03-25-2002, 12:31 PM
Don't give up on clubs yet! Do join one, as long as you know in advance what it will cost in all expenses per year. You'll be there to evaluate it's rules, membership, competiveness between members, laid-back verus cut-throat etc. You must fish with them at a tournament at least 2 outings to see what I'm talking about; (which is usually the try out time for new members to be evaluated before being voted in.) <br><br>If there is any possibility that you can overlook some of the deficiencies for a tournament year, by all means join. Your learning curve will sky rocket because seeing even an [censored] catch fish is a valuable learning experience that, for better or worse, will stay with you for the rest of your life.<br><br>On the other hand, if you can get a to go with someone regualrly, (friend, neighbor, stranger you happen to invite to fish with you while in Walmart's fishing dept.), do it. Club fishing is your first option because of the exposure to talent and varied experiences, as well as fishing a variety of different waters. You'll never realize how important those observed lessons are, with major emphasis on observed versus expecting to be taught. Share info and experiences, but observe and make notes of what worked, as well as what variations pop into your head. Fishing is all about imagination (even when your daydreaming at work), confidence building, experimentation, open mindedness at all times and the life-long quest for the solutions to the infinite questions that come at you as you fish more and more. <br><br>Fishing alone may be alright for some, but fishing with an avid, experienced angler is the ultimate learning experience, even if they're an [censored] bent on winning the classic.<br><br>