How has the NEFGA changed you?

[LundLover]

One of the many missions of the NEFGA as it states at the top of our forum is community...involvement...education.

Since you have been a member of the forum, how have you changed as an outdoorsman? Have you changed any tactics? How has it made a difference to you?

I was just thinking this morning how much I have grown as a steward in the last couple of years. Previously, I was a keep all legal fish up to the limit kind of guy. Now, I would definitely release ANY trophy size fish that I catch, so that other anglers could enjoy them in the future. I even took Recycled Fish's stewardship pledge. I won't keep fish unless I am going to consume them within the next few days. I am much more willing to bend over and pick up junk that other anglers have thrown on the shore. I can tell that I am growing and changing as an outdoorsman.

Just a couple of examples that comes to mind. How has NEFGA changed you?

[fishinwithdad]

I have learned more about fish in the last six months than the last 15 years, and what I've learned would have taken years of trial and error to figure out on my own. I've learned there's actually some good fishing east of Kearney. I don't eat fish (yet) so C&R was always my thing. And, most importantly, I've found a community of people who care about the sport and care about how they conduct themselves here and on the water.

I must admit I've become rather fond of this forum. Several members have been very important to me learning new things and trying new techniques, lakes, species, etc...

And I love Shorty's tag line: "The best thing you can stock your tackle box with is confidence."

[ArizonaNative]

NEFGA has enabled friendships to be made that otherwise may never had existed. Also I have become more aware of events or alerts relating to my Nebraska fishing activities. NEFGA provides me with a much needed break - even for just 5 minutes - from the daily routine as well. I think I'm addicted.

[holdemplyer]

It's made me a better angler, a better steward, a better teacher of the outdoors to my kids, and provided several great friendships.

[gwhunter]

It has taught me the proper use of the words they're, their, and there!

[Alex T.]

Made some good friends with the forum. Plus,the forum has really taught me to consider what pictures to post and what not to so I can avoid all the guys that think the only fish to catch are the ones posted on a forum.

Alex

[AnglerX]

It has not really changed me. I've always had good ethics and morals. I've always done well in the outdoors. I've made some friends along the way. But I think there's a misconception that everyone you meet on this forum is all sudden going to be your "new" best friend. I like fishing by myself most of the time, especially after work-that's how I unwind. I don't want people right on top of me asking questions usually since wipers are pelagic, I pack up and go some where else. I don't like fishing just to catch my limit. I don't smoke pot-I don't drink beer a lot.I certainly don't want to pile the cans up so someone else has to pick them up. I don't like shooting a limit of doves/ducks and then dumping them in the ditch. I don't like transporting fish to another area.I don't like graphic pictures-yes I know it happens, I've done it myself, but I don't want to immortalize it. Just because you are a member of NEFGA does not entitle me to take you to every farm pond I've fished, every tree stand I ever set, or every CRP field that I've hunted. I like to keep my areas clean. Sadly enough I have seen this from other members. Just because I try to educate doesn't mean we are going to be "best" friends.

[thedarkarcher]

Aside from learning how to not step on toes, I've learned some good information about different species and met some neat people.

[Fish On]

It's made me less productive at work....

[Harold]

Originally Posted by AnglerX

It has not really changed me. I've always had good ethics and morals. I've always done well in the outdoors. I've made some friends along the way. But I think there's a misconception that everyone you meet on this forum is all sudden going to be your "new" best friend. I like fishing by myself most of the time, especially after work-that's how I unwind. I don't want people right on top of me asking questions usually since wipers are pelagic, I pack up and go some where else. I don't like fishing just to catch my limit. I don't smoke pot-I don't drink beer a lot.I certainly don't want to pile the cans up so someone else has to pick them up. I don't like shooting a limit of doves/ducks and then dumping them in the ditch. I don't like transporting fish to another area.I don't like graphic pictures-yes I know it happens, I've done it myself, but I don't want to immortalize it. I like to keep my areas clean. Sadly enough I have seen this from other members. Just because I try to educate doesn't mean we are going to be "best" friends.

X, my whole life has just been "shattered"...


A confessional:

I will say this, the NEF&GA is RESPONSIBLE for me getting back on the water and OFF MY SEAT. Even with Mrs. HFE telling me on numerous occasions to "go fishing" I had instilled the mindset that if I "didn't do it now (work) I would be that much further behind tomorrow... and I got to tell you, THAT was a "reality" in my mind!

