"Watch as these guys reel in their lines with fresh paint on them. They usually bring in their paint covered anchor ropes and go home" Quotes from the Batting Cleanup article in the new issue of STS.

This is one of your favorite tricks to pull on downstream fishermen while fishing from a boat? I hope this was your idea of humor??? If it's not a joke, I now understand why people get tires slashed and windows broken at boat launches. I would hope that a man who has the attention of the fishing public would use his position with a little more responsibility than this. If your just goofin, Say so.

My copy says just kidding after that phrase. Think about it, do you really think this was serious? Relax.

Hey, novel idea....RT, how about you keep poor jokes like that on this board where everyone knows your "type" of humor and keep it professional in the magazine?
Frankly, its a shame to even suggest such things as some idiot just might do it.....the power of suggestion. THANKS RT!

Hey GB,
Sounds like you haven't fished in a while. You're all stressed out....See...we ''Fisherman'' like to kid around every once in a while. Come on in, the water's fine!! :p

Waaaaaaa! Waaaaaa! Waaaaa! Did you guys all get together and try to find the MOST PETTY THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD to get pissed about. Learn to take a joke and quit being such a bunch of whinning little sissies.RT jokes around a lot, and anyone who frequents this board knows it. If you don't appreciate the joke then fine, but there's no need at all to go off on some kind of a rant.

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Bob ]

OH NO!I didnt know you were joking I already tried it. on the bright side it worked yellow seems to work best.

Yes Cracker, I was goofing around. And it was a poor example of attempted humor by me. I usually have more of my brain working than that, and come up with better stuff. My appologies to anyone upset by it.

But be assured that it's very unlikely that any cracker that can read would actually subsequently go out and pour paint in the path of other fishermen's boats. I wrote right after it that 'now you know I kid around'. I still would like to have that one back though. Give my column another chance, and I know you will see an improving novice columnist.

By the way, before your thread here, I posted a thread called "STS Dec./Jan. issue in the mail - read from Bob Ball and Superfly Joe in my column". I was critical of myself about this thing already; and vowed not to repeat such lame stuff. I will bring it back toward the top of the page for you to see. Thanks for your patience.

RT

By the way, if you look back a few posts, RT apologized to anyone who was offended by his humor in STS. READ before posting.

Hey RT, thanks for making me look like a horses ass who didn't READ before posting. You posted about your apology at the same time I was posting for others to read it.

Oh wow!!! You mean you weren't kidding Steve? Gosh I'm just dumb enough to try something like that. The power of suggestion you know! I wonder if it's like jacuzzi jet power. Hey Gummi aka Bill get a life dude!

Troy (Spooled), I've posted about the same time as others a few times too, and wound up repetitious. Should we form a "Horse Asses" club? Naah, someone somewhere would probably take it the wrong way.

Guys, I don't know RT from other than reading what he posts here and in STS. There is however a very valid point made: as a person in a position of "authority", in RT's case, a writer in a well known fishing magazine, whatever he says is taken seriously. He puts it here on the BB, and most of us know he is just emu'ing around . Put it in a forum like STS, and the joke goes right over the heads of some of the readers. RT called it earlier, and tried to retract his attempt at humor, but the deed was done. So give him a freakin break. I know how it is to have every blasted thing you say taken as verbatim due to my position in the Army. We're only human-so lighten up!!

RT haven't had a chance to pic up the new STS yet....only go to town once a month for flour, salt, bacon and other necessities. Anyway when I first saw this post my immediate thought was you were using an environmentally safe biodegradeable emu oil based paint as a chum slick. Sorry for being an arsehole for jumping to conclusions.

BTW don't we all love them first time postin lurkers who introduce themselves by bustin on someone.

Gooose

RT, if we do start that club, I will be elected President for life. Good one Aunty M. Did someone say RT was a peson in a position of authority? That's a good one too!

Wow after witnessing the cheap shots on ifish chat tonight and on other fishing forums I think everyone needs to take a chill pill and I'm including myself. Yeah what a great thing it is to come on a new BB and your first post is to ream someone Gummi Bear.

Geez, I guess it's just not my night tonight. Maybe it's the full moon? Stew just informed me by phone that I was chopped up on that chat forum tonight, mostly by Jennie's live-in Bill Hedlund (apparently Gummie Bear?). Bringing up the stuff about the lame STS joke is one thing (somewhat deserved), but among other incorrect inuendos of his, he also accused me of being someone on that chat acting like a jerk tonight; and said he'd have Jennie check out the IP numbers of those logged onto it. Good! Because they will find out that I not only wasn't on there tonight but also haven't been since leaving that website! When you get that jerk's IP's be sure to e-mail him/her, and warn not to do it again. And warn the others that there may be imposters trying to discredit people on that particular chat forum! With such strict rules to ward off site criticism on your BB, how about doing the same via registrations for your chat too? Hmmm.

RT

RT: I think you're finding out pretty quickly that it definitely requires a thick skin to survive as a columnist in any publication. Someone out there is always going to take a potshot.

It sure would be nice if some people could let go of the past, too. We can learn from history, but it doesn't have to be dredged up at every opportunity. Just ignore them - they will eventually go away.

John

Thanks for the kind words of wisdom John. I agree with you, and I am trying. But it keeps appearing in my face somehow. I will try harder, and find a way to aquire a thicker skin. Take care. - RT

RT, I knew your paint gag was just a joke, but you are definately held to a higher of scrutiny as a public figure published in a respected magazine. For the record, my issue does not have any just kidding disclaimers after the "joke".

Not only do people read things out of context, some idiot may just do it! There are some real neanderthals out there that are probably loading up their "low vis oil based" flourescents right now and snickering to their cousin Jethro "that RT feller has sum reely gud ideers".

What I really want to know is, where was your copy editor? Doesn't anyone proof read your work? I can't believe they would let you go off on your own. Don't they read your posts here? They at least have to check the spelling!

Pitch Pocket makes one good point; namely, where is the copy editor? The lack of professional editing is a consistent failing of STS, which is an otherwise good and useful magazine. Too bad.

[ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: Thumper ]