Thanks for all the replies. I see alot of people have the same ideas on what makes someone a good angler. I think being confident is one key to being a good angler. Another key factor is knowing your fish. I cant count the number of people that dont know anything about the fish they are trying to catch.
I also like the fact that some of you said you think that keeping the bnks clean and packing out more than you pack in is important. Just last friday some guy got a little miffed at me for asking him if he was going to pick up his spinner package that he tossed aside. Some people?!!
I used to be into to the numbers, Im not anymore. I have one friend that I fish with that I try to outfish. We keep a running total of fish landed when we fish together.The looser at the end of the year has to buy the New Years Eve drinks. Anymore if I want a fish for the table I will fish a combat fishery and leave after I get my 1 fish. I would rather fish away from the crowds and enjoy my time on the river.

I have had the pleasure to meet and fish alongside one who I think is the best fisherman in the State. I have no idea what makes his so amazing and where his great ability comes from but anyone who knows him will agree with me when I say "He is the best!"

Why is he the best??
You can put him on any body of water, tell him to fish for any species and I guarantee you he will catch fish. And when no one else is catching anything, he is catching fish. I take great pleasure in reeling in, sitting on a log, drinking a pop and just watching him fish. I could do it all day.

Plus he is very open to showing me his techniques, his ideas, his knowledge, etc. etc.

And I will never foget the day I hit a fish behind him after he had been pounding the water for atleast a hour.

How do I measure a good/great fisherman/woman???? I would by no means say it's amount of fish caught. I know guys who catch ALOT of fish on different rivers/lakes and show either no sportsmanship or snag the heck out of the fish. I define it as knowledge in your craft and your attitude towards your fellow anglers/enviroment. Getting fish is a bonus. I too know guys who can walk up to any river, measure up a slot, then nail whatever fish may be holding in that hole. But he's an @#$hole and thinks that everyone else are pondscum. I've even watched him even scold his son for being an idiot because he screwed up landing a fish. Is he a great fisherman?????? You tell me. I say no.

I'll just sumarize, it takes more to being a good fisherman then catching quantity of fish, it's the QUALITY of the individual that makes them great.

The great fishermen hmmmm....I think desert dog and salmo g hit it on the head but what come to my mind is actually two things. Theres the guy who catches fish in any condition, any river but who fishes for the joy of having others out with him catch fish. Seeing the joy on others faces when they hold that trophy up for the camera is what drives them to keep fishin. Then theres they guy who you see when your on your little break on the side of the river. He's usually alittle older never talking about numbers, very courtious. But catches three fish with a spoon after you just pounded the water. The type of person if you watch you can see the little intricacies in the art that he has mastered over years. And is a joy just to watch fish. I have yet to meet the kinda guy out fishin that I would like to be that bragged about numbers or the size of fish he/she has caught.


Tight lines

Kevin

SRBC

Oh and you got to be able to row a boat!