How do you feel about…..
- This topic has 36 replies, 22 voices, and was last updated Jul 11, 2008 at 2:12 am by
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However, your nuts should be cut off if a buddy shows you a place, takes you there in confidence, and you return at a later date with some other dudes and write a “New Destination” piece.
Get arts and crafty… Make a change purse… or a reel cover for your spring creek rod. That would be a good addition for a bamboo purist.
Destination X.
Somewhere between here and there.
A little closer to there than here.
In a national forest and the water is pure.“Just curious how people here feel about young authors selling out your favorite trout water just to get their name in print? “
Does anyone have a good example of this occurring? Sometimes I think this argument is based on a straw man.
In our latest issue, we highlight the St. Joe, which offers 45 miles of river or something, and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Obviously, neither of these constitutes hotspotting, but where, exactly, is the line?
Phil
But, if a river is truly small and stressed, and angling it is likely to damage it, then the writer needs to hold off, or choose to write about the river in a different way (such as in a news article on how TU groups are restoring said river).
I’m not convinced it is Jeff.
Most anglers who respect the resources would I think be carefull about and around “sensitive” systems. So in part I agree with you. If its *that* sensitive maybe we shouldn’t be fishing it either.
But heres the rub, to me anyways.
Not everyone cares that much.
By way of example, a fair number of our streams get pretty hot starting around this time of year….Dangerously hot. Most people that I know don’t fish those streams July and Aug.For every angler that appreciates how stressed the trout are, theres probably another that doesn’t realise the dangers, or may not even care.
The stream that runs behind my house couldnt handle the pressure that would come as a result of an article highlighting the Brookies in its head waters. Again, its not increased pressue from “respectful” anglers, its the pressure from anglers who either dont care and would be more happy to take their limits or who don’t know about how sensitive some systems are.
There are probably thousands of anglers around the GTA (home to millions) who would be more than happy to discover Brookies so close to home that dont have the foggiest notion about water temps, stress, lactic acid and god knows what ever else.
Right now on the website I call home for Southern Ontario Fly fishing theres a post asking about “Summer Time Trout” and where to go around the GTA and there are always people looking for that info.
So while the system could handle increased presure.A few dozen more careful anglers….sure…but on top of them, a few dozen limit taking, redd destroying, dont know, dont care anglers……nope
Phil.
I cant think of any article being directly linked to an increase in pressure but I can think of a number of suitable examples.On the Great Lakes Tribs all it takes is a “fishing report” posted on one of the many fishing websites with a few pics illustrating that the runs are on (peaking) and sure as death and taxes that particluar Trib is going to get nailed the next weekend.
But then again I’m talking about rivers right in the heart of a rather large Megalopolis. So its probably all relative to who/what/where.
Not many years ago Center pinning on the Great Lakes Tribs was virtually unheard of, as was the knowledge that many tirbs got great runs. A few select fishing shows changed that fore ever in the late 80s, early 90s. Today its combat fishing during the runs.
“Just curious how people here feel about young authors selling out your favorite trout water just to get their name in print? “
Does anyone have a good example of this occurring? Sometimes I think this argument is based on a straw man.
Good point Phil.
Although everyone on the Drake seems to think that’s how Zach got his job with AA.
Like I said Aaron, to me it’s a catch 22.
I fervently beleive in conservation. So much so that I wouldn’t mind at all if the little stream behind my place were “closed” to all fishing due to the Atlantic Salmon restoration project under way. Best estimates are 10 to 15 years to really get a sense on whether its working or not. As is, there are no special regs ( no kill, single barbless, artifical etc)
Above all, our precious fisheries as a resource for our sport—fly fishing–need strong constituencies. Despite what we all might think about the increasing pressure on our special places by other fisherman, the evidence is (through licensing data) that fishing as a sport is in decline. Once our resource loses a sufficient constituency to defend it, forces both that may want to destroy it or forces that may want to lock it up will eventually prevail.
When some environmental advocacy wants to ban fishing on Joel’s or Lando’s special creeks or alpine lakes—for whatever rationale—I would think they would appreciate dozens of others who might have experienced those creeks and lakes stepping up to defend them. Unlike Lando and Joel, I do more than fish, but I fish more than most and it’s a rare day that I feel crowded or squeezed on any of the waters I fish, even though they are literally within miles of relatively heavily populated areas. In fact there are days that are downright lonely on the water.
Violating confidences is a personal issue, reasonable promotion of productive, interesting and exciting fisheries is an obligation if we are to increase the constituency for fly fishing in the U.S. IMO
It doesn’t sound like I quite fit the M.O. described in the original post – I’m not young, to start with – but I might be precariously close to being found guilty by this jury. I’ve written two destination articles where I’ve stated EXACTLY where to fish. One on the Florida Keys that Phil published, and one on Ambergris Caye, Belize that he’s reviewing. And I do seminars where I present the same information. But those are both well known destinations, so I don’t feel I’ve impacted the fishery by telling people where to park the rental car or where to turn toward the beach from the walking trail. So perhaps the Governor will grant me a stay of execution?
Things probably are different for trout waters where tides don’t change the conditions. I don’t know that bonefish can be fished out, at least not by sport fishers, maybe just educated like those in Biscayne Bay.
Sure, I like seeing my name on an article in Phil’s fine publication, but I also like the idea that maybe I’m giving some trout anglers the idea and information needed to go to the Keys or Belize and catch fish without greatly impacting your bank account.
Oh yeah, and I once gave Zach info on my home lake for his Hot Spots feature in AA.
But most of you need not worry about me. I’m not a trout angler, so you’re unlikely to see my name on an article about your favorite stream.
Most anglers who respect the resources would I think be carefull about and around “sensitive” systems. So in part I agree with you. If its *that* sensitive maybe we shouldn’t be fishing it either.
John,
I’m not disagreeing with you.The Natural Resource Department in the state in which I live does not publish information about the majority of wild trout streams. Nor do they assign catch and release regulations to these streams because the moment CnR are established on a wild trout stream is the moment the pressue increases, possibly to levels bad for the fishery.
People fish those streams that are mentioned in the regs, or those streams that are mentioned in a mag.
Do what you want to get your name in print, I cant stop you, but try to think before you write an article, ‘Does this article make me a whore?’ If the answer is yes or even requires a second thought (and heaven forbid requires a justification), then, my good man, your are a prostitute.
fin.
This is the first time I have had a chance to read everyones responses since the first day I posted this. There is some good stuff here forsure and I can see both sides of the fence. I would say I still think that if I had a special spot I would probably keep it too myself or just show those I really trust just to make sure it stays special to me. I enjoy being alone when I am fishing for myself. It is a time for me to rejuvenate my soul. I love to share the things I have been blessed with, but I hate having to wait to fish my honey holes! 😉
Great discussion guys!
Joel
We all have our special places. Places where we think we are at home and are known only to us an a few more. Thuth is, this may be only in out minds and many others may know these places and not feel as linked to them as are we.
In my opinion, people write about these places more to share their experience rather than glory seek just to get their name in print.
But you can write about these places without telling where they are. Try this:
http://www.hatofmichigan.org/uploads/My_Secret_Garden.pdf
Bob
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