Im seeing and hearing about so many good folks here on the forum having to sell off their boats and tackle to take care of their families.I have been in the fishing industry for three years on thr retail level and its getting pretty bad.Lots of people selling all of their gear to help with living expences.Some are saying they just cant afford to fish any more.For those who are facing hard times,I truly wish you the best,and hope all gets better soon.

+1

+100 The "CHANGE" did all of us alot of good... Vote'em OUT in 2012 !!!

+1

+100

You know what they say, when times get tuff, the tuff get going.

That's one reason I have been sharing the Catfish Calendar. Especially if you are out for meat. But even if not, you want to get the most for your money & time & stretch the gasoline (be it for car/truck & boat).

Everybody can blame Obama, or they can blame Bush & so on, but they are basically what is referred to as a puppet king. Everybody loves to shift the blame to an individual for all of the problems. They might have a little power, but the real powerholders lie in the shadows reaping in the profits be it good or bad times for us regular folks. When you have public workers (such as Congress) who can vote & raise their own paychecks without any oversight, it brings to mind what Jefferson spoke of (in a gist, it's downhill from there).

While you see all of the protests rippling across the East, on the surface is the cry for freedom or democracy. But that is not truly what is the basis or what started it. It had to do with food prices & how many cannot even think of feeding their family. When you finally get to that point, you will eventually rise up due to hunger pains.

While the Tea Party is currently gearing up, it is still not the final mode. A tax revolt by us regular folks is on the horizon. When we get to the point of whether to buy gasoline or feed our families, then you will know exactly that which I spoke of.

I know what I have said above is no consolation nor a pretty picture, but fishing will endure, if not for sport, at least for eating.

As you know, we are independent sort of folks. But in situations and/or times currently, you learn how to work the buddy/team system.

If you have 2 to 4 going rod-n-reeling, or 2 to 3 going to run lines, you can split costs regardless of who's boat & such.

If you are going to charter one with a guide, 4 brings down the cost, I would assume, than just 2.

By doing this, you can easily reduce your trip expenses to have some left to purchase gear. Or you could even do some sort of rotation, as 2 of 3, or 3 of 4 split a trip (cost), to allow one to buy some gear they needed. But it has to go full circle, so you need to make at least 3 or 4 trips.

Of course you also have to make allowances if you are constantly doing wear & tear only on one person's boat & truck to haul it. Fair is fair, and if you are true fishing buddies, you'll want to do what's right.

You just have to sit down & map it out.

A few years back (2008), 6 of us decided to pool together for a 4th of July Trip. I think it was for 2 or 3 days. We mapped it out for sharing costs on the cabin we rented at Running Branch. One brought burgers for one night & we ate heartily. Next night I fried up a mess of catfish. The 3rd night we failed to factor that in, but not to panic. Everyone was out of extra food we had brought. Not a problem, I asked Nancy at RB if I could possibly buy some ground meat for burgers for our group. She just grabbed some patties they had pre-made for the grill at the store (it is open only during lunchtime). Plus I got some veggies. For what all we got, the price was very reasonable. And once again, we feasted for the 3rd night. The cabins were $50 for a night (2 persons allowed). Any extra persons were an extra charge each. We divided that by 6 & only paid $11.47 each per night. We had the A-C running all the way thru, so it was a relief to get in out of the heat. We had a blast & I think everyone will always treasure that trip. Jeff & James brought in the biggest- a 28# Op. And we even got to watch the annual RB July 4th Fireworks.

So you can be creative & overcome many obstacles. Plus still have fun.

I like reading your post Lynn,
even when you make me think----

Your "sig" says a lot. I can appreciate it, for sure. Most people do not realize a good education is extremely good. But it does not mean that is the end of the "journey".

So many people look for someone else to answer their dilemna. Then if the road gets bumpy just ahead, they blame that one. Old Socrates taught by way of hearing one's dilemna or question. He would share perhaps something he had found or was shared, add a little experience, but then in a subtle way, mirror the question right back to the questioner for them to answer themselves. For if you fight aka toil for something yourself, you will treasure it much deeper & grasp it in a much better scope.

So many people limit themselves, when actually we are endowed by the ONE to search & learn, without fear, but with respect, honor, and awe. No two people are exactly alike. Diversity should be embraced to enhance it all. Sure, we may not all agree sometimes, but we are not forced to. At least, methinks so.

In rough times, they are presented as a challenge to see how you can overcome or endure. Yes, sometimes drastic things cause us to do drastic things, out of necessity. But as an optimist, you will meet challenges with a grin, and realize it is just polishing your skills.

We all have great things to teach others, whether any realize it or not. The teacher is no greater than the learner, for if a teacher fails to learn even more, and from their learners, then sadly they have failed to comprehend. It is a process of which they both excel together.

Catfishing is one arena of life, of which the role of teachers & learners is seen & experienced. For instance, I may have the Catfish Calendar, deep knowledge on YellowCats, and many years of experience. And I can share that by teaching & sharing it to others to learn. But then there are those that use shad, live, dead, or cut up, which could teach & share with me, so I could learn (and many other facets as well). And the list goes on & on. Such as the range of set lines, drift juggin', and rod-n-reeling. We all must learn to share, as well as be shared to. We must keep the circle going & expanding. What seemed like a straight line, is really a curved line, which is then realized as a circle, and finally in a spiral when the larger picture is revealed.

Anyways, as times get tough, we have to stop & utilize our faculties (of our minds & experiences), in order to adjust to each situation. It may require us to buddy up with a few more to go catfishing and/or camping to share the expenses. Even with choosing a guide, as you cannot beat the expense to learn from those who spend constant time on the lakes & rivers they guide. It can be a big jumpstart to your catfishing experience, regardless of the type you are of. We may need to do a rotation, in order that each can have a breather to shift some money for added or needed gear. You see, the circle continues. If we lose our retailers here & there, then we eventually have less of them to shop with. No competition will lead to higher prices & I am sure you see what "cost" that will be. So there is always something to support your local retailer or marina. Think of what you would have to do, if you lose them.

I thought this was a fishing forum ,oh well The Bush admin. did a GREAT job ( both of them) all they did is start wars and get a bunch of our family and friends killed, using billions of $$$ to fightt and rebuild other countries when home was a mess. But I guess that it was ok for THE BUSHES to create current issues with LIES, we still haven't found any WOMD, and now that he's out its Obamas fault, LMAO.
What you should do is take Lynn advice and do whatever you got to do, quit crying and looking for someone to blame. Basically its time to make lemonade. Or you and the rest of the Confederate army go vote !

Catfish Hunter 1963---

Before this thread gets lost in the politics, I appreciate what I think was your intent was---

Compassion for those that are hurting, for whatever the reason, and wishing them well.

Thank you for that.

And Lynn, I hope some folks take your thoughts here and forge some new friendships while reducing the financial burden fishing can be for some.

I have never ever met another fisherman (while fishing) and cared one way or another how they voted or IF they voted.

I hope I always treat this forum with the same political impartialness.

I will try.

Lynn, this and your other quotes as far as I am concerned are welcome on this catfish forum. You have made some very inlightened statements, much more inteligent and worthy of reading than some of the things that are posted without any thought whatsoever. Thank you for some real insight and something to make one think, before they speak.

there are some people on this here forum who think it is their job to run every thread into the ditch.......... why can't we learn to leave well enough alone????? just wondering!