steelhead1 said:
I can't say that piercing a fish and getting a rush from its frantic struggle, is pure form, but in this world, what is? None that fish for sport or relaxation is innocent, but who is? What we do is not in any way beneficial for our quarry. But the alternative ways I might spend my time, are almost unimaginable. My version of heaven is a world where fishes are pursued, and tricked, brought to hand with a mutual chuckle(ha ha,you got me) and released unharmed (but maybe a bit wiser). But in reality, where do you draw the line? We are hurting these animals, and if you don't see that or feel even the slightest compassion, well, good luck with that. Speaking for myself, I know the damage caused by my chosen lifelong pursuit. I will take fish for food, but I am not starving. I will injure a fish for the thrill of the struggle, but that does not mean that I don't respect these creatures. Minimizing mortality and damage has always been a part of MY OWN set of standards, what others do is out of my control. I would prefer to think that my own experience handling a fish for release, with the goal of the fishes continued survival, has been achieved with attention and diligence. Not by something I read in a free pamphlet, distributed by the government for the mindless masses. I am not asking for answers, I really don't care if any agree. Its more of a question you should be asking yourself. I am confident that when I choose to release, I am doing the best that I can. I'm not perfect, but who is?
You're making a point that I tried making on "that other site" in a thread about "harassing" bull trout in the Met and in Billy Chinook. One fellow (a rather young fisherman) was bemoaning people fishing for bullies claiming that it's harassing these fish during their typical spawning season (even tho the fish in the lake aren't spawning, they'd be up river doing that business) - he seemed not to admit, or realize that
all fishing is a form of harassment. We sport fishers get our kicks by arguably tormenting, if not outright torturing of a lower form of life. Honestly - not a single person on this forum would willingly be stabbed through the lip, gums, roof of their mouth, or really any other part of their body with a big sharp, most likely barbed hook, and lead around until they were exhausted, then suffocated, often for very damaging periods of time, and then "set free" with the real possibility of dying from their injuries or from being over exerted.
Fishing is a blood sport, catch & release "ethic" or not. Catch & release is no boone for the fish - we're doing it to ensure there's more fish to abuse at another time for US. If fish had brains bigger than a nut, they'd suffer from PTSD after such an encounter. We fool fish into eating or attacking our bait/lures. It'd be like hiding a hook in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese or filet Mignon for us.
Fishing is seen as harmless by most non fisher folk because they don't think about what the fish go through during their encounters with us. The PETA types (and not the People Eating Tasty Animals version) despise catch & release more than catch & kill - because fish kept are at least presumed to be destined for the dinner table. The whole idea of catch & release fishing was borne in the early 20th century as a means for guides and lodges to ensure they still had quality fishing for sports, so people would continue to fork over their cash to the guides and lodges. Fly fishers especially caught onto the idea because it's romantic, it's easy to lul oneself (and others) into thinking that we're doing a favor to the fish by letting them live after being caught. I suppose in the life vs. death debate, life usually is better - but would someone who has just been severely tortured choose to die, or go through the torture again at some unknown point? Some folks would want to live, but some would choose death over torture.
There are people that love to jump on others for their fish handling skills for a quick hero shot, but think nothing of catching & releasing a dozen fish (or more) a day blissfully believing that all of those fish swim away unharmed, with no lasting effects.
I love to fish. I practice catch & release, but I also have no illusions that what I do has no harmful effects to the individual fish. I'm sure a good portion of the fish I catch & release will expire, due to exhaustion, or infection from their uninvited piercing job.
It's a choice we all make, and should be thoughtful about at least a bit.
Good, thought provoking posting OP.
