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The muffled slam of a car door, and the barking of dogs, broke
the serenity of the small stream. I had not fished this piece of
water for a couple of years, and it was extremely rare to see another
angler, however, it looked like I was now going to have some company.
About 70 meters upstream two Springer Spaniels appeared, followed
by their master. Soon a game of fetch began.
All to yourself
The fellow finally noticed me, waved, and then disappeared back
into the brush. I let go a sigh of relief - too soon. The fellow
reappeared with the rambunctious Springers just 20 meters below
me. You can't always have the river to yourself, but on a small
piece of hopefully secret water, you kind of expect and deserve
it. The dogs had the pool I was going to fish whipped into a froth.
Perhaps a little discourse on stream etiquette might be the next
order of business.
"How's the fishing?" he called up to me.
"Not very good." And it wasn't. This pretty little run
and the pool at the top and bottom had always treated me well, but
yielded only a few undersized whitefish this day. And now this trio
had ruined what was left of the water. The dogs were having fun.
I wasn't.
Lots last year
"Yeah, I can't understand it," he said. "Last year
I came up here every night after work and caught my limit, and this
year there are hardly any trout."
Looking at him in disbelief, I struggled for an answer. Thinking
subtlety was probably more civilized than going postal I said, "You
know what I think is happening. I think some people are coming here,
and killing everything they catch, and that is why there are few
fish left."
Moment of silence
There was a very long moment of silence. You could not hear the
brain working. Then as he received the epiphany he exclaimed, "Yeah,
yeah I'll bet that is what is happening!"
Shaking my head I headed back to the van. I often think back to
that day. Maybe I was too subtle, or maybe that angler just didn't
grasp the concept of catch and release. In many areas of the country
the catch and release ethic has been the savior of fishing and for
some species it is mandatory. Catch and release is practiced voluntarily
by about 92% of all anglers. That is a good thing, because natural
reproduction and the closing of hatcheries, just cannot keep up
with the demand.
(All previous issues are stored in the ARCHIVE
for your convenience)
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Catch and release
Here in the Bulkley Valley, anglers worldwide come to fish our
lakes and rivers for the cutthroat, rainbows, grayling, lake trout,
coho, chinook, sockeye and the most coveted freshwater fish of all,
steelhead. Except for the salmon very few of these visitors take
a fish home with them. Steelhead is mandatory catch and release
and I hope that doesn't change. A fish as valuable as steelhead
need to be shared and the important tourist dollars are much needed.
Limit your kill
Is the practice of catch and release the answer to saving our fishing?
No. A properly managed fishery will allow the taking of a reasonable
number of fish. What's a reasonable number? Ask yourself in the
spring when you clean out the freezer. Are you throwing away fish,
giving excess to neighbors, or using the fish as fertilizer? Then
you are taking more than you need. There is a great saying most
anglers have heard of, but it sometimes needs repeating: Limit your
kill; don't kill your limit.
Good ole days
We all know of fisheries that are just a shadow of their former
productiveness. Each of us can remember rivers or lakes that just
aren't like they used to be. Although often when you hear old timers
quoting the old phrase, "You know it just ain't as good as
when I was a boy." You have to remember that when the old timers
started fishing there was about half the number of anglers, and
that pretty much explains some of the good old days. In some cases
I think some fisheries have improved, but when I analyze that, I
realize maybe my skills have improved.
Numbers
Can catch and release be carried too far? Yes. Some anglers get
so righteous about catch and release; they can get downright obnoxious
about it. Some anglers, and I must admit I have been one, play the
numbers game. You have heard the angler who tells you of the 30-steelhead
day, or the 100 -trout released day. We all like to have a memorable
day but there is incidental mortality to consider. Studies have
shown 5%-10% succumb even after being carefully released. Release
numbers need limits too.
It is all about balance and moderation. I compare it to the rancher.
He likes the taste of beef, but if every time he wants a steak he
kills the cow, don't ask where all the cows have gone. Next trip
out consider a balance of limiting your kill - not killing your
limit,... and loving 'em and leaving 'em.
More of Bob's photos on the Photo
page
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