Attacked from All Sides

I use to think of fishing as a pleasant diversion from the reality of 21st century life. Spending my summer morning trying and sometimes succeeding in catching a few trout on the fly. Yes, those flies that I spent my Saturday morning all winter long tying. Now I find that I am part of a bigger problem, I have altered the ecosystem and the fish I love are nothing more than challenged lab rats. Poisoning our streams with their waste and invasive behavior. Scaring the native fish into extinction. And you fishermen (persons) over fishing with reckless abandon. Shame on you!

I came across this in the NY Times last weekend http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/11/opinion/the-cost-of-trout-fishing.html?_r=0 Scary that this guy teaches ! What he forgets to mention is the reason why we had to stock and the complete history of the American Conservation movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. Perhaps a course in history is needed for the old college professor! Stick to your rocks and leave the trout alone.

Due to industrialization, overpopulation , pollution and lack of fish management, we wiped out most of our native fish, destroying their habitat  in the process. So we turned to stocking to replenish the waters. The result was an economic boon every spring to some very small towns that are in depressed economic conditions. Stocking has built fisheries where little was left but coarse fish.

There is a great debate over native and non-native trout. It is conducted in the rarified air of the 21st century amongst purist and realist. The fish that are now vilified were saviors 100 years ago. What changed? Lee Wulff once said " a trout is too beautiful to waste" (or something close). We have a credo " limit your catch not catch your limit". Where is Teddy Roosevelt, Gifford Pinchot, John Burroughs, John Muir and those luminaries of the American Conservation movement when we need them?

Tight line <<@/////>><<

Art Flick

enjoy the video