I posted this in 'Cowltiz zoo' thread but I think it is a good question to ask so I moved it here:

Are we a special group (An elite?) on this site or do we represent a sample of what is out there? What do you think? Honestly I am not trying to pi$$ anyone off.

Interesting question - Clearly we are a subset of all the fisherpeople of the Northwest. I do not think however, that you can make a qualitative distinction of PP Forum readers/responders. In other words, the terms special, elite, etc. carry an impression of being better than someone else. I think that we have seen that discussions on this board can get down to every base level that there is and therefore we can not make a qualitative distinction. Having said that, I do know that I have learned things from this board that make me a better fisherman and a more ethical one as well. The same has happened riverside with folks that I know and don't know. To quote the General, "Nobody knows as much as we all do".

I read some of the stuff in the rating poll, and where someone scoffed that there's 32% here that consider themselves in the 10% best fishermen pool.

This BB isn't a representative cross section of all fishermen in WA state. If it was then you'd need ones who don't even know how to put powerbait on hooks and also ones who don't know how to tie good knots. ... or those types who hold casting rods upside down and spinning rods with the reel on top.

Me, I consider myself a real "stream cleaner" when it comes to trout and flyrods. I can make trout bite even when they don't want to. But at steelhead... different story. I might be the type that holds rods upside down.

I think our board represents a well educated segment of the fishermen and women of Washington. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we have all learned alot about fishing of various forms, techniques, etiquette, etc. by participating here.
I dont think we are "The elite" but I do think that we are some of the finest fishers around!

Interesting...

To begin, I'm sure there are a handful, actually a large handful of fishermen on this forum, IFish, Steelheader, etc. that "believe" they are the elite, but of course this is in their own minds.

At age 27 I truly believe I am an "experienced" fisherman, but not necessarily the "elite." Place me in my element, such as on the Klickitat/Cowlitz for steelies, Potholes for walleye, or small ponds for largemouths and I honestly think I'm for the most part elite. I only say this because I believe it is justified by both the time I've spent on the water and my success. Also, growing up on a boat and now having my own boat for years makes a difference.

When you talk about a place like the Cowlitz, there are times when any person with a rod, strong line and a few corkies can catch fish; technique or not!! "Combat" fishing to me is not skilled though; people of all sorts are there because the KNOW there are fish in the river and there odds are vastly increased versus a remote river with small runs.

Here's how I see it...how many of these "combat" fishermen can work a true steelhead river like the Klick, Sol Duc, Clack, or Sky and use "their own" techniques to hook into a steelhead? Probably not too many. And the ones that are "true" fishermen probably have been doing it for years or are using legitimate techniques.

I bought a boat and started salmon fishing 1 year ago. This board has been an excellent source of information and I contribute when I have something valuable to say.

I'm not a member of the elite.

In one form or another, we have all learned something. Whether from the pro or the novice, everyone has contributed something worthy to help one another out. These qualities have made the board what it is... a great source of information!

As far as elite...na. Unique!

Downriggin'

This board represents a cross section of the "thinking fisherman".

We all have something to contribute and we all have something to learn.

Carl, take that back! Not all of us think.

We are far from elitists here. We are all passionate I think. We are not casual weekend fishermen for the most part. We like to talk about what we believe in and share what we know and what we think we know. If we don't really know what we think we know we will be swiftly corrected.

Elite is definetly the wrong word, To... well, Its too uppity, too Bellevue( for lack of a better term.) I agree with Carl and Grandpa. This is the only bb I have ever joined or even visited more than once.
For example I started salmon fishing this winter with zero experience and after the first trip out, I have not been skunked. Does that make me elite. No. All it means is that I can apply a small portion of the knowledge and experience that has been fed to me by the folks here.
As far as morals I think the folks here are definitly in the top 5 or 10 percent. No matter what I think of any one person here I know that the vast majority of you operate in the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law. I think most of the folks here hold themselves and, in many cases the folks they fish with to a higher accountability than Joe Cracker! There are folks here that rub me the wrong way politicaly and otherwise, but it all boils down to the fact that I would be more than willing to share my boat with any of 'em when I have an open seat.

