10-15-2003, 02:45 PM
[cool]One of our newer members touched off a bit of a controversy on the current Fish Lake thread. Thought I'd toss out some thoughts on the basic issue of sportsmanship, and see what others might think.
I have fished and hunted enough years that I have just about seen anything and everything related to both sportsmanship and unsportsmanlike conduct. And, while I have done my share of reacting and retaliation, I have mellowed somewhat in my "advanced years" Anymore, I try to see the situation for what it is, and deal with it accordingly.
If my fishing experience is negatively affected by the intrusion or actions of someone else, I will first try to determine whether it is a lack of understanding...or just plain ignorance. There is a difference. If someone crowds me, casts across me or otherwise invades my space, I will usually try to cordially suggest that they are out of line. If my polite observation is met with stony silence...or the "Hawaiian good luck sign"...then I less politely suggest that they get the &%#$ away from me...or that they perform a physically impossible act upon themselves.
As those who know me know, I am a big boy. Those who know me better, know that I have a temper, and that I am a formidable foe when you get my juices flowing. I have done some things to unsportsmanlike folks in the past that I am not particularly proud of. But...I maintained my ascendancy.
I doubt that there is a fisherman alive...boater, banker, tuber or tooner...that has not been crowded out of a good fishing spot or had their fishing shut down by arrogant water skiers or PWC, That is beyond the topic of this thread. That is plain ignorance and arrogance, with more than a tinge of stupidity.
To my way of thinking, sportsmanship embodies how we conduct ourselves when out in the field or on the water. Are we there for the full measure of enjoyment...or just to harvest game or fish? Are we there to improve and enjoy our skills...or just to catch the most and biggest...to show off? Are we willing to help others who are still learning...or do we selfishly guard all of our "secret spots" and our best baits and lures...and the techniques we use to be successful?
Kinda gettin' "soap boxish" here...but that has happened before.
I like to compare sportsmanship to a definition I heard of honesty..."WHAT YOU DO WHEN NOBODY'S LOOKING...OR WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO." To me, that translates to a "Golden Rule" kinda thing. Do unto others how you would like to be treated in return. Nothing religious intended here, but it really sums up sportsmanship.
If someone already has your favorite spot when you get there, either ask if they mind if you join them...or take advantage of the opportunity to find another good spot. If somebody else comes up while you are fishing your favorite spot, and asks to join you, don't be hostile. If there is room for someone else, suggest a good place for them to set up so that neither of you is crowded.
If you are catching a lot of fish, and those with you or around you are not, don't "showboat". Unless you are more than lucky, there will be times when you are on the outside looking in. And, if there is something unique that you are doing with your bait or lure, it's okay to share if someone asks politely. It's your option how you choose to respond when someone gets hostile and DEMANDS to know. That happens. Fishermen get frustrated.
And, a big thing with me, is when you take a kid or another adult fishing, and they are still learning, make the trip about them...and not about you showing off by outfishing them. Take the time to make sure they are properly rigged...with the right bait or lures. Make their first casts for them, and coach them on how to do it themselves. And, don't yell at them when they tangle your tackle...or even lose it. That's part of the process. And, above all else, don't get surly when your kid or your guest catches more or bigger fish than you. That's just a reflection of your superior teaching skills.
Some of my most rewarding experiences on the water have been the result of turning what appeared to be poor sportsmanship into an opportunity to be a good sportsman myself. I cannot count the number of times my fishing has been interrupted or ruined by a guy in a boat motoring over my fishing spot with a couple of kids he is trying to teach how to fish...when he has no clue himself.
As soon as I spot one of those situations, my focus changes from my own fishing pleasure to helping insure that the kids get a fun fishing experience. I love to paddle over to the boat in my tube...after first striking up a friendly conversation, of course...and helping the kids get properly rigged and catching fish. I never cease to be amazed at some of the tackle and rigs that nonfishing adults hand to their kids and then complain that the fish weren't biting.
But, there is no way to turn some negative situations into positive ones. When a shole group shows up and crowds you out...trashing the area and polluting the silence...it is hard to
and offer to help them catch some fish. When some bozo on water skis decides to give you a shower, while showing you haw great they are on the boards, you are not obliged to use all the fingers on your hand when you wave to them.
The
fact is that we are living in times of the "Hooray for me and to hell with thee" mentality. Even worse, the mindless idiots are often carrying guns or other weapons, to back up their rude behavior. So be careful. It is not worth being injured or killed, just because you were there first...or because you object to the unsportsmanlike behavior of others.
