Men in Black

Interesting perspective Jim...

 So, Lets do it.... 

We are changing, and if " Growing up " and taking more responsibility for what we are and what we do is the next step to secure a better future...

It seems logical....

...it means that we all agree or support that persons position.  But we don't, because "we" are not a "we".  To be a "we" NCKA would need to be an official organization...

Indeed constructive, and I was thinking something very similar.  NCKA is an internet forum, it is not an entity (as far as  I can tell).  If NCKA wants to keep it like it was in the old days, then NCKA shouldn't go the business entity route.  True, as an entity, NCKA would have a voice/message/etc.  Along with that comes liability issues and expenses on which I make no opinion.  Remember NCKA roots.  It was an email list, then a yahoo group, then...

There's been some growth and expansion of the "membership".  Result: Identity issues for some members, yes.  Identity crisis for NCKA, no.  It is still "just" a kayakfishing forum

I will start by saying, I did not like it when Politics entered the site....

Not the fishing politics, that is important and needs to be discussed,

I mean the Real world politics.  Obama vrs McCain, Etc...

Thank you Danglin for starting this topic. When I first chimed in several years ago I was very much impressed with the caliber of members associated with this site. I was welcomed by many and made new friends. I have enjoyed spending time on the water with several of you and attending NCKA events with my family.

However, when the recent real world politics got involved in the conversation, IMO it seemed to take over from what NCKA is really about. Although I do respect the fact that we will not always agree, it's obvious that some on this board believe in grand standing and it's my way or the highway. I have stayed away from the political posts and don't think they belong here on the NCKA site. It's unfortunate that I have changed my opinion towards some of those now associated with NCKA after reading some of their comments.

In addition, I don't like personal attacks. I have seen this many times in recent months on this board. The trip planned down the coast in September this year is a perfect example. I believe if you have a bone to pick with another member, PM that individual and leave the rest of us out of it. I don't get out to fish as much as I would like but greatly enjoy reading about other members adventures and stories whether fishing or hunting. Pictures appreciated

I find myself not posting to many of the personal attacks or political threads because I may say something that might offend someone, which could result in friendships being lost. I value friendships very much and don't take any for granted. It's obvious some have posted who don't care if they offend anyone.

I have greatly enjoyed NCKA and the quality members associated with it. Let's get back to why we are here in the first place, to share a common interest, help others who are interested in our sport and enjoy eachothers company. .  


Ben

Personally I think you all are overthinking things.  It's like family.  How many of you have a black sheep in your family (or are you the black sheep?).  You still love them though, right?  Do you sit around and chat about it at Thanksgiving?  Or do you just shrug your shoulders and say to yourself, "it is what it is".  That's family ...

Or how many of you have ever lost a friend (probably over something stupid)?  Or just lost touch with a friend?  Only to see them years later and you share beers just like nothing ever happened.  The bonds are deep ...

It's just life.  Live it.

-Allen

The OG's have answered questions x10, or more, taken the time to explain time and time again or to take people out for free etc etc,,, and I guess per Spike, they just move on when they realize how much time they are putting into this, and it just gets old.

That is close, but not 100% correct. It's not that it gets old answering the same questions over and over....it's the fact that now some of the people that we've taught are the ones who are answering the questions and passing on what they've learned....and that's how it should be.

IMO - there hasn't been any one incident to change things here. It's been a long drawn out process and it happens with every single message board on the internet...especially sites based on hobbies...and even more so on message boards based on fairly new sports or hobbies.

Think about it. Who starts new trends, etc? Pioneers. The types of people that are usually pretty low key. They wanted to get away from the crowds and get back in touch with nature. Enjoy the solitude. Now some of those pioneers are noticing too many new faces and kayaks and a lot of the stuff they were looking to escape when they first started getting into the sport. Most of them don't totally knock it, though. They just make their get togethers a little less public. Keep the reports a little more hushed. Let some of the newer guys answer those questions. And it has nothing to do with the newer folks. They can all be really great people, but to some of those pioneers there's just too many great people in too short of a time span. I'm sure a lot of you know the types of people who can't stand doing the corporate thing and bounce from start-up to start-up. I equate it to that.

