What to do in this situation?!

[-nick-]

This might be a long story and I'll start from the top.Well I just got into bass fishing last year at the beginning of summer and my friend and I would go to a place in his aunts neighborhood where they had a "lake" which wasn't much bigger than a pond. It was a great place to fish from shore and catch decent size bass and occasionally 'nessy'. This neighborhoods lake was man made so the people that lived there paid extra for it, and you had to have a pass to fish there, which we had but the pass said 2005 on it. Well anyways off and on this old man wearing a button up shirt that was unbuttoned leaving his stomach exposed and white shorts would come out to where we were fishing and talk to us. Well he seemed to be a little sketch when first meeting him. At first he was nice and every once and a while would ask us if we lived there and what not. Anyways needless to say he didn't mind us fishing there since we weren't any trouble. Well then we brought a jon boat out there to put in there and he got all ticked off saying this and that about the rules and we didn't live there and he was going to call the police. Then we go out there the next time and he comes out there talking to us like nothing. THEN the next time we pull into the mini 2 spot parking space and he was outside with i guess his son? He comes up to us telling us we can't fish there because whoever lives in the neighborhood had to be with us at all times. Needless to say i got upset and asked to see where it says that in the rules and sure enough he went and got it. Either way, it was a bad situation and he's not a guy i want to tick off if you know what i mean, especially since he would tell us sketchy war stories of him killing men in the war. We had ran into many people in the neighborhood before, and the FEW that asked if we had the pass, when we showed them they said ok and had no problem with us fishing. Now this was the end of fall last year right around the time of calling it quits because of the freezing weather, so we figured we'd wait till spring and maybe he'd be fine. Well spring comes around its a nice day out....me and my friend gathered out fresh lures from christmas along with our courage and headed out there. Well we get out there and an hour or so in we see him walking to my friends car. We don't do anything but keep fishing. Right around the time we were calling it quits we start packing up our stuff and i looked up and there were 2 sheriffs pulling in behind our car. So we sit there and wait for them to get down to the bank and tell them how we have the pass and stuff. Well they seemed upset that the guy even called them about this and said they enjoyed fishing as well and hate to have to run us off but they had to because it said it in the little rule book. They tell us to go to city hall and we can purchase a pass that is in date for 100$ to fish all year. So we got NO spring fishing in at all and i had to suddenly leave for the summer. Well in august when i got back obviously im wanting to fish again but i've picked up my old hobby again of playing paintball...which is extremely expensive. Recently i managed to scrape up enough money to buy the pass which is good b/c fall fishing is my favorite anyways. My friend went off to a college away and I'm still close by so if i get the pass i will be by myself. Which gets to my final question of, after getting the pass...should i go up to his door and knock on it and tell him sorry for all the trouble before but now i've got the pass and just want to fish or something like that? or should i just go out there and fish? I know if i go out and fish like nothing he WILL come out there and talk and i don't want that i just want him to know i have the pass and to leave me alone. If you have read this whole thing thanks haha but any suggestions? I know he sits at home all day because on the times he came out and talked before he tells us stories and wouldn't stop talking and eventually told us he stays home all day. oh yeah...and he always has a huge knife strapped to his belt. Thanks for getting through this story and thanks for the suggestions in advance!

[RoLo]

From what you've described, it sounds like you're dealing with a lonely old man.

He doesn't seem to mind if you guys fish the pond, as long as he gets the opportunity to talk to someone.

If it were me, I'd be nice to the fellow, not only would it cost you nothing,

but you can only benefit in the long run.

Roger

[rat-l-trapper]

Personally I'd be ticked that he called the cops. If it were me there's no way I'd apologize, although I'd still be friendly to him. He does sound like a lonely old guy but it sounds like he went to far with the police. You really know best though, you're the one that's met him. Do what you think is right.

[Grey Wolf]

Let me see you were fishing there ill-legally because your pass was invalid and now you have an up to date pass to fish there.

Go fish there  , you have no reason to go knocking on his door , if he comes down to where you are fishing and starts raising hell just show him your pass.

[-nick-]

Let me see you were fishing there ill-legally because your pass was invalid and now you have an up to date pass to fish there.

Go fish there , you have no reason to go knocking on his door , if he comes down to where you are fishing and starts raising hell just show him your pass.

Yeah this is what i WANT to do. He lives right beside where i park so i know for sure he will know when i get there and after i show him the pass he'd probably try and stay there and talk ruining the first day back of fishing. It just tickss me off because its not like it's over crowded, and to pay 100 dollars to fish in an oversized pond is rediculous....its just the only place around to fish. :-/

[-nick-]

From what you've described, it sounds like you're dealing with a lonely old man.

He doesn't seem to mind if you guys fish the pond, as long as he gets the opportunity to talk to someone.

If it were me, I'd be nice to the fellow, not only would it cost you nothing,

but you can only benefit in the long run.

Roger

He has a wife somehow. And we WOULD be nice to him we loved his stories. At one point he even said that pass wasn't valid but he didn't care he wouldn't tell anyone because we weren't hurting anything. THEN he comes around threatening to sue us and call the cops? There is something wrong with him.

