Quote:
Originally Posted by William Novotny
This post is not for anyone in general but mainly for those mud hens that feel the need to gossip about things they have no first hand knowledge of.
|
Man I feel for you. The bottom line is you can't control what people say and some will say anything to build themselves up and put others down.
A friend of mine runs a business associated with the kayak fishing scene. We have often talked about how people who have never met me come into his shop and not only talk shit but obviously literally hate my guts because of things they have "heard" about me. I say "heard" because like I said they do not know me and have not met me, and the things they were repeating were ridiculous lies.
It started small: on one hot bite down at La Jolla I caught larger fish then two well known guys who basically think they own one of the kayak message boards. I made a joke about it in my report on "their" board thinking we were good enough friends that we could tease each other about such things. I mean it's only fishing right?
I was wrong and the next thing I know these two had instigated a hate driven, misinformation fueled, online bullying campaign that essentially ruined my relationship with the kayak community, and even got me banned from several boards.
It was so pathetically sad. Nothing I could do could stop it, and it completely poisoned the well for me when it came to kayak fishing.
I was so into it to. I built my own kayak, bought and set up two others and in my first year of kayak fishing I caught a 27lb butt and a 40lb Yellow and really felt I was getting it dialed in.
I love to innovate and try new things but I also really love to help people.
In the boating community I'm seen as knowledgeable but also a resource because I often help people repair their boat, fix motors, and add new improvements to their skiffs. Countless fisherman have come by my shop so I could help them, but no kayakers because I'm obviously the "bad guy" in the kayak community and not to be trusted.
Thanks to BWE who let me stay on and keep posting, and a huge thanks to Gary "bubblehide" for befriending me despite all the lies. There's a guy that contacted me direct and said "Man I don't think you're getting a fair shake" and remained my friend even after they threatened him for it.
So what can you do? Burroughs said avoid the mentally ill it's a bottomless pit. Once these guys started threatening my friends and vandalizing my vehicle I just quit fishing the more popular kayak fishing destinations. It's just not worth it. Fortunately I have a skiff and a whole private boater network of guys to fish with, and plenty of other fishing opportunities so I don't really have to go where I know I'm going to find trouble.
I guess what I'm saying here is I get it and like I said you have my sympathies.
Try to realize it's not your fault. If it wasn't you it would be someone else. It's about them not you!!!
The people who do this kind of shit thrive on it. The petty drama gives them a sense of purpose and makes them feel important. For these type of people these boards and the resulting drama are sometimes the most important things in their lives. You obviously have greater priorities, concentrate on those not on these people and their games.
It's kind of initially a pain now, but over time you're going to have the last laugh. I mean imagine what you'll be feeling if these same idiots are talking the same old shit about you half a decade from now.
For some it's like a pathology, a compulsive behavior they just can not stop, and they want you to get upset and respond because it gives them affirmation. Once you don't care it's like water off a ducks back, and then their behavior becomes transparent and is exposed as the stupid petty even comical behavior it really is.
Like Gary said we just laugh about it now.
This will all pass, concentrate on what you have to do, and just try to ignore them. If you need to borrow a yak sometime I have a few just don't ask me to take my truck to Malibu