She knew my love of the sport, but it wasn't enough to "break the spell" I put myself under.

Props also go out to OBG and Slimdog. OBG was a "respected Friend" from the old NGPC forum. His PM's after I "re-found" this forum "motivated" me to "Get back into the game", even though he had NO CLUE that I had become a "hermit in my own Dungeon"!

I got off my arse and drove to Fremont... the rest is history! And YOU will be suffering for a long time, I expect, because of it.

Slimdog entered the Catch & Continue contest and was probably the primary reason I did. Four weeks of fishing didn't kill me, but my weight was reduced, my stress was "released", and even though I am STILL in recovery mode, I am committed to reviving my former "active" roll of pursuing those MA LMB!

So, a BIG THANK YOU to the NEF&GA, OBG, Slimdog and all others.

I LIVE!

Harold F.

Side note: During "Catfish Week", you don't KNOW how tough it was to be sitting on a chair or in the boat doing NOTHING for hours with a $#!+ load of paperwork piling up on the desk.

May OUR GOD Bless each and everyone of us!

[fish_finder]

I've met a couple people so far. Haven't got any new best friends yet. I'd say I spend about 80% of my online browsing here. Don't get to fish as much as I'd like so this place gives me some enjoyment just seeing and reading about other peoples success and adventures.

[catchNrelease]

Originally Posted by Fish On

It's made me less productive at work....

Exactly.

[Aaron Lee]

Most of my friends are pretty boys ( and those that know me know I am not) and I think they fear getting a little dirty sometimes, so I can never get them to go fishing with me. I have met plenty of people on the board to fish with, and if it wasn't for that, I'd be fishing alone. I would have never picked up a fly rod, bought a float tube, or fished for much of anything besides catfish. I've learned a lot of great techniques, some of which actually worked. I've met like minded people, and I have found a new respect for what fishing is all about.

Plus I need something to pass the downtime at work. I have lots of downtime at work.

[CanoeGuru]

As someone who isn't an avid hunter or fisherman, but who is very much in favor of those activities, it's been enjoyable and educational for me to read the points of view of area hunters and fishermen, and even to meet a few of you. I've long been under the impression that "real" hunters and anglers as a group are, by and large, good people who share a common love of the outdoors and a willingness to enjoy it in a non-destructive manner. That seems to be the case with the vast majority of members of this forum, and that makes this forum an enjoyable place to blow off work... um, er, that is, spend time learning and conversing with like-minded people who love the outdoors as much as I do.

[fishman34]

I have enjoyed the challenge of finding "forum worthy" fish this summer , and I have also fished this summer more than any previous summers especially due to the Catch and Continue Contest, which didnt turn out too well for me..(insert a moment for reflection of things gone wrong during the contest)....but it was still fun....

[LiquidSteel]

Ive learned that not all fishermen/women are story telling, beer swigging, trash dumping, ignorant people.

No, seriously, Ive learned to fly fish. Im not saying Im good at it, but I do like it! Not to mention I really enjoy the use of my float tubes.

[Aquaman]

I've definitely made some new friends, for which I'm grateful. Especially at TR!

I've learned some really useful scientific information from the pointy headed one.

I've learned about black helicopters, and how they're used by the NG&PC to distribute large numbers of mountain loins to highly populated areas to control deer numbers.

I've learned more about some of the high quality fishing available in this state.

Because of NEFGA I've caught by far my biggest channel catfish!

I think NEFGA is cool.

[OldBaldGuy]

Originally Posted by LiquidSteel

Ive learned that not all fishermen/women are story telling, beer swigging, trash dumping, ignorant people. ...

Hey, to paraphase Mark Twain, all of my stories are true, except for the parts I made up.

[GenericAngler]

Originally Posted by LiquidSteel

Ive learned that not all fishermen/women are story telling, beer swigging, trash dumping, ignorant people.

You had me at story telling.

[Done]

Because of NEFGA I've caught by far my biggest channel catfish!

This applies to me too.

I have also learned that someone on here will know the answer to any question you have. Everyone has a different level of experience and knowledge to bring to the community. Some people seek and some people give.