Greetings to the Great NW, I went to CA for 3 months and that was 15 years ago. When I left the Puget sound area I was a avid Steelhead fisherman. Found this forum 2 years ago what a wonderful source. I go to the Smith river in Norcal for a week every December, just not the same as living near a river. I get my fish fix reading your reports and advice. Thank you to Bob and all the contributors.

P.S Is there instructions for using the forum? I havn't clue what i am doing.

lbjamin,

Welcome to the board!

Here are a few pointers...some serious...some tongue in cheek. Read the recent posts and you'll know what I mean

1. Don't ask about zipperlip fishing spots. You won't get any answers.

2. Don't ask which is the best line or which is the best hook...you'll get too many answers.

3. Don't talk about politics or religion. No matter what you say, there are a few here who will rip you a new one and tell you why they're so right, and you're so wrong.

Those of you I'm speaking of know who you are

4. In most requests for information, at least as a newbie, include some unsolicited information or advice of your own. You wouldn't believe how much you know that others don't...and all will appreciate whatever knowledge you can bring to the board.

5. Read the threads with lots of posts, and figure out who to take at face value, who to take with a grain of salt, and who to ignore completely. You'll figure it out for yourself pretty easily, I bet.

6. Make an offer to take someone fishing on the Smith River. It's a world class steelhead stream, and I doubt most folks here have fished it. Showing off good spots while not asking others to do so is a great way to make friends and fishing partners out of folks...just try and keep it on the down and low so you don't piss off anyone else who happens to think the Smith is a zipperlip.

7. Most questions about technique and gear have already been asked and answered...use the search function to find those threads and get your answers so you don't have to ask a question that someone asked five months ago and got fifty answers to.

I'm sure some other folks will chime in with a few more ideas...

Fish on...

Todd.

P.S. Do you belong to any fishing or conservation groups in NorCal?

Welcome,ben to Fallbrook for xmas ,was't right being 94 xmas day. Missed the snow.
What sort of fishen ya do down there?

Welcome ibjamin,

you can visit the forums FAQ's pages by clicking on the "HELP" button just below the header of the forum on the right hand side.

If you have any questions not covered there, feel free to make a post on the board or you can email us if you like.

Good luck out there!

Todd, Thanks for the info. Good advice in any situtation. How do you look for info from the archives. I looking for information on Bantam reels. I don't live in Norcal I live near San Deigo. I don't belong to any organization looking at Caltrout which is doing some good work in my area. Apparently there is a run of Steelhead in a local river. Thought to have died out has discovered to be spawning. Hope springs eternal. I am hoping to move back to Wa in the next couple of years. Done with the Desert

Regards Randall NOrd

Finaddict Ron, Fallbrook is a nice place if you like DRY RIVER BEDS and Avacados. The weather is so good its boring. I fished saltwater for tuna and yellowtail, but that has gotten quite costly add to that fishermans attitudes has taken alot of the fun out of it. Alot of fisherman feel they have kill thier limit and more. God help you if you get in the way. The local lakes have the Florida Largemouths I been have lucky enough to catch a couple of fish in the 10-12 lb range.

I was in Washington last December right after X-mas and tried to take a trip with BOB, but the rivers were blown out. Maybe this year I can try again.

Thanks for the welcome

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="verdana,arial,helv">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Originally posted by Todd:
<strong>3. Don't talk about politics or religion. No matter what you say, there are a few here who will rip you a new one and tell you why they're so right, and you're so wrong.

Those of you I'm speaking of know who you are

Todd pretty much summed it all up. Glad you decided to become a poster and not a lurker!