NCKA - My thoughts

When I first joined NCKA, my first thought was "ok, another online group... make a few friends and fish." Then I quickly realized that it was more than that. It was truly apparent when I attended Berryessa Salmon Slam that I was dead wrong about how I assumed NCKA was just a simple group wanting to fish on kayaks.

When I first drove up to where the event was taking place... I didn't really know anyone. It felt as though I was back in high school again as a freshman coming from another city. Where do I even begin?

As I drove up... I was expecting to get to know a couple of people for a brief moment, check out cool toys... then fish. But that didn't happen... Not even close. I was greeted by this MEXICAN GANGSTER that recently got engaged and I quickly saw that this guy, though looking rather tough on the exterior, was a softy and truly knows what matters... his family.

I quickly was introduced to multiple other NCKA'ers and was truly having a hard time keeping up with names... but what mattered was that they quickly invited me in their group. I spoke to a few guys and became rather comfortable pretty quickly... joking around and laughing already.

"Ok, these guys are cool..." I thought to myself.

Then a group of us (yes, I was already part of the group) went down to check out the vendors for the day. I again quickly met several people and saw some familiar faces... a couple of hours when by rather quickly. I was starting to question if I was going to even hit the water. 

 I did manage to get on the water and started catching bass literally within 2 minutes of getting on the kayak. Other guys saw this and couldn't believe it. I too was surprised… 2 hours passed and 12 LMB was caught and released. Believe it. LOL!!!

As I returned on land, a lot more people were hanging out and about and I finally met some of the people I envied to fish with prior to the event according to their location. It was great to finally put a face on the names. Chatted and was offered food. I made several friends… then this is when it gets interesting…

I was surprised how open people were when I was trying to find out more about them… as if I was family. Hmmm… weird. I would never share some personal stuff to people I just met. This not happened once… but several times with several people. This is when I realized that NCKA was just more than a group. There are people here that belong to the CORE of NCKA and to them… the people in it, if you allow yourself to see it… IT'S FAMILY. 

I was fortunate enough to meet the right people and also introduced to the right people.

This thread took me a while to write only because I wanted to make sure I had things right. You see, I questioned why NCKA was like this… then I realized that when you're out there on the water, you want to have that TRUST. When we're out there… we're there to support and save each other when we need it. This is why some people allows you in within their circle of trust. Our lives literally depends on it.

If you are able to come out to one of the major gatherings… I really encourage you to do so. Meet people, make circles… We'll all be better off in the long run ON and OFF the water.

//ed

whoopsie... posted in wrong category. =/

FAIL.

...more (old) photos.

Awesome post brother!!! You also managed some great pics.

Awesome post Bro!!! 


-Kiel

Nice write up Ed and I couldn't agree with you more.

Great write up.
But are you selling those pictures? Hahahaa

Couldn't agree more Ed!!!

It's too bad you didn't get to meet the godfather of our site as I believe he's truly the reason we are the way we are.

Nice post…

it's more than just having each other's back though…

what happens here IMHO,  it's a natural ( Human ) tendency to want to give back and share your passion with others and connect,,,

There are not many places that can actually happen…

  Here, it does, and even exceeds that basic Human tendency,,,

  Welcome to the Madness….

  or to be Human…   

which is rare,,,,   

Who are you? How did you get past the front door?  Very nice write-up, Ed. Before joining NCKA, I was briefly in another club where nobody...NOBODY...would talk to me. HUGE difference here.

If you're interested, I have a list of people with real names/usernames who were willing to reveal their identities. That is mostly how I manage to keep up with ID'ing people in pictures for the photo albums.

Howard

This post makes me feel great about coming to Albion. Sounds like my kind of people open and will joke with a new member showing up.

I am looking forward to being able to join in on one of the events!

It was good to meet you, and I couldnt agree more. I met that mexican gangsta in a dif way, I seen, THE BEST 70'S PORN MUSTACHE, and had to introduce myself!  Welcome to the madness!

Berryessa was my first event also.  I could 't agree with you more.

Great pics Ed, come to Albion with us, there is room in my hotel with wheels.