I enjoy reading all the forums and have enjoyed several on "bank fishing".  I decided to share one of my greatest memories.
I went off to college in Kentucky and man was I homesick.  When I finished school I moved back to Georgia and made it a point to fish with my Dad at least once or twice a week.  Back then we didn't have a boat and you could really catch crappie at the steam plant on Lake Sinclair.  If you were catching fish, people seemed to crowd in close.  My Dad would set out several cane poles just to give him some distance.  He took several 2 by 12 short boards and made him some rod holders by driving in some large nails.  We had one rather overweight lady who crowded the most.  Finally one morning Dad thought he had his poles set up to give him some distance until she arrived and said:  "Mister you seem to be catching all the fish, do you mind if I use the rod holder on the end.  Being the Southern Gentleman that he was he told her to go ahead and make herself at home and did she ever make herself at home.  Shortly after Dad bought a small John boat and electric motor and a whole new world of fishing opened up for us but a small smile always comes to his face when I mention "Big Mama!" Uncle Tom

Great story!

good story tom.......so which end of the board did she set up on, the one close to yer dad?

Mr. Bill, you guessed it!  We actually had separate boards about 30 inches long.  Dad had two and the outside one was to run interference--sometimes he even left outside one unbaited to discourage her, didn't really matter since he is blind in that eye.  The ladies always seemed attracted to those beautiful blue eyes.  Mine are more green than blue.  Thanks for asking, it is still funny to me.  Had a chance Saturday to sit on the bank of local pond.  Two old timers one is 84, the other 63.
Uncle Tom

i love the story in the story tom.......

i went out yesterday and fished off a bank with an elderly co-worker and his wife --she is 93 and he is 88 -- had a great time even thou the fish didn't want to bite.