i also feel very strongly on the topic of anonymity. personally, if i were forcd to give it up, i would stop participating on this forum. i always try to be honest and truthful in all my postings regarding all my fishing on the canal. however, i simply would rather remain anonymous for personal reasons. there are no sinister motives here, i'm just a private person. secondly, if we were forced to log our names and e-mail addresses, this might certainly discourage new blood from participating. thus possibly running the risk of becoming a clique, or worse, "a good old boys club." now wouldn't that be boring! anonymity allows a certain freedom of expression that i'm sure we'd lose if we were forced to give it up. sometimes i find the flames and sarcasm quite refreshing, and fun to read.