I keep reading these threads about the "Potlickers", so I pulled out my World Atlas to try and find where in the world 'Potlickia' is located, in hopes of learning more about their culture. Guess what, it doesn't exist!
I have been as guilty as anyone when it comes to getting PO'ed at other anglers/boaters that encroach within my "comfort zone" while I'm out fishing.
My friends and family would actually make bets with each other on how long it would take before I cussed someone out during a fishing trip. There was normally a winner before we got the boat launched and left the dock!
I have always thought of my method of dealing with ignorant or rude people as a "tough love" sort of thing. If someone doesn't tell them the error of their ways, then they will continue doing it.
I still hold this mentality, but I have been (trying) to take a kindler, more gentle approach towards it. This revelation came about when I was getting ready to pull my boat out after a long, hot day on the pond at POC last year.
I was by myself and had already docked my vessel and was sitting in my truck waiting for two college age guys to load their boat and get out of (my) way. Well it was about like watching two monkeys trying to have sex with a basketball! They had the trailer backed in up to the winch and couldn't get it to sit right on the rollers, so they would back up and pull up and back up again. Meanwhile, I'm sitting in my truck suffering from heat stroke and wanting to go take a cold shower, and getting madder and madder, and just when I'm about to cuss them out like a couple of stray dogs, it hit me! I thought to myself, maybe they need some help?
So I get out of my truck and walk down the ramp and asked them if I could help them out. They actually looked shocked at first, but said; "Yes sir, we can't get it to sit on the rollers right". So I proceeded to explain to them the problem of having the trailer in too deep, etc. and they pulled it out enough to where you could at least SEE the trailer, and shazzam', they got it right out! They were happy, I was happy, and all the birds began to sing!
Let's stop all of this hate and anger and try and help one another at the ramp, out on the water, and on Monty's great web-site!
These forums could be an excellent venue to help teach the inexperienced
anglers about proper conduct on the water and the do's & don'ts at the ramps, but with all of this name calling and reticule, my guess is that most of them are afraid to ask for fear of being called a "Potlicker" or something along those lines.
The next time that you are sitting in line at the ramp, try getting out of the truck and assisting your fellow anglers in getting launched and on their way.
I bet you will be surprised at the gratitude others will express towards you for offering to lend a hand.
But you better do it in a hurry, because I don't know how long this new attitude of mine will last!
Sorry, I couldn't resist...
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