Note - the below suggestions are just that: suggestions. They are not exhaustive, and they're not hard and fast rules that everyone should follow. But I've been fishing for a relatively long time, and over the years I've noticed that many of the ideas below have fallen by the wayside. Do you want to make a difference? Trying a few of the suggestions below would be a good start.
It’s likely safe to assume that the majority of the regular visitors of this site (and various others on the web) are ethical, good-natured anglers who - besides loving to catch fish - also would like to help preserve and enhance their own and other people's fishing experiences going forward.
I'd like to suggest five
EASY things
YOU can do that will help our fisheries and the experience surrounding it... and one tough thing that involves a bit more commitment.
Many of you will boast, right off the bat, "I already DO those things". Great! I'm sure some of you do... some of the time. But what I'd like to request is that you read the list below, and take a
good hard look at yourself - ask yourself,
"am I really doing as much as I could/should be doing?"1)
Bring a garbage bag, and pick up trash as you go. I know some of you do this, and others pretty much pioneered it (ie. Chris Gadsden), but I bet the majority do NOT. You'll feel better about yourself, and maybe someone else will notice what you're doing and either bring a bag themself next time, or will reconsider chucking their leftover leader or coffee cup on the ground.
2)
Bring a friend fishing. Why? You’ll enjoy spending time with your buddy, and you’ll be experience the joy of helping someone catch their first fish. Plus, if they take up fishing, they – like yourself – will become an ambassador for good, ethical fishing practices!
3)
Take time to share your knowledge with other anglers. This is related to #2, but applies more to other anglers who are already on the river. See people dragging fish up on the rocks? Offer to help them release the fish, and explain why you’re doing it the way you are. Or perhaps ask (rather than tell them) if they know that fish is snagged and should be let go. Some on this site say "that's not my job, I'm not willing to make that effort / take that risk..." Well, it's easy to just shake your head and walk away, but as far as I'm concerned, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Now I’ll be the first to admit – some of them won’t want to listen to what you have to say. But many simply don’t know any better, and will be incredibly grateful for your assistance. And this leads us to #4…
4)
Have a positive attitude! Right away, I know some of you reading this will think, “Of course I have a positive attitude! I’m going fishing, after all!” But I don’t mean just enjoy fishing – I mean, when you offer knowledge or advice to those who may be in need of it (such as those who have kept a wild coho), don’t go in with your guns blazing. Remember the old adage “you’ll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar”… getting up in a guy’s face likely won’t end up well. Be polite, and if they don't want to listen, then walk away and call RAPP if the situation warrants it.
5)
Make use of your resources. The fact that you are already here on this website says something about your thirst for knowledge. Take the time to read some articles on fishing techniques. Visit the fisheries websites and understand closures and openings. And spend some time before you go out to make SURE you understand how to ID a fish. We’ve all made mistakes doing this before, I’ve been fishing for nearly 30 years and I still make mistakes. But mistakes are ok and can be forgiven – ignorance is another matter entirely.
Well, those are the easy things you can do to help. What about the more difficult thing? At the end of the day, picking up garbage is a good start, and converting a snagger to a shortfloater will help increase everyone’s fishing experience to a degree. But the bigger problems – the environmental concerns, dwindling salmon stocks, disregard for steelhead, etc – require a bigger voice. So I offer #6 - the difficult but more rewarding way:
6)
Join an organization and get involved. There are many good groups out there who are fighting for our fisheries and our fish. But they need help. Add your voice to the chorus, because the louder we squeak, the more oil we’ll get. If you’d like to get involved, perhaps with Rod’s permission we could create a list of groups/organizations for people to contact?
I’m not saying the above suggestions contain all the answers. But I promise you, they will enhance your fishing experience, and you might even be able to make a difference in the big picture as well.
Cheers.
Tex
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Topic: Five EASY ways you can help our fisheries (and one tough way) (Read 2650 times)