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Summer is on the way and time to start thinking about whether we want to have some contests or not... Last year we had the cat contest and a multi species contest... After a year of trying this, what is your thoughts? Do you want to have both contests again? Just the Cat contest? Just the multispecies contest... Let us know we are looking at starting the new contest on March 15th as the ice challenge wraps up... Thanks for your input.... Jeff
When things get stressful think I'll go fish'en and worry about it tomorrow!
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I just want to stir the pot a little here Jeff. 
Why must everything in life be a 'contest' of one sort or another? That's it; I'm done stirrin'. 
Bob Hicks, from Utah
I'm 82 years young and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms."
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I enjoyed the contests but to be frank i am not that into it right now - cant say exactly why, no reason comes to mind, just not gungho about it. I would still support it if a group wants it going.. I hope we can still keep the floatilla going
Remember: keep the lid on the worms, share your jerky, and stop by to say hi to Cookie and the Cowboy-Pirate crew
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I enjoyed the contest. I don’t know who won but I enjoyed going after new species. Some of us have a Competitive spirit and can turn anything into a contest.
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The contests provide motivation for me to get out. Now that catchinon isn't going as much, it is harder to focus on the contests. Even during the contests, we would often say something like, "I just want to fish for fun again...". There is a tournament similar to BFT's ice challenge that only has 35 participants. No immediate rewards over a three month tournament.
I do see lots of people still interested in contests - several one-day ice tournaments had hundreds of participants - and a more immediate reward. In fact, there were multiple awards. The FishDonkey app makes it easier to run a tournament and I think we'll continue to see many of those. I think Jim runs several contests on there for catfish.
The contest trend on here has been down in terms of participation. Not exactly sure why, but guess it could partly be a generational effect - we aren't getting any younger. Also maybe an effort vs reward thing. I'm guessing it also has to do with attracting new participants not just to tournaments but to BFT.
I like seeing what other people are catching, where they are fishing, etc. As a student of the fishing game, it helps me learn and apply new skills, approaches, etc.
Circling back, I will participate in the tournaments, hoping we get some others as well.
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j.o.a.t.m.o.n.
jack of all tackle, master of none
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Thanks everyone for the comments, I've been through many of the phases of participation mentioned over the years... Not as gung ho these days as I used to be, but still love seeing others do well... Fun to see how skilled some of our anglers are... I haven't ever checked to see how our results compare to fish donkey but I'd guess our big fish rival many of the top ones there... Anyway I noted the flotilla interest in there, why don't you continue to comment on that... It's been a great gathering in years past and we ought to circle the wagons again... Later Jeff
When things get stressful think I'll go fish'en and worry about it tomorrow!
