As the summer wears on and the weather gets warmer I continue to see more and more people out fishing.
Awesome.
I love seeing kids (yes, high school kids too) out fishing. I’m usually the guy that gives them some “good?” fishing advice and a couple of plastic baits. I rarely see anybody fly-fishing unless I’m fishing in the ‘yuppity’ fly-fishing circles and that’s OK with me…
I love it when young kids watch me fly-fishing. You can see a thousand questions in their eyes: ‘What in the hell is that guy doing and how and why?’
Well, the answer is simple. I’m doing something that I’ve done all my life and love more than anything: The outdoors and catching fish.
I hear it all the time: “Dude, you should have been born 100 years ago.”
Well, I’m here TODAY and the fishing is still good. Is it as good as my ‘old man’ and grandpa say it “used” to be? Nope. Not even close.
Regulations, population, regulations, more population, etc…Geez, stop breeding, people. There are some great ‘birf’ control methods out there these days… Just kidding!!! Seriously, Just kidding!!!
Truth is, there is plenty of good fishing thanks to the ‘conservancy’ of most anglers. You know who you are and you’re a friend of mine.
…”If you want to catch fish use worms.” -That was the advice that my ‘old man’ gave me when I was a ‘wee lad.’…-”Anybody can catch fish with worms.” Therefore, I became a fly-fisherman.
…With that said, I see ‘bait fishermen’ catching and releasing fish all the time. Heh, that is great and noble but it’s pointless. The fish you just released will be eagle/osprey food in a matter of minutes (which is sadly OK with a few of yous)….Trust me, those ‘birds’ do just fine without your help.
Why do the fish die? ‘Baits’ such as worms/crawlers, powerbait, corn dogs, fritos, whatever are usually “assholed” by the fish. Meaning, they fully ingest it. When you ‘pull’ the hook out you damage vital organs. Is a ‘bait fisherman’ going to cut the line and let the hook rust-out? Hell no. He’d be out a hook and have to re-tie his gear…
-If you want to keep your catch then by all means use worms, etc…I have no problem with this, I like to eat fish too. Just don’t bullshit me that you’re a “catch and release fisherman.”
-If you want to practice ‘catch and release’ then use artificial lures (barbless hooks, plastics, flies, etc.).
-Don’t be stooopid, fellow anglers. See ya on the water.
This makes me think of that guy, sitting at the beaver tree, hearing us say that I hadn’t caught any fish yet and telling me I needed to use worms…(and you quoted your dad to him…).
I have been so well-schooled by you that my immediate response was “no way!” Ha! But I caught a fish anyway…
You want a Rainier Beer?
I’ve got plenty right now, thanks…
I don’t quite understand. I realize that a fish that fully ingests a hook will probably die. But are you also saying that if I catch a bluegill with a worm on a barbed hook, and he just is snagged in the mouth, and I let him go that he will also die? I don’t think so. I could be wrong, I guess, but I am a bit confused by the post.
No, fish hooked in the mouth will be fine (obviously). What I’m saying is that there is a higher chance that a fish will ingest baits (worms, etc) so it’s pointless to release it.
Artificial ‘lures’ (flies, etc) are almost always in the mouth thus making it ‘OK’ to release them without harm.
Sorry it’s confusing, I should lay off the wine when I write this stuff! Heh…
… Spend more time fishing and you’ll understand.