My Thoughts on NCKA

 I have been an official member her now since October of 2007 and for the most part, it has been a joy. I remember the warm welcome at BAM III from Shawn and all the great people that invited me to their table to join in on the feast. This was a great time in the NCKA.
I often think of my first encounter with "Mooch" in the parking lot of the Dolphin Motel in S.D. when he explained that I could not go on the Islander Trip because it was a Nor-Cal Trip and I was not a member at that time   I remember many great things from the past 5+ years that I will cherrish forever.
 These fond memories of all the kind and helpful people in the kayaking community inspired me to create what many of you have come to know as the "Yakhopper Kayak Fishing Series". This series was a way to give back to those who have been so kind to me.
 I'd like to say that all my memories from NCKA have been fond, but as we all know, that would be a stretch at best. In recent years, I have seen many things thet have not set well with me. I know this will offend many, but I have to speak my piece. This is just my opinion so you can tell me to F.O. if you wish, you wont be the first. 
 If you have been around long enough, you will remember that as the country voted for a new president , I learned that I was not allowed to have my own opinion. I was ridiculed by members for questioning a candidate. I can even remember getting "the Finger" for not liking a certian candidate. I remember having a couple A+ members walking away from NCKA because of a few discussions that went way to far ... Are we not civil enough to have adult conversations?
 It angers me to see the disregard for others that has been shown here lately. Every time a someone askes about a certian brand or buisness the wolves (Car Salesmen) swarm and try to PUSH them towards their own brand or buisness .... Can't we just help a person out without the GREED?
 We have read heated arguments because some anglers want to enjoy an event without having to worry about their kids interacting with open use of alcahol or drugs ... REALLY ... If it was as conciled as decribed, there would be no discussion ... You are not as careful around kids as you think.
 And another thing,
I have seen the free advertising for the "Event Sponsors" box ... I have asked for the past year to add a few VERY GENEROUS sponsors to this list.
As of now, I see Humminbird, Wilderness, Kokatat and Hobie, 
I know that these companies have earned their event sponsor status:
Lowrance has GIVEN 15 Units and over $1000.00 worth of Swag to events
Okuma has GIVEN 16 Rods and over a dozen Reels along with over $1000.00 worth of Swag
Ocean Kayaks has GIVEN 5 Kayaks and over $5000.00 worth of Swag
Fisherman's Warehouse Has GIVEN over $4000.00 in food and time
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
 I know that I am just another number on the roster, but I don't know if I will be for much longer

See Ya ................
Eric / Yakhopper

Read and assimilated.

You need some GS, Eric.  See you in May with the family.   

I'm glad you said your piece.

Hang in there buddy, you are still an ambassador to the sport, NCKA needs you! It was your bass lake event that got me started, I had ask about four times that day NCK what?

Lowrance has GIVEN 15 Units and over $1000.00 worth of Swag to events

Yes, they are awesome! I have secured 10 FF/GPS combo units and 3 GPS/VHF radios for 2013 tourneys.
All this just for NCKA events. Great shwag to keep us safe OTW. Good things!

You will never find any group out there where everyone will get along 100 percent, with no complaints whatsoever. But I do welcome your observations and point of view.

I don't know you,but when I met up with you to give you money and you didn't bother to count it.to me that says a lot about a person.so losing you as a member would be a great loss.hope you hang in there

You're probably not the only one who feels that way, Eric. I agree with you on a couple points. Hang in there man...don't let the negatives overshadow the positives. Looking forward to fishing w/you soon!

I see your King, and all WE have is a damn 9.

The sad part is the Number that you feel you our on NCK

I hope you work it out, wish we all had a mass board for the darn country. I see your red fish and shove a nice Ling your way. hehe

Your a good man, keep at what you do!!! If I was in your shoes I would feel the same and there are other event organizers that probably feel the same. Lot of haters but with that comes a lot of Lovers. . Thats what makes these darn forums so great.

Hope you stick around and keep the YakHopper events going for years to come they look to be a blast and you put a lot of effort into them.

Tight Lines,

RHYAK

I can't do much to ease your frustrations... but when I am at an event, I have been, and will always be there to give you a hand.

It may be small but its sort of my way of thanking you for the wonderful, and tireless, work you do for this community.

Its always darkest just before the dawn.