I don't think that makes anyone elite, I think it just means there are good folk here.

Just my worthless two pennies

I believe most of the elite fishermen out there are people who cant even afford to buy a computer or just dont have an intrest in ever owning one. They spend most there time in the outdoors fishing and hunting.

I never said I was a 10%r in my post I just find it hard to believe that 32% of any group of people anywhere can claim to be 10%rs

Sometimes I am in the top ten and sometime I am in the bottom ten

I tend to agree with MicroP on this one. I have a couple buddies who work just enough to keep their trucks in top shape and all the gear they need stocked. Their the type that learns 100% of what they know by river experience, and thats about all that matters when it comes down to learning fish/fish habits. I think the elite of the ELITE are those guys. However, there are some very good fisherman lurking around these parts too

I am not saying you guys are elite I know I am J/K and I am not from bellevue

It was just a question. If we are a sample then some of us must dump garbage, snag and push the limits of the law or break it, etc. I don't think anyone here would dare to say it.

We are not elite because I don't even know what it really means

"thinking fishermen" and "Unique" kind of sound good.

Based on the poll we also have 30+% of the 10%ers so may be we are not a sample of what is out there

Some choose to call many on this board elitists, that's fine.

Frankly, I'd simply call most of us, myself included, highly opinionated. I see nothing bad in it ... those with the most passion get my

You lay by the edge of the road your whole life, sooner or later you're gonna get run over

I like that Bob!

You're close, especially with Downrigger's qualifier: the Unique elite. Elite, as in better people - no way, no how! Don't even think about it. In that sense, we seem to be a cross section of society. But elite, as in highly skilled anglers, well yes, generally speaking, I do think so. A damn lot of fish catchin' goes on among this BB's membership. I'm a passionate, serious, and maybe scientific angler for over three decades, and I'm plumb amazed at the amount of water-time that can be accounted for by many of this group. I barely get out any more compared to many that post here regularly. This BB isn't the domain of the casual angler - the guy who doesn't know how to use powerbait (that could be me as I've never use it - won't stay on a fly) or tie proper knots in his line and leaders. I think we are unique and elite, an unruly mob of opinionated reprobates who know the things about recreational fishing that many would give their left @#$ to possess, that it may enhance their fishing prowess. Just because we all get skunked from time to time doesn't make our collective knowledge priceless.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Salmo....that sums things up pretty darn good

Bob, you are a sagacious ol' salt.

Of course, there is the inevitable variation on a theme:
Lay by the edge of the road and flip everyone off, you're gonna get run over sooner rather than later.

As far as this "elite" thing goes, I've never really thought of myself as one to run in rarefied circles. But now that I stop and think about it, I guess I am starting to wonder if maybe I’m slipping a bit. I ask you, how can there be so many great fisherman in one place; all with scads of the finest tackle, years of experience, honed fishing techniques, the necessary computer savy and equipment, latest digital cameras, typing dexterity, social courtesy, adroit communication skills as well as the endless amount of time and energy it takes to fish all day and chat all night?

Is it coincidence, is it cyberlandasy, is it a case of the sum being greater than the one, or is it just kismet, no it’s……..

Bob’s Board, where the Elite meet to tweet.

PS.
Hey Bob, when is the next wine and cheese tasting party?
Might I suggest some springer lox to compliment the Pouilly Fuisse this time.
:wine:

micropterus101 is absolutely correct. The elite steelhead fishermen are those crusty ole fellows you see on the riverbank who look like they just crawled out of the brush. They don't know wsc from a post from a thread, and they wouldn't want to. If anything, they are extremely bothered by all of the fancy fishing gear, attire, etc.. floating by them, not to mention all of the bizarre (in their eyes) fishing tactics they are witnessing. Free drifters floating right down the center of their favorite slot (completely oblivious) they hiked to doesn't bode well.
And they would never think to talk about themselves as elite steelhead fishermen, using terminology such as adroit in the process.

Adroit = having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations.

Without knowing it, elite fishermen are far more adroit at the art of steelhead fishing than anyone trying to prove so with the use the seldomly used, or even recognized, english language.