The true worth of this forum.....

[North Country Angler]

Those of us who have been members of this forum for a few years have a tendency to moan about it a bit now - too many bullsh*tters, not as intimate as it was, same old same old.......but I'm going to have a bit of a love-in here, because the past week has brought it home to me just how much of a positive effect this place has had on my life.

Last week, a bunch of us got together for our annual forum buddies meeting. Scratch did the organising and other attendees were Brownsville, Wee Jimmy, Stewart01, Capn Fishy, Midlander and two non-forum lads (but no less welcome for that), Dougie and Derrick. We spent the week fishing Malham Tarn and Stocks Reservoir, exchanging ideas, catching fish and generally having an all round crack. The details of this jaunt will no doubt be posted elsewhere, but I wanted to start this thread on the back of a conversation I had whilst afloat with Wee Jimmy.....

We both agreed that 10 years ago, the thought that we would be members of an internet forum was laughable - internet forums were just for wierdos, right?! And the idea that two lads who met through the same forum would be spending the day fishing together? Well it would have sounded ridiculous....and a bit, well, gay.

Jimmy said that the sharing of ideas on the tying section had re-ignited his own passion for fly tying; I made the point that is was only through being inspired by the tying of Midlander, Scratch etc that I had taken the plunge and had a go at stillwater wet flies - and that my fly tying had become so much more enjoyable for it. And so it goes - there is plenty of ***** talked on these pages (it is after all a public forum); but if you sort through the chaff you get to some really good stuff from top people - the sort of stuff that changes your fly fishing life forever. And when you have the pleasure of meeting up with like minded lads of the calibre of those mentioned above, then in my book, it's worth putting up with all the rubbish in the world.

A few years ago, my fishing was just ambling along. Sure it was enjoyable, but it felt like something intangible was missing. I realise now that it so much more of an experience; over the last few years, I've met some amazing people, made some dear friends, learnt so much, had such a good laugh.
It's all thanks to the forum of course and I think that alone is something worth a shout.

Matt

[g bigtrout]

Nice to see you have got over the bull Matt.....well for me thats all it is really and its amazing to see the playground stuff on here just faid away when you go fishing and meet up with the guilty parties just to find they really do talk bull.....anyhow hurry up with your next moan before i get hanky out.

[Wee Jimmy]

Well said Matt,the positives of the forum far outweigh the negatives......and we wouldn't have met Albert Nuttall in't Falcon if it wasnt for the forum either....

[Mostyn]

Hey Matt,

Good post (Thread) I agree!! Yes we all like to have a good old Whinge and Moan! But, we have In the Fly-Fishing-Forums, somewhere to air our views, discus tactical angling, ask questions; and get to the right answers (Eventually) a place to show off our angling prowess - display our photos and give our opinions! See pictures and read reports and stories of places we would not see, or know about if were not for the activity of the forum!

Yes, there is a lot of C.R.A.P Talked about and written on here! But all in all, it's a good place to keep up with the news and communicate with like minded people!

Regards

Mostyn

[brownsville]

Since we're being serious for a minute Matt, here's my tuppence worth. This is only my third season fly fishing and I don't tie. To be fishing with international class rods, and a world champion, would have been a fantasy for me not long ago and I was, frankly, daunted.
For these same people to make me hoot and cry with laughter, as I haven't for far too long, whilst generously imparting their knowlege and experiences, made it a very special week for me.

Thanks lads, see you all next year. You sack of .................



And hopefully sooner.

[g bigtrout]

Originally Posted by brownsville

Since we're being serious for a minute Matt, here's my tuppence worth. This is only my third season fly fishing and I don't tie. To be fishing with international class rods, and a world champion, would have been a fantasy for me not long ago and I was, frankly, daunted.
For these same people to make me hoot and cry with laughter, as I haven't for far too long, whilst generously imparting their knowlege and experiences, made it a very special week for me.

Thanks lads, see you all next year.

Ohhh come on...international class rod....really i dont think fishes could tell the difference.....well they do get caught out on imatations.

[stuartpengs]

Well said Matt. It's good to see a thread highlighting the positives this forum brings. Instead of moaning about the negatives.

I've been fly fishing for a good many years now, and have always enjoyed it. I was browsing this forum one day and saw an absolutely stunning photo of a brown trout coming to the net, taken by Rob. I remember thinking "wow, that's amazing, how the hell did he do that?". I'd never even thought about fishing and photography before that, but I was inspired by that picture, and others posted by Rob and Col.

A whole new facet has been added to my fishing now, and never go without my camera. Both Rob and Col have helped me, with advice, and of course that amazing section about fishing photography. I view my fishing differently now, not only trying to get that 'good fish' but trying to get a 'good shot' of it too.

As you have rightly said, some really really good people on here, I've mentioned two but there are many more.

Thanks all.

[tigermoth]

Originally Posted by North Country Angler

I realise now that it so much more of an experience; over the last few years, I've met some amazing people, made some dear friends, learnt so much, had such a good laugh.
It's all thanks to the forum of course and I think that alone is something worth a shout.

Matt

Matt... your post really struck a chord with me, and the above comment is the nub of it. I had much the same thoughts following my day with Cothi and Gwilym on Friday. I've met some really good and true friends on this place, tomorrow, I'm off to fish with Kev in Staffs for a couple of days and I am chomping at the bit. We haven't spoke in a while, but I know that we will have a great craic whether we catch fish or not, and we're sure to have some stories to share.

Thanks for posting your thoughts Matt.

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by North Country Angler

A few years ago, my fishing was just ambling along....

As was my fly tying... then I joined this forum... and I realised how **** I was Too many members to mention here (they know who they are), but after a few short weeks of drooling and marvelling at the silky skills on display, soaking up the knowledge, and using the common sense and tips gleaned from some class tyers, I soon upped my game to at least average!

As for the pals thing... I wish I'd met you all 20 years ago, and I'm looking forward to fishing and laughing with you c***s for another 40 at least

The highlight (for a sad tw*t like me) of our little trip, Matt, was our visit to the Falcon at Arncliffe on our last evening... where we spied a local with, let's just say, 'interesting' dress sense On the drive home (after one pint of warm, flat dog p!ss, labeled up as 'Tim Taylors') Jim and I decided he was called Albert Nuttall...

Even if I live to be 110 I'll never, ever know how I managed to see though the tears and control the car for the 10 mile or so trip back to Hebden. The laughter got to the stage where it hurts, and all you want is for it to stop... but it won't. Strange how some things get you going. You had to be there I guess.

Special memories. Special guys.

[Mrtrout]

Well said Matt, if it hadn't been for this forum I would never have met your good self, scratch buzz zoomer bigbadtroutfisher Paul, the list is endless.
It has opened up a whole new chapter in my fishing life, and most of it for the better.
Making the effort to get out of bed and go fishing, come rain or shine.
You have been an inspiration to me, your tying skills along with so many others on here, have made me sit up and listen.
The photography is second to none, the craic is fantastic, and just making new friends, and rubbing shoulders with the professionals on here has been amazing.
I don't think I have ever moaned about the forum as such, we get our share of numptys, I may well be included in that, but in general this place is heaving with very intelligent highly skilled like minded folk, who it has been a pleasure to either meet in person, or build a relationship with over the internet.
I spend so much time on here, I am thinking of selling the telly.
Long may it reign.
S.