Funny thing about groups... things change and sometimes it is not for the better. Politics like religion can cause bad feelings and rifts between folks and groups. Something like drug use and disrespecting others opinions and beliefs, end associations and friendships. I've enjoyed most of the time spent with NCKA and have not had occasion to be offended horribly yet, (might be  because I'm a little offensive myself) Your events have been so awesome and have gotten me deeper into this sport. I have patronized supporters of the events because they donate to us. I've Sold power boats and committed to this style of fishing so I hope you stick around and continue with them. I tend to accept others differences and to gloss over rough points that might spin me. Do I like all I see, no, but, as in a pot luck some dishes I pass on... I hope you stick around. Voice your opinions! Do some offending. Set it strait! Blend and bend, the group is what we make it and If you/I /we don't tap the offender on the shoulder and say, Hey, that really hurts or offends me. They may never know. Some growing up happens when you get your behavior bad or good called to your attention.  As brothers, like minded fisherman, and those that gathered to NCKA. We should be able to, with caring and even love, tell each other what's what. Your events have been great and I know it is a lot of work. If you choose to not have them anymore and just fish other events it will be great to fish with you. I hope you can get past the crappy parts and hang with us. You would be missed... Sincerely Ron/Weimarian

I've never made one of your events, and wish I had....

  You have from the start, done it the right way as far as our sport and spirit lives...

There's not enough money in this sport for it to be about the money, so do it for the fun...

 and you Yakhopper, have done that best IMO...

 I've made mistakes in the years here,

gotten into the middle of arguments on the board and seen some go by the wayside...

 there can be " Forum Burnout...  Good time of year to settle back and let go the board for a while and come back when the fishing gets good again...

  Hang in there Yakhopper, planning on saving you a parking spot at GSwhatever were at now... 

If you don't want to get in a heated argument then best stay away from politics and religion.  There are lots of us who can engage in heated conversations while maintaining a friendship.  Heck, I think a lot of my friends (including some in NCKA) are complete numpties when it comes to certain political issues.  I am also sure those same individuals would think I am an idiot for some of my beliefs.  The only dealbreakers for me are racism and malice. If you feel friendships are in jeopardy over politics, it is best not to openly talk politics (whatever side you are on).  My wife has been flipped off numerous times for her Obama bumper sticker, and during some campaign work I did for a Democratic congressional candidate in 2008 we had a severed goat head delivered to the campaign HQ.  It aint just one sided.

As for "pushing people" toward one business or another... I think people are just giving their honest opinions. There are some businesses that support and are active in NCKA.  It is only natural that some NCKA members would want to promote those businesses.  Fisherman's warehouse is one of those businesses.  If I lived in Fresno I would buy the majority of my gear at FW because what you have done for the community.  As it happens, I live in the Sac area, and have been treated rudely by the Sac FW manager in the past.  I still patronize the Sac FW frequently because of you and Kat.

I find the "used car salesmen" comment a bit distasteful.  From what I have seen on these boards, people promote the products or businesses that have treated them well in the past.  I don't think anyone on the boards (with the exception from shop owners/employees) have a financial stake in any of the businesses promoted on the boards.  It can be therefore reasoned that GREED as you put it, is not the motivation for promoting a particular business.

I hope you don't leave NCKA.  I have enjoyed the times we have fished together, and I think you are a huge asset to the kayak fishing community.

I propose an Erik Kai appreciation FnC!

Funny thing about groups... things change and sometimes it is not for the better. Politics like religion can cause bad feelings and rifts between folks and groups. Something like drug use and disrespecting others opinions and beliefs, end associations and friendships. I've enjoyed most of the time spent with NCKA and have not had occasion to be offended horribly yet, (might be  because I'm a little offensive myself) Your events have been so awesome and have gotten me deeper into this sport. I have patronized supporters of the events because they donate to us. I've Sold power boats and committed to this style of fishing so I hope you stick around and continue with them. I tend to accept others differences and to gloss over rough points that might spin me. Do I like all I see, no, but, as in a pot luck some dishes I pass on... I hope you stick around. Voice your opinions! Do some offending. Set it strait! Blend and bend, the group is what we make it and If you/I /we don't tap the offender on the shoulder and say, Hey, that really hurts or offends me. They may never know. Some growing up happens when you get your behavior bad or good called to your attention.  As brothers, like minded fisherman, and those that gathered to NCKA. We should be able to, with caring and even love, tell each other what's what. Your events have been great and I know it is a lot of work. If you choose to not have them anymore and just fish other events it will be great to fish with you. I hope you can get past the crappy parts and hang with us. You would be missed... Sincerely Ron/Weimarian

Heck...Ron and I are political polar opposites, and I consider myself lucky to count him as a friend.

Knock it off Eric
I regret not having attended any of your events but you are the exact person any club or organization need to be worth joining.
Thank You to All your support in making fishing fun for everyone
Allan