At least that's kinda what I've noticed on other boards. I've been on everything from video game forums to MMA forums and they all experience exactly the same thing. It's not even really that bad here, to be honest and I think people are making a big deal about little things. Look at how many people responded to this thread like - "What happened? What did I miss?" To most of us this is just business as usual.

For me personally...I don't mind the crowds and none of my spots are little known so I have no problems posting hook-ups. I just haven't been getting out much these past few months since my girlfriend is pregnant, but I actually plan to do quite a bit of striper and sturgeon fishing this winter and will more than likely be posting the hook-ups here.

I miss my fishing buddies.  

It's a catch-22...  we all kayak to get away from the crowds, but the crowds are catching up!

Jim, I think you are absolutely correct in that more organization is needed.  It should go without saying that there are lots of newish members who are willing to carry the torch with new events and such...  But I think that depends on if the torch is passed on, or someone takes it home to douse in the toilet.

 

Wow! I agree there has been an elephant in the room for a while now. Terry bailed, Andy (kickinbass) bailed, now Sean bailed. That's most of my crew, but fortunately we still break bread together (sometimes liquid bread).

I too have signed off for good several times, but I guess it's a lot like my good friend Cherry Skoal. I've quit cherry Skoal several times, but I love it so much that I've got a lip full right now.

I think we need to remember what drew us to this site and what kept us here. For me it was all about fishing and taking pic's of my friends with their trophy (no matter how small it was). Next it was the thrill of fishing new areas and meeting new friends with the same love of fishing. Then it was the thrill of AOTY and spending every moment I wasn't on the water, planning where I was going to either upgrade or target a new species.

Oops! I just lost my train of thought........I'd better put my yak in the water and put it all back in perspective.

I just poured myself a warm glass of "Shut The f... Up", so I'm done.

CHEERS!

I just haven't been getting out much these past few months since my girlfriend is pregnant,

Hey hey! Congrats dude! Were you tryin' to slip that tidbit in there on the sly? (ZING!)

I just haven't been getting out much these past few months since my girlfriend is pregnant,

Hey hey! Congrats dude! Were you tryin' to slip that tidbit in there on the sly? (ZING!)

Yah, you thread-jacker Dustin! Congrats...

 I've quit cherry Skoal several times, but I love it so much that I've got a lip full right now.

CHEERS!

me too, and an extra can in the van

  I saw this happening here with the disagrement and frustration.  With the politics and the new crowds at your favorite fishing spots.  Thus the new current fishing forum.  But I personally have a good feeling that this rough water will calm and ego's will be tempered for the good.  My Bro and I joined some time ago and we allways express how friendly and generous you guys and gals are.  I've met a few of you.  You may not remember but thats OK.  Storms allways calm but they allways brew up again.  That is life.  I have complete and total faith in this site as it is my favorite fishing web site ever.  Thanks NCKA.  Jim

Storms allways calm but they allways brew up again.  That is life.  I have complete and total faith in this site as it is my favorite fishing web site ever.

Well said and agreed, my brother!

It's easy to get along when everything is cool.  It's how you weather the storm that is the true measure of character.

sounds like alot of drama to me. If you put several hundred people in a chat room all kinds of subjects are gonna come up, people wanna leave that's your right, just don't look for attention while you do it

What's changed?   Kayak fishing has gotten bigger. It's hard to keep that sense that you're pioneering a new sport, and all who participate will be comrades. With MLPA's in the works, politics rears it's ugly head. And non- fishing related political discussions have, perhaps inevitably, resulted in battle lines being drawn.

But I don't believe in censoring, or being afraid to state one's position.

I do see that it's relatively easy to speak hastily, with an uncivil tongue here on the computer. And we don't have body language to guide us when we've crossed a line. I think the medium itself changes the way we talk about things, and makes it too easy to overreact or jump to conclusions. Put more simply, it's relatively easy to make an ass of oneself.

I'm still here, and I'll try not to do that.

Happy Thanskgiving to all!