There are many posts here that are pro-surgery. Research shows that outcomes 6 months and 1yr after the event are about the same with conservative management vs surgery. I too have extruded a disk, which is herniation with a tear in the disk where the jelly inside of the disk gets pushed out into the spinal canal. I had a foot drop on one side. I couldn’t raise my foot up towards my head. Because I didn’t have a ton of pain, I went the conservative route and after 6 wks of taking it easy, I have not had any issues 3 yrs down the road. The strength returned over time. I do have to use my head when lifting things and I too can tell when I am pushing it too far. The main benefit of doing surgery is pain relief. It is possible that I may screw up and end up having surgery at some point, but I think the longer you can avoid it the better. Surgery comes with risks as well…infection, anesthesia complications…etc. Weigh your options, risks/benefits, and get more than one opinion.

Said boat was anchored 30 yds from shore and they were not fishing within the 5 yards of shore that I passed through. They were fishing off the back of their boat in the current seam. Had I seen them casting right up on shore (and I looked), I certainly would not have passed that way. Had I went around the outside, I would have powered up the big motor and would have crossed through the seam they were working. I thought I was doing them a favor by quietly slipping by the inside of where they were working. I give people out there more room that most people. had I known they had taken ownership of the water between their boat and the shore, I may have chose differently. I would likely make the same choice today having observed the same area they were fishing. Everyone can speculate on right or wrong here, but what is for sure is that an expletive laced tirade was not needed. If that 15 seconds it took me to pass you ruined your day, well good.

I second the call for courtesy. I too was accosted by another fisherman this past week for using my electric to go around his boat well away from where he was anchored. And BK, he actually is a regular on this site and may have been the first place boat in the FYB! Common courtesy isn’t so common these days! While this may be my first post to the site, i watch it regularly. It is a great site and resource. Off to the river…