"rb608" wrote in message
...
On Jan 10, 11:41 am, "Larry L" wrote:
A few years ago at a shop I'd never been to before the owner
recognized my name on the credit slip and asked if I "was on the Internet
a
lot." Turns out he was a ROFF lurker. I felt thoroughly embarrassed to
be associated with this place g ... as the only thing known about me.

My only such experience was the opposite. I introduced myself to
another ffer on a stream as I was giving him a couple shad flies. He
recognized my name from ROFF as the guy who had posted the recipe &
pix (on abpf). It was actually kinda cool.

Joe F.


I've had a few other 'Net fly fisher' meetings, where I recognized the other
guy from posts or he asked if I was on a given board ( never ROFF ).
They were fine but I didn't find that being a 'Net guy' added anything to
the conversation.

Let me point out that in the situation I posted before it was ME that
decided to feel embarrassed, the other guy didn't say anything directly
negative about ROFF. This place offers some good things, and not just
fishing related ( I often post FFing questions/ comments with the lurkers in
mind .... not because I don't think I know the answer or that regulars give
a **** ) ..... actually ..... mainly other stuff is more why I'm here. (
including Winter boredom )

But when one or more of the well known locals finds his medication failing
him ( or is over 'medicated' ) frequenting the place is nothing to be proud
about.

I fish in part to get away from TV, radio, Internet and human social
posturing. That is the major reason I've never seriously considered a
'clave' ... the 'fishing with' sounds fine and I'm certain most of you are
better anglers than myself and I could learn a lot. But, listening to
talk about what an ass ( pick your favorite ;-) is on ROFF would mostly
ruin a day that is too precious to risk, a day out with Nature.

As I mentioned elsewhere recently I'd like to 'network' with some FFers and
use the Internet to share info on what's hot, what's not, where to park a
travel trailer for cheap etc and get together sometimes in person to BS.
But this media seems to bring out the worst in most people, from time to
time ( I first came to UseNet in '95 and have had my own domains since '96
including trying to create a 'community participation' site, before such
things existed, for retriever sports people ... I ended up shutting it down
because of the flaming asshole minority). After a flame session MY
desire to spend face to face time with the principals declines to zero.