|
|
| Last week on vacation I went to the local tackle store and looked into their freezer of death. To each his or her own but JHC a 41" musky, 17" bass, 23" northern and a 7" friggin bluegill. NICE![:(] | |
| | |
| Todd:
That can happen in only one place. | |
| | |
| Todd were you in Boulder Junction by chance?????
I saw a 44" musky, 14" largemouth, 5" bluegill, and about a 22" northern. Some people don't have a clue.
By the way...was that you on High Lake? I couldn't tell we were so far away. I waved anyway! LOL | |
| | |
| What they did not get the grand slam with the Rock Bass![:bigsmile:] | |
| | |
| As often as this catch-and-keep/skin-mount topic comes up on these boards, I think it's good that it gets brought up over and over again. There are many people who are new to muskie fishing and still many others who fish that have very limited exposure to the ideals of those of us who have an intimate knowledge of why catch and release is so important. Exposure to the facts about muskies life-cycle and the catch and release ethic is what is needed to help protect the future of muskie fishing.
Most of the time the pro-conservation minded folks (those opposed to keeping muskies) are preaching to the choir when posting to these boards. To me, this hard-line attitude by the familiar folks who post that way - over and over again - irritate me. Just so you know my position, I'm in favor of catch and release and promote it when I have a chance, but I will not lash out at someone who chooses to keep a legally caught fish. A hard-line position (not attitude) along with some tact could really help to promote catch and release.
Everyone who has fished for muskies for awhile now knows that many many many more people are fishing for muskies today than there used to be. Even though the number of people fishing for muskies has increased dramatically, Muskies Inc - one of the most recognized muskie clubs - has had trouble increasing its membership because of the perceived hard-line catch-and-release attitude. I personally know 6 close friends and a few other acquaintances who fish for muskies on a regular basis that do not belong to Muskies Inc or any muskie club for that matter. When I'm fishing with them I talk about being a member and a few of them will say something like, "yeah, I really need to get signed up, too, because I know they help to promote a healthy muskie fishery, but I just don't like to be associated with those radicals." The current president of Muskies Inc, Perry Smith, is trying to portray a better image of tolerance while still promoting catch and release. I'm hopeful that his efforts will pay off.
This might be hard for some of you to understand, but there are many people who are purely recreational fisherman. They get their Zebco 202 out of the garage once a year and go fishing for a few hours during a family vacation. Some may be a little more serious about fishing but they fall under the same category I'm attempting to describe. They do not read muskies magazines nor do they read any of these boards. Those that do are completely turned off by the catch-and-release attitude. They do not belong to a muskie club either. Their only exposure to muskie fishing is seeing big muskies hanging on the wall in the tavern after fishing for a few hours on the lake.
If these people get lucky and actually catch a legal muskie (or a 17" bass, or 23" northern pike or 7" bluegill or even "trophy" rock bass), their first thought is probably about putting their trophy on the wall. Catch and release is not even in their vocabulary. Many of these people have no idea people would be upset at them if they don't put their fish back. And lets say one of these people is out with his 8 year old daughter when she hooks a 41" muskie. That muskie will be mounted! You can't fault anyone for that. They just do not know any better.
So, what I'm trying to say is that the message about catch-and-release (with or without attitude) still hasn't made it to everyone. We need to keep doing what we can to share our knowledge. Be prepared to see what you consider to be a ridiculous pile of fish in someone's trophy freezer. Try not to be bitter. Imagine that there are reasons (many more than I've stated here) why those fish are there. Try some tact. It would be nice if we all could just get along.
D2Bucktail
Dave Dawson
| |
| | |
| Brett, I did not want to mention where I saw it but oh well. I looked for you and seen two red rangers but they did not have mercurys on them. There is a guy who lives on high in the bay next to the bay with the launch who I will never be courteous to if I see him again. He has a newer smoker craft. He has no regard for others.
Where were you when you seen me? I was on high most of the time. | |
| | |
| I will not patronize that bait shop.
But, my reason is different.
Many years ago before said shop burned down and was rebuilt, my wife caught her first legal fish. It was a Sunday and we drove out of our way, going back to the cottage to stop at said shop to register it in the Musky Marathon. Well we arrived at 5:05pm to find the doors locked, but noticed employees inside. I knocked and the owner came to the door and said they were closed. I asked if he could take a minute to register my wife's first legal, and he once again said no he was closed. We couldn't believe our ears! The icing on the cake was when he shortly there after came out and started blowing leaves from his sidewalk. Like a clean looking shop would get him more business then kind, considerate, friendly, good businessman like behavior![:(]
The gas station on the corner behind the outfitters has suckers and better prices anyways.[:bigsmile:]
The power of the internet is a good thing. | |
| | |
| To Dave Dawson aka Bucktail. AMEN! Nice to see someone speak their own mind and not jump on the proverblile band wagon.[:bigsmile:] | |
| | |
| Dave Dawson aka Bucktail.
Well worded post. Truly hope more of us can come to see your point of view. Let's not judge until we know all the facts. I practice CPR too, but should not (and do not) lash out at someone choosing to keep a legal fish. | |
| | |
| Todd & Brett,
I saw the same fish on Saturday, at least the cooler reserved for muskies was full of ice!
Landy Roepke | |
| |
|
RIDICULOUS!