Now I am not very active in the club(only fished 1 tourn.)and because of distance have never been to a meeting. But I still put up my $20 to be a memeber. Because I don't get involved I don't feel I have much of a right to complain about the rules. The way I see it though if I wanted to be a part of the making of the rules I would volunteer to be a board member. Of the several board members I know there is not a single one that wouldn't gladly give up their spot if they could find someone to take it. They are the only ones that care enough about the club to "VOLUNTEER" their valuable time to keep it going.

It is very simple; if you don't like what is being done then get off your b...s and become part of the decision making process rather than complain about the decisions that are being made.

I also seem to remember some kind of old saying about you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Another thought would be if you are one of the folks who feel like they have to hire a guide to be competetive, then book him 31 days out and tell him you have a tournament in 30 days and ask him to show you the kind of water that the fish will be in at that time.

Just a few rambling thoughts from someone with only a very small dog in this hunt.

Steve

Can we pay a guide in advance? Say to sponsor a kid that never gets to fish and then with this gesture of humanity the guide will take you on a trip for free during that period or does that still count as against the rules? I know the answer Im just saying the rule is weak, anyone could get around this if so desired. Take the rule out out ok ok .

Let's just go back to the Rules Wally told
us about the way it used to be.
Just like Hockey. There are no rules.

Beer drinking is mandatory. Boats will be checked
prior to each tourny.
If you don't have beer, your out.

Just like we used to play golf.
One case per cart per 9 holes.
The golf course even used to supply the ice.
Man, that was the good ole days.
It's amazing any of us survived.

I vaguely remember some of my golf. Seemed I got better the longer we played but that could have been the beer. I never drank a beer until I hit a bad shot. Never played past 3 holes without a beer if that tells you anything.

I still say the rule was meant with good intention but it would be no different than saying any boat that goes over 30 mph can't fish because it gives that boat an unfair advantage on getting to a certain spot first. I wouldn't pay a guide to learn about a certain lake to try to win $500. I'd spend $300 at least for a half of a day and $450 for a full day. What would I win????

Our government is trying to cram Government Healthcare down our throats so everyone will have it. I want to buy my own. I work for mine. They are wanting the playing field level for everyone. I am against that idea too. It's not that I don't want everyone to have it, it's that I think everyone has the right to get out and work to earn it themselves.

If Ernest and Guy have a Humminbird 1197 and I only have a 798 shouldn't a rule be made about that too. If you haven't ever seen one in action, that is a heck of a lot bigger advantage than hiring a guide a week before the tournament would or could ever be. *Steps down off soapbox*

Well I have been thinkin bout joining CAT but this new rule is just the beginning most likely in "leveling the playing field". I don't have an interest either way but personaly one week would be plenty of abstinence time instead of thirty days. If I do decide to join CAT I won't be fishin any tourneys.

Heck, if CAT really wants to "level the playing field", then just make it so nobody can fish the dang lake within 30 days of the tourney. That ought to level things purty good I would think! Back to lurking mode!

That would level it up for sure but then the guides would still be hurt because of the trips they would lose those 30 days on their home lakes.

This will be the last thing I say on this.

If you don't think that CAT is doing something right and grabbing the attention of people in other parts of the country, you have to look no further than the CrappieUSA tournament trail this year.

In years past, CrappieUSA has deemed Texas as not worth messing with and that there was not enough interest in bothering with. Well guess what? CrappieUSA is holding tournaments on Lake Fork, Lake Wright Patman, Toledo Bend and Caddo Lake this year.

That is 4 tournaments in Texas or on Texas state line border lakes. That alone speaks volumes that says that CAT is on the right track and other organizations are trying to take aim at them.

If they aren't doing it right, then they sure have more than just the membership fooled because national groups are taking notice and trying to jump on the band wagon.

Although some rules or aspects of the club don't appeal to me directly, there is more than enough good to make up for a few of the things that are adverse to my desired ways of doing things. Nothing will fit you to a T on everything. Learning to accept a consensus and understand that sometimes some bad will come from a decision but that the good outweighs the bad is all part of being a member of a group. If you can't deal with that, keep on trucking at it individually and enjoy that without trying to drag a group of people down just because.

That rule has been around for along time now in all species of fishing, its not a genuine rule just came up for CAT. Whats the big deal if you want to fish a tourny follow the rules if not dont. Very simple. Im ready for Lavon lets change the mood!

If theres going to be a level playing field everyone should have the same size boat for thoughs windy days. I think were going to need Ray Scott here.

This is my personal view on this subject and it has nothing to do with the Boards view.

The first thing I would have done is used the CAT forum instead of this forum since that's what it's for and we've previously asked our members to do.

I'm a guide and I too guide on RR, but I also guide on Texoma and Lewisville. And if I have trips I will schedule them to those lakes in order not have a conflict.

I've listened to a lot of opinions here and I don't want to step on anybodies toes but this thread is upsetting to me and taken personally. I don't like the fact that some say we are getting to big for our britches or some rules are stupid because I personally helped vote on them. All we've ever done since we started this club is to make it better and try to help people. I personally have put in MANY hours for free to make this club the best that it can be. I think that people are going to gripe no matter what, but it's a well run organization in my opinion.

In my opinion if people think they can do a better job, run for the board because I am tired of listening to all the griping and you can have MY place on the board anytime. I will freely step down and enjoy just showing up for the meetings and fishing the tournaments and going home at the end of the day with no worries.

Once again this is my opinion and MINE only.

Paul

Been almost there and almost done that. Lets just fish! Luv Ya Man! Do not consider that a come on.

Paul, dont get dicouraged by the nasayers, with out your love and dedication of this club ( CAT ) It would not even be a club. I for one appreciate all your ( and the board } hard work, time missed with family, and yes, MONEY out of your { and your families } pocket....the BS drove out a great pres{ Guy }out, dont let it get to you. you wont be a board member for ever, but we need you and your sacrifices now...first crawl, then walk, then CAT will be running...the top of the pirameds was probly easy to build, it's the foundation that takes real men..thanks Paul......from The little Man in the little boat......