I have been following posts to Washington Fly Fishing for some time, both as a "lurker", and as an active participant. I have been, for the most part, impressed by the quality of posts. Even to the effect that I have thought that this person, or that person, is someone I would enjoy fishing with. Some recent posts however, have reversed the impressions I have had of some people. I am sure a number of people have put me on their list of persons they do not want to fish with, because of some comments I have made. The point I, Mike, and several others have tried to make is that it is not the money, it is not the equipment, it is not the car that makes a person. It really is the attitude. Doesn't matter whether it is in the business world or on the stream, attitude matters. It really does.
Equipment does not make the man, just as driving a BMW doesn't make one better than someone who drives an old Jeep. What I am disappointed in is the attitude of many people on the rivers, lakes, and streams nowadays that, because they feel they are better than somebody else for whatever the reason, they fail to abide by the common sense rules we all would like followed. That is what I am talking about. I was raised in an era which indelibly impressed my value system upon me. I have my ideas about right and wrong, and each of you have yours. And more power to you. I respect your right to do what you wish, go where you want to go, and fish how you want to. But the rules and regulations are for all to follow, not just certain individuals. It is when we get into the gray areas of decency and common sense that the gap widens. This is the area where the comments I and others have made has elicited both support and rejection. One thing I have learned from many years in upper management in the corporate world is to not respond immediately, upon first reading, to communications. Rather I will read, and then re-read the communication. Quite often I will find that my initial impression was not correct and careful re-reading will reveal the true intent of the communication. Perhaps this would apply to not "shooting from the hip" in some of the postings lately. As another poster said, we don't know where a person is coming from, unless we have walked in his shoes. We all have good, positive things we can contribute to this forum. Lets try to focus on those areas. Roger
