State of NDA

[Vollmer]

Just a few things.

First, I understand that we are in the dog days of winter, and we are all chomping at the bit for open water. Many of us are getting anxious, frustrated, and flat out cooped up! Due to this, I have been getting quite a few "reports" and "complaints" from multiple members. All I will ask is that we all try extra hard to be somewhat civil through the rest of winter. I know this can be a bit of a good ole boys club, but we don't want to be scaring away new members.

Second, I am seeing far too many posts that are borderline political, but then become full blown political. Please, if your post/thread is intended to be political, put it in the political section. Contrary to some beliefs, the vast majority do not come to an outdoors site for the political fights. Most outdoor sites don't allow it at all, and I would prefer to not have to go that route.

Third, I would like to thank everyone that has made the adjustment to the new site, and stuck around. I know change can suck, so I get it. In the end, I feel like we have a better product for you guys to enjoy.

We still have one of the best collection's of outdoorsmen in the upper midwest. I'm proud to be a small part of that.

 

[johnr]

Its guy who is causing the ruckus isn't it?

 

[risingsun]

Well said V. And yes more than likely Guy. Dang starter.

 

[KDM]

Damn low ear infiltrators!!!

 

[CatDaddy]

Very well put V. I think everyone needs to get out and fish more!

 

[Vollmer]

Very well put V. I think everyone needs to get out and fish more!

Me included. Hopefully a run up to Winni will help.

 

[guywhofishes]

Its guy who is causing the ruckus isn't it?

Gaaaaa!!!!

 

[ndfinfan]

Very well put V. I think everyone needs to get out and fish more!

Spot on Cat...I did my part Saturday on the Bon...Walter did not cooperate but man what a nice afternoon! V is right, dog days of winter start to wear on everyone. Plus, don't know about anyone else, but far as I'm concerned, mother nature owes us a damn early nice spring after that shizzle she dumped on us last April...that backed up spring 3 weeks! But I'm not bitter or anything!

 

[svnmag]

When the piggies have to wallow in response to their idiocy they squeal and squeal. One of my fondest Air Farce memories is a delayed flight due to no vegetarian meals in the galley and a squad leader being admonished for not confirming everyone's preferred diet. This was in the late 90's. Can you guess the weight and gender?...Can you imagine what it's like now? That is all.

 

[db-2]

I find when i am force to fish i get bitchy. But i have found other projects i look forward too.

Yes, this winter has been sucking for some time now. db

 

[Zogman]

Spot on V. I deleted one of my posts and am going thru all of the most recent ones.

 

[lunkerslayer]

Yep so have I don't want to mistake a non political thread as a political one, best to just delete all those gray ones just to make sure. It's good to have incite and awareness into what is going on in the inner circles of the nda community. I will be more cautious to what a choose to post don't want to upset the delicate balance of eternal harmony in the nda community. Thanks V for the heads up

 

[svnmag]

Also, I'm on record bitching about certain threads needing relocated to "Politics". Unfortunately, politics determine our ability to legally have guns and fish/etc. Full discloser (and who the fuck am I): Not real pleased when "Politics" was reduced to three threads to seemingly accommodate more add space.

Once had an "OP's" NCOIC (big fucker) who constantly preached "kicking ass" and "taking charge". One fine day my "kids" necessarily did just that. The big fucker's response was turning pale, pissing his pants and mealy mouthing about "excessive force" and his dialogue in future meetings.

Luckily my commander at the time was not a pussy. I was told to (and didn't again) write myself a medal package. My fuck up and regret is not writing those kids a medal. Another fuck up and MAJOR regret is not writing an MSM for my Desk Sgt and her actions on 9/11 quick enough. The fucks asleep in base housing were awarded unapologetically for every damn thing she and I did.

My God I want to say more.

You're doing a good job V and I truly appreciate your reverence to the 1A. Here's a couple tunes:

 

[LBrandt]

Less politics and more coffee would help. LB

 

[Maddog]

More coffee would help. LB

x2

 

[Downrigger]

Just sitting here waiting for @Vollmer next State of NDA.

 

[Downrigger]

Since @Vollmer just laughed, I let ChatGPT write a 2026 version. I did no editing or further probing​

​

The State of the Union: Nodakangler.com (2026 Edition)​

My fellow anglers, lurkers, keyboard guides, and proud owners of at least three rods you swear you “actually use”—

Today, we gather to reflect on the great and noble republic of Nodakangler.com. A digital land where the walleyes are big, the opinions are bigger, and the ice thickness is always reported in inches… give or take a hopeful exaggeration.

Our Founding Principles​

Since its humble beginnings, Nodakangler.com has stood for three sacred truths:

1. North Dakota weather will humble you.
2. The fish were biting yesterday.
3. It was definitely your buddy’s fault.

From the windswept shores of Lake Sakakawea to the legendary waters of Devils Lake, our community has remained committed to the pursuit of knowledge, camaraderie, and just enough trash talk to keep things interesting.

The Economy of the Forum​

The economic engine of Nodakangler.com remains strong. Our most traded commodities include:

• GPS coordinates that are almost correct
• Grainy fish photos taken at night with flash
• “Secret” jig colors known by 4,000 members
• Ice thickness updates measured in “should be fine”

Inflation remains high in the “Biggest Fish I’ve Ever Seen” sector, but confidence in the “Pics or It Didn’t Happen” market is at an all-time peak.

