03-12-2014, 10:59 AM
[quote Johnr]Sounds like some fierce competition! Also just curious as to why you do not do contests Pat?[/quote]
[#0000FF]I enjoy friendly competition...between family and friends. But not against others who take it far too seriously.
In my earlier days I was very competitive. When I lived in California I fished bass tournaments and several salt water tournaments. I won my share but was also beaten out a lot by guys who "bent" the rules...or outright cheated. When money is involved it brings out the worst in some folks. Even just going for bragging rights or prestige is enough to turn some otherwise decent anglers into crazed enemies.
At some point, I took a good inward look at myself and reminded myself that I fish for fun. And when fishing produces more stress than it eliminates then I am doing it wrong.
These days I enjoy fishing with a select few other folks...and I really don't mind if they catch more and/or bigger fish on any given trip. In fact, I kinda like it when my wife or a fellow fishing buddy scores the biggest fish of the day...and I even let them gloat about it. Happily, I don't often have to swallow my pride and let someone else whup me. But it doesn't ruin my day when they do.
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[#0000FF]I enjoy friendly competition...between family and friends. But not against others who take it far too seriously.
In my earlier days I was very competitive. When I lived in California I fished bass tournaments and several salt water tournaments. I won my share but was also beaten out a lot by guys who "bent" the rules...or outright cheated. When money is involved it brings out the worst in some folks. Even just going for bragging rights or prestige is enough to turn some otherwise decent anglers into crazed enemies.
At some point, I took a good inward look at myself and reminded myself that I fish for fun. And when fishing produces more stress than it eliminates then I am doing it wrong.
These days I enjoy fishing with a select few other folks...and I really don't mind if they catch more and/or bigger fish on any given trip. In fact, I kinda like it when my wife or a fellow fishing buddy scores the biggest fish of the day...and I even let them gloat about it. Happily, I don't often have to swallow my pride and let someone else whup me. But it doesn't ruin my day when they do.
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