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Biologist: Why change a good thing?
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of stories examining different aspects of minimum flows in the White and North Fork rivers. The Bulletin is taking a look at what minimum flow is and how it will impact the Twin Lakes Area.) The White and North Fork rivers are considered by many to be the crown jewels of trout fishing in Arkansas. World-class and premium are just some of the words often used to describe the fisheries. .
Fishing for trout in the Androscoggin River
GORHAM, N.H. - The little 7 1/2 foot, 2-wt. rod bent to the task as the 12-inch rainbow headed back behind the rock from where he had darted to take Steve's fly. The reel complained in a high-pitched squeal about the line being stripped from it's spool. My companion had to be very careful as we fished with only two pound test tippets that can break if you breathe on them wrong. He had set the drag so that the slightest pull would take line; when fishing with such light equipment, the contest becomes art and finesse not horsepower. The small fish was not going to give up easily. Several times he broke the surface of the stream, shaking his head and tossing rainbow-ladened drops of spring-fed water side to side. With practiced ease Steve let the trout tire himself out and then slowly brought him to bay, his handmade catch net with the rubbed finish twinkled in the sunlight as he slid it underneath the waiting fish.
Humans are well designed for an omnivorous diet
QLast weekend we had cottage guests. We knew they were vegetarians and prepared menus accordingly. All was well until I declared I was going fishing, and invited them to come. This led to a tirade on the evils of fishing — fish have rights too, they feel pain, yada, yada. I kind of lost it, and the rest of the weekend was frosty. Now I feel guilty — and haven't wet a line since! Do you think fishing is really mean, or bad ethics-wise? AI shouldn't touch this one with a ten-foot fly rod. I'm a fisherman, and I eat the fish I catch. Yum! Moreover, the last time I dealt with a fish question (involving a Siamese fighter and a cat) I got more nasty letters than on any subject but gay marriage. But like a trout to the fly, I rise again. Animal rights advocates usually begin with the claim that fish can feel pain.
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