .. the tribe has spoken

Looks like I'll leave the main board as planned and add two: a hunting section as many are involved in both activities; and an announcements area ... something I had thought might be nice as the board is active enough that topics get buried easily.

Don't think I'll make a "Community Chat" area as I like having a little mix in the main board every so often to keep things a little more lively.

Any thoughts?? Thanks!!!

You have my permission to continue on with the above-listed changes.

Hi Bob: I may have missed the cutoff point but will add my 2C worth.
Ive only been here a short time but I`m impressed with this board.
I offer only one suggestion :p ost all threads to a single board,however when a thread reaches the bottom of the board segregate them into topics on individual boards. This would make searching for a particular area of intrest ;easier. To spare you the work of segregating messages ;each person initiating a thread would be expected to classify it into whatever catagories you might wish to maintain.
Its a great board Bob Keep it up.
coot