So, I have chatted with a few of ya, and others not so much. I am a new person newb, FNG, etc... The rest of the particular acronyms I know are not fit for public consumption till either one of us buys dinner and beers. That being said, let me give that perspective to this particular uh, thread?

Let me first say, you all seem somewhat sane-ish. Like any gathering of humans, simians, pelicans, whatever, there are different personalities involved and well, sometimes we rub each other wrong, plain and simple. We do the intro thingy, and well I don't know what the hell to say, credentials keeps getting mentioned, but here is the whole thing in a bucket... Nobody really looks at something typed and goes oh, he or she will be fine doing this or that. I have not been kayak fishing long, but I spent 5 years in a whitewater one.. does that mean I will be fine or suck at this... well, generally I suck at fishing but not always.

The thing is nobody is perfect, but how you choose to react to something determines if this becomes something where folks learn, or where we see who has the biggest fishing pole.

This whole thing touched a nerve for me, but not in how you would think. Or maybe it is. I mentioned white water and kayaking, over the five years I did it before I busted a hand and shoulder, and got the cycling of a lifetime on the snoqualmie several people were unfortunately killed while doing this. They were experienced had the right gear, knew what they were doing and Ada Ada... I hope to hell that this doesn't set off a fire storm here. But, accidents happen, People don't want to see others hurt. That shows something, but when everyone gets pissed over this or that, it is not going to help by pointing fingers. I quit doing the white water because it was too much risk to the reward... Every single one of us went out for the first time, and someone had to be the one to go with us. Or not.

Every day is a risk. Every time you cross the street you take risk... That is life, nothing is without a risk, sitting in your chair at home and doing nothing is a risk... maybe of boredom, or some other slow fading to nothing,

Just wanted to say being new at 49 is not always fun, but at least it is interesting.

Roger.