Todd nailed it with the evolution of the fisherman, but I'd like to submit a corollary...
The evolution of the fishing website
The early days
Small site is started by someone whose gotten into fishing enough to care and has the basic computer chops to get it going with minimal hassle
The underground
A few friends and longtime guys like the relative quiet and start to post, other serious guys find out and join in. Info flows freely.
The glory days
Most of the "regulars" get clued in and join. A jocular camaraderie is established. Info flows freely.
The beginning of the end
The regulars enjoy the new board so much they stop posting on the old boards. Their absence creates a void filled by newbs and know-nothing know-it-alls. Someone wonders, why doesn't X post anymore?
The migration
Word gets out that the new board has better info than the old board. Know-nothing know-it-alls cross over, but find the old guard insulting and condescending.
The transformation
Soon the new board starts to look like the old board. Someone wonders, "where are all the fish reports"
If a few of the regulars have a lot of time on their hands, an unnatural affinity for bran muffins, and no sense of shame, then the site can morph into a free for all BS site that just happens to have some occasional fish info. Otherwise, well, I guess we are finding out.
