Brian, I don�t pay for alcohol, cigarettes, or game day tickets. Have zero desire for all three. If I were to think about it, I might come up with when the last time I paid for parking was. I know the point you�re trying to make, but my point is that I see no reason to pay for what I�m not going to use. That�s why I don�t subscribe to the mag anymore.
I do not consider ponds/fish to be a rapidly evolving, fast paced, constantly changing endeavor. Or at least not applicable to my level of involvement. I have no problem paying for answers, provided I have a question in the first place. I don�t anymore. My level of knowledge is sufficient for my level of involvement with our ponds. And that knowledge came mostly from this forum. When somebody builds the ultimate BG, I�m all ears. But until that happens, those same BG that have been stocked in Hoosier ponds for the last 50 years are doing very well for me. And for my ambitions, I have them figured out as far as I need to.
I agree on the fellowship angle of attending a conference, and said so in my earlier post. That�s the draw for me. But to be blunt, taking off work and driving 1600 miles to spend a couple days, while spending several hundred dollars to do so, is to me, silly. You live in Texas. Myself and many others facing the same conundrum do not. If I�m going to take the time and spend the money, it needs to be on something for the entire family.
In other words, attending a conference does not provide an acceptable return on my investment. Harsh perhaps, but true nonetheless.
