I'll second that Mili---recent happenings would indicate a need, IMHO

I agree it does have that type of atmosphere, I always assumed  the presence of off topic discussion there was due to the lack of a dedicated forum.

Wayback machine has the Briny Bar description back in 2002 to be "The place to discuss topics relating to saltwater fishing!".   Maybe a slight change in description back to what you had in mind would help. There already seems to be a dedicated forums to cover all other forms and aspects relating with fishing. 

As a newbie to the forum I was under the exact impression that what of2fish has just said.

Well I sure would certainly appreciate the clarification!!!! 

There is no reason why an off topic forum could not be set up.
Where the issue lies is that we, as in the mods would be charged with deciding what topics were off topic.
Its hard enough now and you will note no mod intervention in the parents thread at all really till that topic became controversial.
The more you slice and dice the forum to provide niche sections the less people tend to read them.
I recently had a request to section all fishing reports out into area,s would anyone read say a gisbourne report if they live in Auckland??? I dont know. If that report simply said good puka landed in the fishing reports I think it may get more hits.

I agree with the description that the briny bar is the place for general discussion like a bar in a fishing club which is what we in fact are "A fishing club" .

Some posters delight in posting topics that have little to do with fishing and draw no interest. These seldom get modded and are left to roll out into history.
When you pose an off topic question you have to be aware that it may fly or fizzle and if it flies some may take issue with either its content or it even being a valid discussion in the first place. This is just the nature of internet forums.

There is no easy answer and creating another forum topic wont IMHO change anything just further muddy the waters as to what should be where and my pm box will flood with bleats to have stuff moved or moved back.. The culture of the forum and its posters is a fluid thing and always changing as new posters arrive and try to come to grips with some of the history. This often rubs longer term members the wrong way and the mods get left to try and sort it out.

Who has all the answers, certainly not I or any of the mod team as the content of the forums is driven by the posters. Post off topic if you want but equally so be prepared for some to take a stand against your thread.