Ok Bill, let's get some things straight. First, I'm not rich, in fact, I'm
not even well off, far from it. I work extremely hard for everything I own,
and have learned that QUALITY is far better than QUANTITY. So, for ME, I
would rather scrimp and save to own one top end G.Loomis/Shimano combo than
have four or more combos of lesser quality. Now that doesn't mean I look
down on anyone that uses a rod of lesser quality.

Second, I would love to own a row-boat right now. I gave my boat away when
I became a sponsored angler (because I thought I would be sponsored
forever). So when I loss my sponsorship, I loss my boat & truck. Now I am
grateful when a friend loans me their boat or takes me out for a day of
fishing.

Third, I may joke with people that fish for other species than bass, but it
is only me joking around. I try and spend some time every Sunday with a
group of old farts that fish for carp like I fish for bass. I go salmon
fishing at least once a year with one of them old farts (most are in their
late 60's, and old Elmer is 84).

When I teach kids about fishing, and I don't get a chance to do that as much
anymore, I always started them fishing for Crappie, Perch and Bluegill. It
is just easier for them to catch fish that way. I did the same thing for
all the homeless folks that live along the shore and under the bridges. In
fact, I use to buy them those K-Mart IM7 rods and cheap shimano reels and a
panfish starter kit. Give a man a fish, they eat for a day, teach a man to
fish and they can feed themselves forever. Sadly, I can't afford to do that
too often anymore either and I miss doing it. Some of the tales those folks
can tell you are just pretty freak'n amazing. I could sit and listen to
them for hours. Same reason I spend time with the old farts. I love to
hear their old tales and learn about the lake back in the old days. Sorry
for going off on a sidebar.

I don't think anyone here truly looks down on people using lower end
equipment or that fish for other species. I think we jab, joke, and play
with people, and since you cannot see the expression on the person's face,
you can't tell they are kidding around. I know I'm guilty of that myself -
thinking someone is being rude, when in fact they were joking.

--
Craig