Ice Report Transparency Act​

We recognize that winter brings both opportunity and chaos. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to honest reporting:

• “12 inches” means 8 inches in one spot and optimism in another.
• “Road is good” means someone made it.
• “Biting all day” means a glorious 17-minute window around 4:42 PM.

Let the record show: no auger has been harmed in the making of these reports. Pride? Yes. Augers? No.

The Fisheries Address​

We proudly salute the noble walleye—the unofficial currency of Nodakangler.com—and the ever-misunderstood northern pike, who continues to photobomb every respectable fish picture since the dawn of time.

We also extend our gratitude to the perch, who may be small but are mighty in numbers and in the ability to turn “just one more hole” into a four-hour cardio session.

Technology & Innovation​

In the year ahead, we vow to continue modernizing:

• Upgrading servers so heated debates about barometric pressure can continue uninterrupted.
• Encouraging photo uploads that don’t look like they were taken with a flip phone from 2006.
• Maintaining civil discourse… unless someone mentions live bait vs. plastics. Then all bets are off.

Unity Across the Waters​

Whether you fish open water on Missouri River or punch holes across the frozen expanse of Lake Audubon, know this:

We are one community.

Bound not by politics.
Not by wind direction.
But by the eternal hope that this next cast will be the one.

Looking Ahead​

The future of Nodakangler.com is bright. The fish will continue to move “just deeper.” The wind will always be “switching tomorrow.” And someone, somewhere, will absolutely claim they “limited out in 20 minutes.”

And we will believe them.
Mostly.

---

So let us move forward with courage, with humor, and with at least two extra batteries for the flasher.

May your lines stay tight.
May your auger always start.
And may your “secret spot” remain secret… until you accidentally post the background landmarks.

God bless Nodakangler.com.
And God bless the great state of North Dakota.

 

[Davy Crockett]

So there was just a template you used Or total AI ? pretty cool tech.

 

[Downrigger]

Just typed in "Give me a State of the Union" for www.nodakangler.com in ChatGPT.

 

[Downrigger]

Here’s one asking the same thing but telling chat that all members are mean jerks.



Ladies and gentlemen, disgruntled keyboard warriors, and the perpetually unimpressed membership of NoDakAngler.com—
I stand before you tonight to deliver the annual State of the Union, fully aware that at least half of you have already typed, “This is dumb,” and the other half are drafting a 900-word reply explaining why it was better in 2009.

Membership Morale​

Our community remains strong—strongly opinionated, strongly stubborn, and strongly convinced that everyone else is fishing wrong. Participation is steady, mostly fueled by three core activities:

1. Correcting each other.
2. Arguing about ice thickness.
3. Claiming secret spots are “blown up” while simultaneously posting GPS-adjacent photos.

Engagement metrics show that any post containing the words “walleye limit,” “slot change,” or “new guy here” triggers immediate, reflexive hostility. This is not a bug. This is tradition.

The Fishing Reports​

Reports continue to be posted in the time-honored format:

• “Did good.”
• “They’re biting.”
• “Use bait.”

Followed by 47 replies accusing the original poster of either lying, spot-burning, or both.
Our intelligence division confirms that 82% of “slow day” reports are actually limits achieved before 9:30 a.m. We respect this level of strategic misinformation.

The New Members​

To the brave souls who joined this year: welcome. We admire your courage. You asked simple questions like “Where should I start?” and were immediately met with:

• “Use the search function.”
• “Figure it out like the rest of us.”
• “Kids these days.”

You survived. Mostly.

The Veterans​

Our long-time members remain the backbone of the forum. Without you, who would remind us:

• That fishing used to be better.
• That regulations used to make sense.
• That nobody respects etiquette anymore.
• That you personally caught bigger fish before cameras existed.

Your commitment to nostalgia is unwavering, and your distrust of change remains inspirational.

Ice Season Operations​

Ice reports were posted hourly, even when nothing changed. Every thread eventually evolved into:

• A debate about 4-wheelers.
• A lecture about safety.
• An argument about who drove where.

We are proud to report that despite dozens of “Is this safe?” posts, nobody ever accepts the answer.

Tackle Debates​

The union remains divided on:

• Live bait vs. artificials
• Forward-facing sonar vs. “real fishing”
• Whether any fish under 25 inches is worth a photo

Compromise has not been reached, and frankly, we prefer it that way.

Classifieds​

Our marketplace continues to thrive. Items listed as:

• “Like new” (used for six seasons)
• “Firm on price” (not firm)
• “Just testing the waters” (emotionally attached)

Negotiations inevitably end with someone saying, “I can buy it new for that,” even though they never do.

Overall Outlook​

In conclusion, the State of the Union is this:
The fish are biting (unless they’re not).
The lakes are crowded (except when they aren’t).
Everyone else is doing it wrong.
And somehow, despite all of that, you all keep coming back.
Because beneath the sarcasm, the grumbling, and the passive-aggressive emoji reactions, this community still shares one undeniable truth:
You love fishing.
You love arguing about fishing.
And you wouldn’t trade either for anything.
Thank you. Please form an orderly line to tell me why this speech was terrible.