Sounds very familiar.
Most traders I knew of couldn't or wouldn't adjust with the market changes over time and all slowly dropped off but as always it is hard to find hard-core dedicated traders that break away from being mushrooms and actually desire to chat whilst trading and or meet on a regular basis.
I've always found it funny how people especially newer traders whinge for trading companions then can't be bothered putting in effort themselves to meet. I guess people really underestimate what it really takes to be a trader... lots of blame can go to the fast talking spruikers I guess