|
A Fisherman's Friend Can Often Break Ecologists' Hearts
There may be plenty of unwanted fish in the sea for government ecologists, but often those invasive aquatic species are a boon to local anglers. Take the brown trout. A European native, the trout was introduced into America in the late 19th century and can now be found in bodies of fresh water from coast to coast. Though they may might provide tasty meals after lazy summer afternoons, new fish species come at a cost greater than a bucket of worms. "There's a number of either purposely introduced, or accidentally introduced, species that have provided quite a recreational resource," said George Madison, fisheries supervisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for the Western Upper Peninsula. "So while smelt can be desired by people, or brown trout or rainbow trout, it's very clear that they out-compete the native species." In the Great Lakes region, the introduction of salmon has changed the aquatic landscape, displacing native fish such as the coaster brook trout, a minnow forager.
The art of rod fishing
Several times a year while fishing on the Delta, I've ran across people still using bamboo fishing poles. I've often wondered how they managed to fish with such out-dated equipment with any success. While observing them for a while it was clear that they were completely comfortable with their equipment and had mastered their technique. Most of the people I saw would have a metal roller on the tip of the pole for the line to travel across and a tin can used to spool their line wound on the outside. Their poles were 10 or more feet in length and instead of casting they would extend the pole as far out as they could and drop their bait strait down without disturbing the water. Delta legend and bass fishing hall of fame member Dee Thomas invented a technique called flipping that uses a similar technique.
ยท Failed angler confesses ...
Somewhere between the cloudy waters of Chub Ditch and blue ribbon mountain streams, I took a wrong turn. Learning to fish was supposed to hone character and cleanse the soul. There is nothing more masculine, more all-American, more Montanan than becoming an expert angler. Here follows the confession of an angler left behind. The Huck Finn I once was never outgrew fishing but fishing outgrew him. Fishing introduced me to a new world, a world of flash and wonder, murky mystery and electric connections. The watery world interfaced with this ocean of air at the surface of every creek, pond and river. Fishing line was the telegraph wire that communicated between the two. My first freshwater rig consisted of a willow pole, three yards of line, a bobber and a hook. I transmitted a cricket and waited for an answer.
|
|
|
|
|
Bookmark
(Ctrl + D) |
|
