• Crappie.com: America’s Friendliest Online Fishing Community—by Special K



    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
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Crappie.com: America’s Friendliest Online Fishing Community—by Special K started by Special K View original post
    Comments 23 Comments
    1. Brimfisher's Avatar
      Brimfisher -
      Amen. Very well said. This is a very special place and group of folks.
    1. scrat's Avatar
      scrat -
      Crappie.com is #1
    1. Bob9's Avatar
      Bob9 -
      Nice!
    1. Joey Clark's Avatar
      Joey Clark -
      Very good post
    1. Anchor Man's Avatar
      Anchor Man -
      I agree with all you said and more. this site is the best and I don't know what I would have done the last several years with out it. We have met and made new friends every where we travel. BIG THANKS GOES OUT TO ED MOSES.
    1. brucec's Avatar
      brucec -
      Good read, so well said!!!!!!!!!!! Special K you're not a great artist but also a great writer!!!!!!!
    1. RetiredRR's Avatar
      RetiredRR -
      Very eloquently stated opinion and I concur 100%.
    1. crappie4me2's Avatar
      crappie4me2 -
      Can't beat this website and the folks on here.
    1. PawPaw Gene's Avatar
      PawPaw Gene -
      Special K I think you speak for most of us. Thank you for putting our feelings into words. And thanks to Ed for having the foresight to start CDC and bring it to where it is today.
      "gene"
    1. fishwalton's Avatar
      fishwalton -
      You have the knack to say what many of us feel and this is very much appreciated. The forum has brought me new friends and new fishing partners that I would not now have without this media.
    1. prefers shiners's Avatar
      prefers shiners -
      I can not think of anything I could add to what you have said.....except, AMEN........
    1. shadow's Avatar
      shadow -
      Very well put! Thanks for posting, as I believe this is the vast majority opinion. And a special thanks to Ed for all he has done for this board!
    1. Barnacle Bill's Avatar
      Barnacle Bill -
      Great write-up!!
    1. LouisianaFishNut's Avatar
      LouisianaFishNut -
      Well said Sp-K! And I really like that crappie logo at the top. Is that a CDC sticker or just something done digitally for a picture?
    1. Special K's Avatar
      Special K -
      I appreciate the responses, comments and kind words about this article from everyone. I was quite confident that the things I brought forward in this piece were things that all of us felt and appreciated about our CDC Community, the moderators, the members and the site owner, Ed Moes. We truly have a great thing going on that I feel sure will only continue to get better and better as time goes forward.
      May God Bless You & Yours. Wayne aka Special K
    1. Special K's Avatar
      Special K -
      Quote Originally Posted by LouisianaFishNut View Post
      Well said Sp-K! And I really like that crappie logo at the top. Is that a CDC sticker or just something done digitally for a picture?
      LouisianaFishNut: The design you are speaking of that you like so much in the header graphic is something I threw together for this thread (using my own crappie fish drawings) and currently is not a logo or a sticker that is in production or available for order. I usually make most of my own graphics for all of my posts (especially lately to avoid copyright hassles) and this is just a banner that I built to illustrate this particular thread topic. Perhaps there will be enough interest in it (or something like it) that it may be available in the future.
    1. Scoot's Avatar
      Scoot -
      I really liked this article. It truly puts in words what we all feel. I really liked the article. VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER. THANKS
    1. LouisianaFishNut's Avatar
      LouisianaFishNut -
      Quote Originally Posted by Special K View Post
      LouisianaFishNut: The design you are speaking of that you like so much in the header graphic is something I threw together for this thread (using my own crappie fish drawings) and currently is not a logo or a sticker that is in production or available for order. I usually make most of my own graphics for all of my posts (especially lately to avoid copyright hassles) and this is just a banner that I built to illustrate this particular thread topic. Perhaps there will be enough interest in it (or something like it) that it may be available in the future.
      Well, it looks nice! Wouldn't mind having one if they ever end up in production.
    1. Dave and Lynn's Avatar
      Dave and Lynn -
      Well written.
    1. "D"'s Avatar
      "D" -
      Thanks Wayne. Well said.
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