[O' Darkness]

Hello, everyone! Please allow me to introduce myself:

My name's Deryk and I'm in my mid-forties, and live near Franklin, NC. I'm an avid guitarist, I've been playing for over thirty years, and my preferred musical genre is rock. I'm a writer by trade, and if you've ever read any instructional books for dummies, then you've probably read something I've written or edited. I also write fictional horror, and I'm working on my third novel with hopes of future professional publication. I also enjoy flying radio-controlled helicopters, and attending RC aircraft events like Joe Nall when I can.

I enjoy motorcycling, and I serve as an administrator to a sister website dedicated to the Kawasaki Vulcan 750 motorcycle.

Am I a fisherman? By definition, probably not. I do fish a few times per year as time permits and I wish I had the time to fish more often (who doesn't?). I chose to help out here because I love our beautiful state, the quiet simplicity of country living and because I enjoy learning new things.

I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone here, and serving your community as best I can! With that said, if there's anything that you believe this community needs, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll be checking in several times per day, and you can send me a direct message at any time if you want to!

Lastly, it would be a good idea to have at least one additional moderator. Do you all have someone you'd like to recommend or nominate?

Thank you for your attention, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

(PS: I'm sure you're wondering about my username. It's short for "ominous darkness". You know, like one sees in horror stories? 🙂)

 

[cbruce41]

Nice to have you aboard, OD...keep this ship on course. We all appreciate some active moderation if needed.

 

[Chris52]

Welcome…I hope that this job turns out to be an easy one for you. There is not much controversy here, as long as we don’t get into the recreation anglers VS the commercial fisherman. In the five years I have been active on this forum I can only remember 2 or 3 heated discussions and just one that got ugly.

One problem I have noticed recently is that the have been some scammers or phishers trying to sell investments, or gold, or insurance, etc. I hope you will be able to identify those and shut them down quickly (and I am NOT talking about forum members legitimately using the classifieds to sell boats, kayaks, or fishing equipment).

It would be nice if we can ’lure’ some of the former active members back from FaceBook! This used to be a very busy active forum with dozens of post each day. Things have really slowed down in the last 2 years. Can you think of ways to reach out to those folks?

 

[O' Darkness]

Welcome…I hope that this job turns out to be an easy one for you. There is not much controversy here, as long as we don’t get into the recreation anglers VS the commercial fisherman. In the five years I have been active on this forum I can only remember 2 or 3 heated discussions and just one that got ugly.

One problem I have noticed recently is that the have been some scammers or phishers trying to sell investments, or gold, or insurance, etc. I hope you will be able to identify those and shut them down quickly (and I am NOT talking about forum members legitimately using the classifieds to sell boats, kayaks, or fishing equipment).

It would be nice if we can ’lure’ some of the former active members back from FaceBook! This used to be a very busy active forum with dozens of post each day. Things have really slowed down in the last 2 years. Can you think of ways to reach out to those folks?

Thanks, Chris!

I've looked around the site and I agree that it seems to be calm and quiet. (Not sure if I just made a fishing pun or not, sort of seems like it...)

I'll be actively monitoring things like new posts and members as well as combing through the site's gallery. (You'd be surprised how many ads are surreptitiously uploaded there.) Also, don't hesitate for a moment to report anything that looks suspicious or concerning. That's why I'm here.

I can think of several ways to entice people to visit or return to the site, however, that's something that falls beyond my responsibilities here. I don't have a Facebook account, either. Even if I did, I'd have to contact the upper administration to discuss what I'm permitted to do.

In the meantime, I can try to breathe new life into the site with some renovations, additional features and active moderation. I'll do some research, ask some questions and I'll share what I learn soon.

I'm committed to improving the site in every way possible and rest assured that I'll do my best!

Thanks again, Chris!

 

[O' Darkness]

Nice to have you aboard, OD...keep this ship on course. We all appreciate some active moderation if needed.

Thank you! I'm going to do the best I can to improve the site in every way available to me!

 

[Papa-t]

Thanks for stepping up. I use to trout fish and turkey hunt in Franklin near Tellico Trout hatchery. Live in Alleghany NC.

 

[O' Darkness]

Thanks for stepping up. I use to trout fish and turkey hunt in Franklin near Tellico Trout hatchery. Live in Alleghany NC.

Nice!! If you ever get out this way, I know of some very secluded, rarely visited creeks with some rather deep pools where I've pulled out some natural (?) trout. As in, not stocked, just... there? Not far from the Cashiers/Highands area.

 

[Sam in GA]

THANK YOU! Thank You I enjoy reading even when I can't go fishing
I'm 100mi. South in Athens. Ever meet anyone named Cope in Franklin? Bobby Cope was the best woodsman I ever met. Sons are very good fishermen. And he had a very good rhubarb and blueberry patch so I would stop to visit when trout fishing up that way. another: I once went into the bank and Blairsville and said I need to see Mrs. Plott. Every lady in the bank raised their head and looked at me. The Plott boys are there also,, Plott NC's DOG.

 

[O' Darkness]

THANK YOU! Thank You I enjoy reading even when I can't go fishing
I'm 100mi. South in Athens. Ever meet anyone named Cope in Franklin? Bobby Cope was the best woodsman I ever met. Sons are very good fishermen. And he had a very good rhubarb and blueberry patch so I would stop to visit when trout fishing up that way. another: I once went into the bank and Blairsville and said I need to see Mrs. Plott. Every lady in the bank raised their head and looked at me. The Plott boys are there also,, Plott NC's DOG.

There's a lot of Copes in the Area. I could probably look him up! I've never been to Blairsville, though. I've never heard the name Plott.

Ever heard of "Popcorn" Sutton? He was a semi-famous moonshiner. (Willie Nelson actually attended his funeral.) I used to go up to Popcorn's place once a month to pick up moonshine. He was fond of the Cherokee Casino, and my brother worked there and they became very close. He bought 25 gallons of 'shine from Popcorn just before he (Popcorn) died. Then my brother died about two years later and now I have the remaining 21 gallons.

I enjoy one shot of that 'shine on New Year's, but I'm saving most of it. It's worth an absolute fortune.

You'll have to hit me up if you're ever my way. We'll have a shot of that moonshine!

 

[Lowman]

I would like to see (Keep in mind I have no idea how hard or unfeasable something is I am just freeballing here) individual lakes with there own post that we can update as we go there. Just a idea. I think this site becomes more invaluable for the fisherman who travels when they can get lake conditions on somewhere they are heading...

 

[O' Darkness]

I would like to see (Keep in mind I have no idea how hard or unfeasable something is I am just freeballing here) individual lakes with there own post that we can update as we go there. Just a idea. I think this site becomes more invaluable for the fisherman who travels when they can get lake conditions on somewhere they are heading...

This is an excellent suggestion, and it's not difficult at all! I'll get to work on it!