What is the spirit of AOTY?

It's P-A-S-S-I-O-N, a powerful emotion, it's what keeps the fire burning! Boundless emotion and you all have it, which makes AOTY so great to watch unfold throughout the year!






*I don't play, but I am playing DOTY (with no chance of winning) and having a blast and learning a lot.

Seriously brothers. The thing that makes this site AWESOmE is that this site doesn't have a bunch of bickering.

You all are better than that.
And thanks for being cool.

Even the best of brothers bicker every now and then.   How you get through those times is what solidifies the bonds of friendship.

All that being said, you guys ready to move along yet?

-Allen

I used to enter, just to donate to the site-could never get my act together enough to actually take photos. I don't anymore...mostly because I see this thing as a competition now, and not as a way to support the site.
That makes me profoundly sad.

Salty you echoed what I was trying to point out: "if the 'prizes' for 1st thru 10th were ragged pieces of plywood with the numerals hand painted on there would still be people fishing and having fun trying to best their NCKA buddies."

I totally agree. And i think there would be a very different "spitit".  Try it next year, raffle off all the prizes, and give ragged plywood to the winners....you will almost certainly get an entirely different set of competitors.

I am actually laughing my a@@ off.  That must be the politest "shut the f@&% up" I've heard ina long time- bravo.

 






Steve, I would rather have people sign up to fish and have fun competing then have AOTY turn into a big raffle.  AOTY is about the fishing and a year long journey to see who catches the biggest fish in each species, who makes the top ten, and who goes on to become the Angler Of The Year. And of course the $ pays for the servers etc. And from the beginning it has been a competition. All those things are more important to those of us that sign up every year. If the promise of a 'raffle prize' is the only thing that will get some of the ten individuals that chimed in on this thread, but won't sign up for AOTY, to join then maybe AOTY is better off without those that either don't understand or don't really care about it. Maybe NCKA should allow those individuals that don't care for AOTY but want to support NCKA to do so without having their names added to AOTY? Maybe then people that don't like & join AOTY will stop commenting on and offering their advice on how to change it to suit them. Apparently AOTY isn't for everybody. jim

AOTY is definitely not only about the prizes.  Ask any grand prize winner how much money they put into chasing after the fish that it takes to win, and you'd realize that you would be able to buy a new kayak for significantly less money.  This is especially true with $4+ gas. 

It's a competition that is won by those who are driven to win for their own reasons.  Some people are just naturally competitive, others want to show their abilities, etc. 

I put my money into the pot since it goes towards the site. Pretty much everyone knows that I am not on the same page with a lot of people here, including management, but I am more than happy to support the cause regardless.

What I really like about AOTY is that I can still play and work a 40 hour week. Take care of my house. Mow my lawn. See my kids. Play with my grandkids. Then I get to hang out with people I like and fish.  I think what I REALLY like about AOTY is to get to meet peeps like you Adam. I see your passion and knowledge here all the time. When I see Claymans reports from Almanor I drool. When I see Abking with a big salmon, I dream. When I see Nudlings WSB, I really get envious. When I see El Dorado with a monster, Im just zombie. All things that propel me to chase, learn, dream, ponder, and maybe have some things come to fruition. Did I mention Als big perch yet? Thanks Adam for giving us a chance to show our passion. Mr Rogers says HI!

you may be right, maybe I should just shut the f... up, but all I am saying is that I would like to contribute to the site and I know that there may be others that would like to pitch in a few bucks too. when I feel the confidence to join the AOTY I will, till then I would just like to show my gratitude.
maybe I should just buy shirts or something, any suggestions?

Hahaahh! I just signed up, look out for the rookie.

Hahaahh! I just signed up, look out for the rookie.

Right on!  I assume you fish Folsom frequently.  Wanna go sometime this/next week?

Seriously brothers. The thing that makes this site AWESOmE is that this site doesn't have a bunch of bickering.

You all are better than that.
And thanks for being cool.

Even the best of brothers bicker every now and then.   How you get through those times is what solidifies the bonds of friendship.

All that being said, you guys ready to move along yet?

-Allen

Well said fellas......well said   

Holding grudges is simply "high-school-ish"     

What is the spirit of AOTY....

Clearly, its Bushmills

Sorry, couldnt help myself.

What is the spirit of AOTY....

Clearly, its Bushmills

Sorry, couldnt help myself.

   An Irish whiskey?!  I dunno about that....

What, youd rather drink whiskey made by men who wear skirts?

Oops. Feel like I just kicked a hornets nest......

End threadjack.

I prefer a good Zombie Whiskey.

-Allen

Interesting thread.  For the first time ever I have decided to sign up for ATOY.  Partly to give back to NCKA to keep the lights on, but mostly to challenge myself that after a decade of kayakfishing I have the skills and resources available to crack the top 10.  If I were to take my top fish in 10 categories from the past decade, and repeat that catch within the next 8 months...we'll, that's my goal.  So far I have nothing on the board, but the strategy and planning on how to make it happen has definitely given me an extra dose of enthusiasm to get out, learn some new water, and re-visit some old ones.

tight lines amigos,
beenfishin 

Right on!  I assume you fish Folsom frequently.  Wanna go sometime this/next week?

Believe it or not I dont fish it that much anymore, got pretty frustrated over the summer. My work schedule is going to keep me OTW (off the water) for the next few weeks.  I'm going to try and get a day at Berryessa Saturday to practice for BSS2.  Soon as things calm down I'd love to!