Thank you, BassResource

[Alex Ball]

     To anyone who reads this that willingly gives out real knowledge on here(so everyone pretty much): 

     Thank you. I started fishing because I was a "fixer" in the Fast Food industry during Covid. I'd go to bad joints and help get em off the bottom of the group table. It was particularly hard during this time. 

    Fishing was my escape from madness and indoor isolation. This website was and is my Rosetta Stone. I asked dumb questions and got smart answers. I learned. 

    I did not receive the same hospitality from local anglers where I started. I almost gave up and just went back to vegging out on Xbox. A death sentence for the soul. 

   Then, I found BR. It was accidental. RangerJockey and Bulldog answered my first questions. RJ is someone I consider a friend now. I can count all mine on 4 fingers. Got a Cetus because of Bulldog. Anytime I want to be the star, I bring that gold reel out. It's a conversation piece. 

    I learn everything I know from here and a local guide I'm fortunate to have a friend in. 

    I was in a really bad place when I found BR. I have mental troubles(Autism/PTSD) and socializing is almost unbearable. This website gave me a place to talk. A place to communicate. A place to not be alone. 

     I'm not sure if this has ever been said on here, but this forum group saved me from myself. I know, I sound like a redditor RN. LoL. But for real, thank you all. 

    My Dad and Brother recently told me if fishing is what caused me to get better, then I better keep fishing. It was, but so was this site. I never fit in. Ever. Here I do. There's something for everyone. Even me. 

    Thank you, BR. The life you radically altered for the better was mine. 

   

  Al.

[DaubsNU1]

[GreenPig]

Excellent. 

[ironbjorn]

You can be passionate about both gaming and fishing. I am. Don't let previous generations and social stigmas dictate what you love. Gaming is no different than watching TV, browsing the Internet, or even casually reading books. The idea that it's a loser hobby is boomer and Gen X mentality from the 90s and 00s. Science has since disprove them on all fronts (good for the brain, good for reaction time, helps maintain good decision making and lessens the chance of neurological disorders, etc). It's not good to game all day as it's not good to watch TV all day, but the hobby in and of itself isn't bad nor does it produce brain rot - quite the opposite. It's not gaming's fault that people already suffering brain rot can't be bothered to touch grass and give it a bad name. But it's similar to the marijuana issue. Old timers will smash a rack of Busche and scold you about a blunt. Similarly they will sit in front of the TV and scold you about gaming. It's all nonsense. We need to start understanding each other better, and understanding technological changes with each generation. Get out and fish as much as possible. It's way better for mental and physical health than gaming is, but gaming isn't inherently bad. You're allowed to have several hobbies. I also play pool (8 ball, 9 ball) as a third passionate hobby, so I'm frequently in bars. That doesn't make me an alcoholic. Enjoy life, man. Your way.

[A-Jay]

9 hours ago, Alex Ball said:

    This website was and is my Rosetta Stone.

I asked dumb questions and got smart answers.

I learned.  

Hello Al ~

I know I'm not the only one who is glad to hear that you are making it happen.

I've been here a while, and this forum is my church.

Outstanding Membership included. 

Your passage quoted above is both insightful and IMO,

the captures the very essence of what Bass Resources is all about.

Fish Had

A-Jay 

[Alex Ball]

7 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

You can be passionate about both gaming and fishing. I am. Don't let previous generations and social stigmas dictate what you love. Gaming is no different than watching TV, browsing the Internet, or even casually reading books. The idea that it's a loser hobby is boomer and Gen X mentality from the 90s and 00s. Science has since disprove them on all fronts (good for the brain, good for reaction time, helps maintain good decision making and lessens the chance of neurological disorders, etc). It's not good to game all day as it's not good to watch TV all day, but the hobby in and of itself isn't bad nor does it produce brain rot - quite the opposite. It's not gaming's fault that people already suffering brain rot can't be bothered to touch grass and give it a bad name. But it's similar to the marijuana issue. Old timers will smash a rack of Busche and scold you about a blunt. Similarly they will sit in front of the TV and scold you about gaming. It's all nonsense. We need to start understanding each other better, and understanding technological changes with each generation. Get out and fish as much as possible. It's way better for mental and physical health than gaming is, but gaming isn't inherently bad. You're allowed to have several hobbies. I also play pool (8 ball, 9 ball) as a third passionate hobby, so I'm frequently in bars. That doesn't make me an alcoholic. Enjoy life, man. Your way.

    Oh I still play games on Xbox. I meant that just doing that and working a high stress job wasn't a good combo. Fishing really helped. 

   I'm a lifetime mmj cardholder. I was one of the first in Arkansas to get that designation because my disability is considered devastating. 

