Although I make it obvious what I do for a living, I like to fish and meet new (like-minded) people too. I even offer a half-priced guide trip, which is basically at cost, and in that trip my guests learn more about where to go, what to do, what to throw, than they would learn in 4-6 trips on their own, costing much more than just that day with me. Keep in mind, the trip price is half off, but the service is still 100% on. I have several folks that take advantage of this discount every year, and I am more than happy to have them aboard. The BG Runs have been the means in which I have met many of the great folks here at SDFish, and those relationships have been priceless. Most of you are still on my call list for when I get a free day, and you know who you are. In the past few months however, I have been shunned twice, and stood up three times. And, on a recent trip to Diamond Valley, it cost me $135.00, and the guy I took gave me $25. I didn’t make a fuss. He pitched in, and we had a good time. However, in looking over my books for the year, and with the recent declination in manners, I can no longer afford to do these types of trips.

This is not so much a gripe as a warning. If you are invited to go with someone on their ‘backseat’, it is proper to offer to pay for all lake fees, and pitch in for gas. Yes, Both. Boats have expenses beyond that day, and you are getting a bargain versus owning or renting. Also, it doesn’t hurt to offer to help clean the boat. If you want cold drinks, offer to pitch in for drinks, and/or ice. If you want to throw live bait, ask if you can, and offer to pay for it. If you offer all this, and the other person gives you a ‘don’t worry about it,’ you have at least done your part. If you don’t at least offer, then do not be surprised if that person never invites you again.

If a buddy invites you to the movies, don’t you at least offer to buy the popcorn? If you are invited to dinner at someone’s house, do you not offer to do the dishes? If you can’t make it to an invited event, do you not call and say so? Whatever happened to manners and propriety? I believe they exist, but are more the exception than the norm. Can we please all work together to change this?