I love westernbass.com, Tony S. and Bob D.

Johnny C · Post by **Johnny C** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:33 am

Bob I have met you and your lovely wife at the Rally's. My conversations with you were very enjoyable. You and your wife have many fans on this site including myself. But I think old Cooch said it best that this must of been a bad day for you. Because I feel your post is was not from the Bob I know.

We have a wonderful site here and we shoould be thankful. Bass fishing to me is the greatest fun in the world..Lets not attack each other!!!!

Tony you go out of your way to bring knowledge to all of us and I say thank you. I am looking forward to shooting the video with you next week at New Hogan. Hopefully I can catch some fish and show the nutcases what a fun lake this is and maybe help in the learning curve for some new bass addicts.

Bob DeLorenzi · Post by **Bob DeLorenzi** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:35 pm

Thanks Johnny for your kind words.... maybe we can all get together for a group hug, uh no, probably a bad idea! Jenny and I also enjoyed hanging out with you and Tony and everyone at the rally and look forward to it next year unless I'm blackballed from attending!
Carp and banana cookout - YUM!

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:28 pm

It's all good Bob, with great respect and admiration ya came back in and posted a clarification of yer original post. Unfortunately, some times when we post, the words just don't come out as we intend them too. I've locked that post so as to let it pass on, but left it as I believe there is indeed a greater value behind the intent of yer original message, and that is the passion most of us share in spreading the importance of each and every one of us practicing and preaching catch and release to the best of our ability.

And rest assured, no way ya is getting blackballed outa the next Rally, infact rumor has it, Gator and Dewayne have already assured us that yer presence will be require as they've already casted their two votes and put ya on the Numbnut ballot! HAR! HAR! HAR!

Good luck out there buddy!

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 6:48 am

A nutcase would really have to do something totally drastic to be blackballed ( Ibelieve). We are all able to give our opinion, but as you seen what came out was taken further than you probably meant it and boy can some of us clobber. Bottom line is we all have the same line of thought and it will work out in the end. That is another reason this site and the nutcase's are super people.. Tight lines and good health.. Bill K

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:19 am

Bob DeLorenzi wrote:Thanks Johnny for your kind words.... maybe we can all get together for a group hug, uh no, probably a bad idea! Jenny and I also enjoyed hanging out with you and Tony and everyone at the rally and look forward to it next year unless I'm blackballed from attending!
Carp and banana cookout - YUM!

Bob,

I consider us to be friends. I'm not sure why this whole thing got started but I want to put a couple of points to rest here and now. I've never blackballed anybody from our events and, in fact, have never banned anyone from using the website. I actually do very little moderating of the site and it takes a severe breach of our rules for me to delete a post. Some one in the original post made a comment about "sTony's ego". I got a kick out of that because I certainly do, as most competitive bass anglers, have a goodly sized ego. I don't think I've let the ego run wild on these pages though and lord knows, for those that know me personally and see me regularly, I'm pretty much a moving target for their fun and games and I've always welcomed that. As with everyone else posting here I do put my two cents out there for folks to read and indeed sometimes I post points intended to stir the pot a little or just to get folks to take in a different perspective. I've been doing this bass fishing thing for most my life and I've worn many hats during that time so I think I have something to offer but I surely don't expect anyone to follow my words like gospel and I know there will be many with contrary opinions.

I put that photo because, despite its demise, it was a larger then normal fish. I also had very few new photos to chose from and I rotate out photos during the week on an almost daily basis and sometimes even more frequent then that but this past week the choices were limited.

Recently I've spent a lot of time with the website in ways I'm not all that happy about. Deleting reports that bash guides or that bash others because they report good trips when other, more jealous folks aren't having similar results. Running down the many threads on the DFG, playing referee between warring bass clubs and other tournament orgs and so on. I've seen a upsurge in porn sites spamming our forums with lewd photos that kids should never have to look at ever. It's been tough on our moderators as of late and I think I've hit a break point with it all.

I do appreciate all the good thoughts and good will that came out of the recent thread from so many folks that use this website. Thank you all so very much. At the same time I've been doing this for nearly a decade now and I'm thinking it might be time to turn the reins over to someone with a fresh outlook and perspective.

For Bob and Jenny, I still do and will always consider you guys to be friends. Nothing can change that.

sTony

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:11 am

`Face it Tony...

You've just become one of us Grumpy Old Men

Git yer script filled

and have a GREAT weekend

Guy Kelley · Post by **Guy Kelley** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 2:30 pm

sTony, I have know you for quite a while, and to say that you are one of the most fair, even-tempered guy's I know is by no means a understatement. having to run a web and monitor a site that is constantly filled with stuff from posters that most times we dont even see half of, must be to say the least draining at best.

Then to turn around and be required to defend your self and youre work is I personely think a bit much. But you do and with a smile on your face to boot.

I beleve that most people forget the fact that this is a free site with which they are able to express them self's under our countrys constatution as in a free socity. But unfortuanly you will allways have a few who just want to play devels addvicet just to put a smile on there own face, most times under cover and in the dark. sort of reminds me of the terrorest who hide behind vails and mask. But scream how they are so righest. with God on there side.

Way back when the web site was called N.C.B.Y.F. my son and I could see the good of what you were trying to create and the tough roe you had to hoe ahead of you, Now 10 years latter your still at it working hard with your passon for your dream.

Please Stony dont loose sight of the dream and dont forget the passion you had and have for what its all about. The nay sayers will allways be around nipping at your heels. but in the long run it really is all about you, your love for our sport and the home of Western Bass you have Created. This is your house Stony we only are visitors here in the first place. the least we can do is wipe our shoes off at the front door and show a little respect for the owner and his guest.

Jenny · Post by **Jenny** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:36 pm

"I've worn many hats during that time so I think I have something to offer"

er, Tony I think you look really handsome in the hat you're wearing now and I've seen you in your socks before
(remember the rally on the Delta summer of 04? you were fishing in your socks)

"Recently I've spent a lot of time with the website in ways I'm not all that happy about"

kind of like running a day care center, huh?

Remember what chiquita said "Place sticker on forehead, Smile"