Wow! I've come to a realization and decision....

I've been thinking about why I fish and why I'm in NCKA... I love the camaraderie, meeting all the super cool folks here, camping and fishing with friends, POTLUCKS. Things I don't like so much is the competition, tourneys and drama that comes from it (my own ) I get all stressed out  and bitter baby syndrome when I don't win. I love to see others win and cheer their achievement. So I think after Rollins I will hold off the competition part and focus on the chillin part. Helping others get better at this sport and just playing with friends No one did anything wrong or pushed me to hard. Just my personality and competitive nature have been screwing up my fun natured side. I will still come out to play and even compete sometimes but winning will not be my focus anymore. I see others just chillin and hope to join that crowd. Looks like more fun anyway

The competition parts of it has ruined a lot of people I know. I don't compete to win just to support...

I don't compete to win just to support...

Ditto. Long gone are the days of trying to be on the water before daylight on tournie day. For me the big tournies are more about the gathering of like minded individuals than the chance at winning a kayak I'd more than likely sell.

Hey bro, just get yourself some bongos(or borrow mine) Carrie on vocals, and NCKA uke jam is on! - waaay chill!
Nobody cares if you fish or catch at all!
for me it's mostly about the pedal, paddle or sail
i might see you at Rollins btw LOL!

Yeah, was guilty of this as well Ron!  Took two years off AOTY, but signed up again this year to support it and PIF, but haven't even entered a fish yet!    Don't the thrill of winning overcome the thrill of just being there fishing.  You still might win, but dont kill yourself trying too 

Hear ya.  I know enough about myself that I don't really even entertain the notion of competition in any circumstance any more.  I was equally happy at crab fest getting blown out as I would have been OTW.  Maybe even more; I got to meet more people, hang out, make some new friends, and have a killer salmon benedict in town

Oh, I'm also a supremely terrible fisherman, so not only is there no chance I'd win anything, I'd be kinda stressed/ unhappy trying, and I'm better for having faced it: that would totally be missing the point of fishing in the first place!

It's easy peasy for me. If I win life is good. If I lose life is good. Don't get me wrong I'm super competitive too and I play to win. But if I don't win a prize I still won in other ways. So I'm happy either way.

I just go to fish. I have to be happy to play, otherwise, why play? For me it is always about quality fish, and then the quality chill.
BUT I'm always stoked to see someone win a piece I've made, knowing they put a ton of effort into doing so, just like I did to make it.

Weimarian, I like your thinking.

It's easy peasy for me. If I win life is good. If I lose life is good. Don't get me wrong I'm super competitive too and I play to win. But if I don't win a prize I still won in other ways. So I'm happy either way.

I agree. I have been in competition of one form or another for most of my life. 20 yrs ago it was all about me winning. Drag racing is a humbling sport. One week you are on top and then for no reason you just can't get anything right. I know every time I go out to race, or fish in competition I can win, but if I don't I don't care. It has been a very long time, 20 yrs plus,  since I got made after losing. Go out, have fun, do what you know how to do, and if you are on the podium great, if not, who cares.

Ron, I know you are competitive, but there is no need to stress out about not winning. Competition to me is my life, but it does not rule me. Just have fun. ( I will fish with you at Rollins just to make sure I can help find the Crappie hole)

good Rons out the way..

I've seen some folks will even cheat to win a kayak...wtf---that was when I said fuck this...focus on camping-meeting cool people-seeing california and getting away for the weekend etc- awesome..
winning...if it happens then good..but who cares..
I'd rather see a kid win or some brand new member  or members wife hook up the big fish..

P.I.f last year was the coolest end to an event I've yet seen...the spirit of giving and the brotherhood of ncka was in full force there imo

Well... I wouldn't mind winning at least one tourney still so I can be cool like the rest of the OG's 

 

Don't you have to win something first, then retire? 

Been a winner, been a looser... Now I want to try spectator.... I'll clap for you when you win!