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If you think of fishing as a passion rather than a past-time, then I'm sure you have real concerns about the health of your favorite lake or stream. Catch and release is only a Band-Aid. We MUST do more. I hope to inspire you to quit complaining, get off your duff and do something If you are like Dan and I, and think of fishing as a passion rather than a pastime, then I'm sure you have real concerns about the health of your favorite lake or stream. All fishing stories somehow lead back to the "good old days" when fish were bigger and all over the place. The old photo albums are filled with those pictures of huge strings of fish held by smiling fishermen, or yards of fish draped over a log. There is no question that our fish populations are in serious decline and their habitats are in a critical state. We see garbage floating and awash on the beach. Crystal clear waters are murky and covered with a shiny film. Gravel beds are gone. Catch and release is only a Band-Aid. We can and must do more to cure the problem. We have covered some children's events in previous articles. Volunteering for programs such as the Kiwanis "Get Kids Hooked on Fishing...Not Drugs" and various local free fishing days for children such as Eureka's Kids Fishing Day are great ways to participate. These are important venues for getting kids introduced to the sport we love. Once they are "hooked", we need to take it a step further and teach them about the role they play in preserving and protecting this precious resource. |
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Part of this education rests with us. We should be our children's mentors. We have a responsibility to lead by example. Getting involved in a fish conservation project can be rewarding, hard work, and just plain fun. Hatcheries in your local area offer opportunities for volunteering at various times. Groups such as Trout Unlimited have ongoing programs for habitat restoration, etc. Educational institutions, such as Humboldt State (in my area), have various departmental projects that need volunteers. Check with your Department of Fish and Game. We will explore several of these options, and try to give you contacts. A little networking never hurt anyone, and it could mean everything to our sport fishing future.
Columnist Joan Carter co-owns, with her husband, Dan Carter's Guide Service. |
This may be a simple as taking a plastic bag to the fishing hole to pick up trash after you fish. It's too bad we must clean up after others, but it is a fact of life. Hatchery tours are a great way to spend a day learning and having fun as a family unit. The next time you are camping near a lake or stream, take time to talk to the Ranger about the wildlife in the area. State parks have many tours and special camp cleanup projects for children. Seek out and take advantage of programs that are available, so vacations and holidays can be educational as well as fun.
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