[J-B]

As long as you have the pass, go enjoy yourself. I have been up and down that road many times at my fathers subdivision. Many of the people there now know me but quite a few others are sticklers for the rules and want to check on everything. They have had issues with many unauthorized people fishing their lake and keeping all the fish that they paid to have stocked. I have had the local police called on me many times and I have gotten to know a few of them because of it (which I like because when the caller sees them come out and start joking around with me it really irritates them). Just keep in your mind that some old people (and many young) go through mood swings due to either medication or other issues. Like the others said, just be polite to them and in time it may pay off for you. Just my 2 cents.

[Fishbone]

Drown him. ;D

[grimlin]

He's a lonely,lonely guy.Sounds like there is something wrong with him.Not quite right in the head.If i were you try to be friendly when he does come at you,no matter what he tries to pull.

If he comes out again just show him your pass and say "Excuse me,but I really don't have time to talk today." Then walk away. If he calls the cops and those cops see you have a pass that guy is going to get into a lot of trouble for calling the cops. Cops do not like to have to make these kind of runs.

If you have to get a pass every year to fish that water I would.....It'll keep him and the cops off your back.Just do everything legally and ignore him as much as you can.

P.S. I used to play paintball too.It got too expensive,so i quit playing and gave all my stuff away to my best friend.  ;D I rather be fishing.

[-nick-]

He's a lonely,lonely guy.Sounds like there is something wrong with him.Not quite right in the head.If i were you try to be friendly when he does come at you,no matter what he tries to pull.

If he comes out again just show him your pass and say "Excuse me,but I really don't have time to talk today." Then walk away. If he calls the cops and those cops see you have a pass that guy is going to get into a lot of trouble for calling the cops. Cops do not like to have to make these kind of runs.

If you have to get a pass every year to fish that water I would.....It'll keep him and the cops off your back.Just do everything legally and ignore him as much as you can.

P.S. I used to play paintball too.It got too expensive,so i quit playing and gave all my stuff away to my best friend. ;D I rather be fishing.

Yeah I'm always nice as can be unless he's being mean. Adressing him yes sir no sir and what not. I guess if he did come out there to check out the pass and then stayed the rest the time i fished it wouldn't be that big of a deal...IF that happened it's only one morning/night of bad fishing and I'll still have the rest of the year!

thanks for all the input guys!

[InLikeFinz]

I agree with these guys. Play it cool and keep doing what your doing. I wouldn't want to set off a guy who carries a knife on his belt. Just to be on the safe side I would always go with a buddy. (cough, I live near Winston btw, haha!) Sounds like he's just bored and wants to talk.

[TrippyJai]

No need to apologize to him. The next time he comes out of his house, tell him you have a valid pass and ask him politely to leave you alone. If he doesn't back off, you can call the cops of him. Simple enough.

[looking4structure]

as they say...you'll catch more bees with honey man...i'd talk to him and sugar coat what ever turd there may be between y'all...so there isn't that possible added stress factor or awkwardness or whatever...clear the air with the old dude & make peace...be better all around...

x2

[GRiver]

Go fishing...If you see him and he ask, show him your pass. I agree with Highpounder...No need for extra stress and bull...The end results are... "you'll be fishing".

[Lund Explorer]

Which gets to my final question of, after getting the pass...should i go up to his door and knock on it and tell him sorry for all the trouble before but now i've got the pass and just want to fish or something like that?

or should i just go out there and fish? I know if i go out and fish like nothing he WILL come out there and talk and i don't want that i just want him to know i have the pass and to leave me alone.

as they say...you'll catch more bees with honey man...i'd talk to him and sugar coat what ever turd there may be between y'all...so there isn't that possible added stress factor or awkwardness or whatever...clear the air with the old dude & make peace...be better all around...

And if its possible, why not take a second pole along.  Invite the guy to join you in the fishing.  Sounds like you've seen him at his worst, so you may want to see him at his potential best.  Nobody ever got hurt making a new friend.

[-nick-]

Which gets to my final question of, after getting the pass...should i go up to his door and knock on it and tell him sorry for all the trouble before but now i've got the pass and just want to fish or something like that?

or should i just go out there and fish? I know if i go out and fish like nothing he WILL come out there and talk and i don't want that i just want him to know i have the pass and to leave me alone.

as they say...you'll catch more bees with honey man...i'd talk to him and sugar coat what ever turd there may be between y'all...so there isn't that possible added stress factor or awkwardness or whatever...clear the air with the old dude & make peace...be better all around...

And if its possible, why not take a second pole along. Invite the guy to join you in the fishing. Sounds like you've seen him at his worst, so you may want to see him at his potential best. Nobody ever got hurt making a new friend.

Definately not the idea I'm leaning towards, I'll be nice but friends is pushing it. He's already on the fritts and just not someone I want to be around. He heard a gun shot in the neighborhood one time i was fishing and he was talking with us. I was like, what the hell. And he said, sounds like a .22. If he's going to be shooting off his .22 I'll go and shoot off my guns.

[nUgZ]

If you haven't already gotten the pass, don't.  I can't imagine the fishing is that good.  I live in Kernersville, but used to live in Winston and there are a ton of good places to fish around here.  Shoot me a PM if you want and maybe I can give you some ideas.

[Big Phish]

I agree with nugz about the pass just because I'm sure there are plenty of places to fish close to you with a regular NC fishing license.  But if the fishing is good I would simply ignore the old nut job.  If he called the cops on you for fishing in a neighborhood I'm sure you aunt pays plenty of money to live in, screw him.  If he tries to talk to you, ignore him and if he calls the cops just show them the pass.