I remember when I first became interested in the Crappie.com forum in the winter of 2010 and being so impressed that it, (unlike other fishing forums), seemed to truly form its entire existence around the purpose of bringing crappie fisherman and "want to be" crappie fisherman of all ages, races, creeds and national origins together and encouraging all to participate in the awesome sport of crappie fishing. It also seemed to establish quite a “community” through which all might pursue their love of crappie fishing to whatever level they may choose to. I knew then, as most everyone does; crappie fishing can be as simple or as vastly complex as anyone may wish to experience or attempt to challenge the mastering of it and any and all points in between. It has something to offer everyone.
Upon closer look the more I saw that Crappie.com seemed to do so much to advance and encourage what I can only describe as a "brotherhood" across all levels of crappie fishers and to further the education, welfare and ongoing development of children, teens, adults and to the preservation and growth of the “good ole' family values” which seem to be so tragically slipping away in our culture and across our nation in the modern day. I saw Crappie.com members laughing together, crying together, praying together, supporting one another, picking and joking with each other and sharing and discussing various topics of importance and wonderment among them (even across state lines) and on virtually every state board. I recognized that this must surely be the vision and the cause that Ed Moes so affectionately refers to as “the Grassroots Community"; one that he and his team of moderators seemed to run with highest levels of vigilance, focus and excellence… assuring that its primary missions and family values always remained firmly at the forefront of all that CDC does and all that it represents to the world around it.
I saw that this "brotherhood" was far more than just some social club or social forum, like so many others nowadays; but what seemed to make it so particularly unique to me (and I’m sure to many of you) is the sense that these same “Grassroots Causes” actually go to the formation of a whole culture and/or a way of life that really works for the education, welfare and enjoyment of those who want to share their love and enthusiasm for crappie fishing and to the real "fellowship experience" that it seems to bring to the family unit and the entire membership. These efforts seem to work so well (only) because they engage so directly with real people who are constantly connecting with other real people by way of encouragement, the building of camaraderie and wholesome relationships among the membership, their families and to the attraction of like minded people to join this unique community of real people.
I also remember being impressed that Crappie.com seemed to do much to encourage member involvement in communities, the wildlife resources of those communities, counties and states, as well as to those economies and the many important fisheries management programs of every state across the country by way of licensing, tackle sales, equipment sales and federal, state, county sales taxes not to mention a very real and meaningful social value across our great country. There can be no doubt that by Crappie.com continuously encouraging the public to join in and experience this culture and/or participate in the whole sport of crappie fishing was the primary reason for my being motivated to become a member and jump in and start contributing what I could to this most worthwhile cause that I saw building or growing across the country.
I also saw, there are surprising numbers of elderly and handicapped sportsman and ex-crappie fishers, including disabled veterans, whose only real means of participation in the sport of fishing (now) may (only) be by way of the various forum topics and perhaps by having the ability to go fishing vicariously through others (when they may no longer be physically able to go themselves) and by way of what others (such as us) are willing to openly share and contribute in our ongoing reports, pictures, fishing stories and commentaries. I believe God blesses such sharing and caring as this… and we all know (or reasonably should know) that such things are good and honorable in His sight.
After nearly five years as a member: I believe our community feels that every sportsman should know that it is by Grace that we were given dominion over all things in God's Creation and complete charge over the welfare, protection and enjoyment of all of the creatures of that Creation; including all of those that walk or slither across the land, all the birds of the air and over all of the fish which swim in the waters of that Creation; which speaks wholly to what we all know and accept as our responsibilities as sportsman, as members of this community and as good stewards of that Creation. It is equally as clear that our greatest hope and ambition is to create, continue and assure a legacy of good sportsmanship, stewardship and brotherly love that will continue and thrive throughout the generations that come after us and long after each of our short times on this earth are done; a time when we too go on to be with our Creator, (as our forefathers have), having peace in knowing that we did not squander this opportunity; fail in this charge of duty; or were not thankful enough for having it so freely given to us.
This is the type of spirit and message that I hope to convey in the signature line of nearly 4,000 posts that I have made and in all the articles that I have put together or contributed through those years, which carry the following timeless proverb:
A special thanks to Ed Moes and all of the moderators and members for having such a fine website and such solid family values in all that you do.
May God Bless & Keep You & Yours,
Wayne aka Special K
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