[BigAngus752]

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, this is the best forum site on the internet.  I have a plethora of hobbies and I am a member of numerous (probably too many) forums.  The people on BR bear no resemblance to typical keyboard jockeys and that is due entirely to @Glenn and the outstanding people he has chosen to help him with this forum.  It's not just informative, it's comfortable, peaceful and supportive.  You've found the right place.  Glad you're here.  

[Skunkmaster-k]

You’re welcome. 

[BrianMDTX]

Let me tell you something. Your post just made my day. Truly, it did. 
 

I’ve found that fishing really takes my mind off things and gives me true peace. And this site has taught me many ways to improve my fishing. From rods, reels and line, baits of all types, fishing gear, you name it. It’s a true treasure. 

[Alex Ball]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

Let me tell you something. Your post just made my day. Truly, it did. 
 

I’ve found that fishing really takes my mind off things and gives me true peace. And this site has taught me many ways to improve my fishing. From rods, reels and line, baits of all types, fishing gear, you name it. It’s a true treasure. 

   I just felt the need to say it out loud. This forum definitely has been a major part of my progress in life. I love this site. 

11 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

 The people on BR bear no resemblance to typical keyboard jockeys and that is due entirely to @Glenn and the outstanding people he has chosen to help him with this forum.  It's not just informative, it's comfortable, peaceful and supportive.  You've found the right place.  Glad you're here.  

 Absolutely. I myself am on several Reddit groups and I moderate a couple. This is the polar opposite of Reddit. Everyone is on the same team. It's refreshing. I get advice from @WRB quite regular. He also helps me plan my next post in a way. He'll make a suggestion on a topic, I'll post and because he's him, he posts and it snowballs. Quite effective. 

     It's a wonderful group. 

[Alex Ball]

22 hours ago, DaubsNU1 said:

    This made my day. 

[Bazoo]

Awesome story, thank you for sharing.

 

As far as hobbies go, I have several.

 

•fishing: I have only one good memory of my Dad; at age 5, he took me fishing. He then commenced to do donuts in the field and hollered "Hold on Bazoo!" Hence my nickname. I was all in for fishing from about 13 until I was 18, then it started to wane until I took a break due to life circumstances at around age 24. Now I've been back at it full force for a year and really I enjoy learning new techniques and collecting lures. The old passion came back as strong as it ever was.

 

•hunting: I enjoy hunting, but not as much as fishing. You can't catch and release a deer, and after you catch one, that's when the work begins. I love being in the woods though, and I love packing a gun with me.

 

•guns, casting bullets, and reloading: A love of guns and gun trading took away from my fishing at 18, but I still fished some. I started reloading and casting, and that has ended up being just as rewarding as the gun hobby itself. I settled down my trading, and I have decided that single actions and leverguns are more my speed than anything else. 

 

•knives: I've been a knife nut since I was about 10 years old and got an Old Timer for Christmas. I promptly stabbed myself in the hand whilst opening another present. I don't collect in the traditional sense. I enjoy finding a cool knife at a yardsale or fleamarket, cleaning it up and passing it on. I have a select handful that I won't get rid of, but I enjoy trying new to me patterns.

 

•chess: When I was a kid I learned how to play, but never had anyone to play with until I got a job and we played on break/lunch. I now play on chess.com and I'd be glad to have a game with any of my fellow bassresource family. Bazoo_II is my username.

 

•scrabble: I remember playing with my granny when I was probably about 12. It didn't make any sense then, but now... I love it. Partly because I love words, especially archaic or out of the norm words. There is a strategy involved in Scrabble that I enjoy. My best game so far is 521 against my wife.

 

•church: Without going into religious conversation, I enjoy doing things with my church family. Not only the Sunday service, but Wednesday night bible study (including vittles) and the other activities they do. For example, we recently went to the zoo as a church. It was interesting and somewhat scary to see the rhinoceros. I then contemplated if a 45-70 would suffice for such an endeavor. We also do hayrides in the fall and have a lot of potlucks. For 4th of July, we had fireworks and a meal. They are my family, and I enjoy spending time with them. They are always asking if I can be counted on for a fish fry... to which I adamantly respond that I am "catch and release only."

 

•history: I love history, the history of the west, and of guns and their use in the settlement thereof. I probably spend the least amount of time on this hobby, but I'm always picking up little tidbits here and there.

 

•woodworking: I am a carpenter. I have been tinkering with wood since I was 10 years old. I whittle, combining both my love of wood and knives, and if I whittle a lure, combining those with fishing. I enjoy whittling spoons and Christmas ornaments. I like making small boxes and the like.

 

I go through spurts where each hobby is at the forefront, but I always have a dabble of each going regardless of which one I'm focusing on at the present.