And, that's enough outta me. Anybody got any good POSITIVE input on sportsmanship?
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I have fished and hunted enough years that I have just about seen anything and everything related to both sportsmanship and unsportsmanlike conduct. And, while I have done my share of reacting and retaliation, I have mellowed somewhat in my "advanced years" Anymore, I try to see the situation for what it is, and deal with it accordingly.
If my fishing experience is negatively affected by the intrusion or actions of someone else, I will first try to determine whether it is a lack of understanding...or just plain ignorance. There is a difference. If someone crowds me, casts across me or otherwise invades my space, I will usually try to cordially suggest that they are out of line. If my polite observation is met with stony silence...or the "Hawaiian good luck sign"...then I less politely suggest that they get the &%#$ away from me...or that they perform a physically impossible act upon themselves.
As those who know me know, I am a big boy. Those who know me better, know that I have a temper, and that I am a formidable foe when you get my juices flowing. I have done some things to unsportsmanlike folks in the past that I am not particularly proud of. But...I maintained my ascendancy.
I doubt that there is a fisherman alive...boater, banker, tuber or tooner...that has not been crowded out of a good fishing spot or had their fishing shut down by arrogant water skiers or PWC, That is beyond the topic of this thread. That is plain ignorance and arrogance, with more than a tinge of stupidity.
To my way of thinking, sportsmanship embodies how we conduct ourselves when out in the field or on the water. Are we there for the full measure of enjoyment...or just to harvest game or fish? Are we there to improve and enjoy our skills...or just to catch the most and biggest...to show off? Are we willing to help others who are still learning...or do we selfishly guard all of our "secret spots" and our best baits and lures...and the techniques we use to be successful?
Kinda gettin' "soap boxish" here...but that has happened before.
I like to compare sportsmanship to a definition I heard of honesty..."WHAT YOU DO WHEN NOBODY'S LOOKING...OR WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO." To me, that translates to a "Golden Rule" kinda thing. Do unto others how you would like to be treated in return. Nothing religious intended here, but it really sums up sportsmanship.
If someone already has your favorite spot when you get there, either ask if they mind if you join them...or take advantage of the opportunity to find another good spot. If somebody else comes up while you are fishing your favorite spot, and asks to join you, don't be hostile. If there is room for someone else, suggest a good place for them to set up so that neither of you is crowded.
If you are catching a lot of fish, and those with you or around you are not, don't "showboat". Unless you are more than lucky, there will be times when you are on the outside looking in. And, if there is something unique that you are doing with your bait or lure, it's okay to share if someone asks politely. It's your option how you choose to respond when someone gets hostile and DEMANDS to know. That happens. Fishermen get frustrated.
And, a big thing with me, is when you take a kid or another adult fishing, and they are still learning, make the trip about them...and not about you showing off by outfishing them. Take the time to make sure they are properly rigged...with the right bait or lures. Make their first casts for them, and coach them on how to do it themselves. And, don't yell at them when they tangle your tackle...or even lose it. That's part of the process. And, above all else, don't get surly when your kid or your guest catches more or bigger fish than you. That's just a reflection of your superior teaching skills.
Some of my most rewarding experiences on the water have been the result of turning what appeared to be poor sportsmanship into an opportunity to be a good sportsman myself. I cannot count the number of times my fishing has been interrupted or ruined by a guy in a boat motoring over my fishing spot with a couple of kids he is trying to teach how to fish...when he has no clue himself.
As soon as I spot one of those situations, my focus changes from my own fishing pleasure to helping insure that the kids get a fun fishing experience. I love to paddle over to the boat in my tube...after first striking up a friendly conversation, of course...and helping the kids get properly rigged and catching fish. I never cease to be amazed at some of the tackle and rigs that nonfishing adults hand to their kids and then complain that the fish weren't biting.
But, there is no way to turn some negative situations into positive ones. When a shole group shows up and crowds you out...trashing the area and polluting the silence...it is hard to
and offer to help them catch some fish. When some bozo on water skis decides to give you a shower, while showing you haw great they are on the boards, you are not obliged to use all the fingers on your hand when you wave to them. The
fact is that we are living in times of the "Hooray for me and to hell with thee" mentality. Even worse, the mindless idiots are often carrying guns or other weapons, to back up their rude behavior. So be careful. It is not worth being injured or killed, just because you were there first...or because you object to the unsportsmanlike behavior of others. And, that's enough outta me. Anybody got any good POSITIVE input on sportsmanship?
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