Should we Support Catch and Release Fishing in the Yukon?
June 29, 2006 at 12:09 pm
I have been thinking about a post on this topic for some time now. I know there are strong thoughts in the Yukon on this issue both ways. The question gets into personal and cultural values, perspectives on respecting or not respecting wildlife, the future of the resource, etc.. If you have some thoughts email me or post it as a comments after the story.
This post follows up on some dialogue from the Memo from the North of 60 Desk regarding “Thoughts on Catch and Release” (check the comments as well).
As I mentioned in the post above, I respect the views of Anthony and some First Nations in the Yukon that feel that one should eat what one catches. However, as an angler that wants to pass this magnificent activity on to my kids I feel the need to support catch and release. At a very basic level, I feel that actively catching and releasing fish shows a commitment to interacting within fish and the environment, understanding it, sustaining it, and ultimately respecting it. I also greatly value harvesting and processing fish in order to respect the resource. I recall fishing for Pink salmon with my four year old son last year in Haines, AK. We fished until we caught a beautiful fresh female in the mouth. We processed it on shore and I put the still beating heart into his hands and watched it still pump. We then cooked it up and ate it all. I think this was an incredible lesson that he still talks about.
I have attached a very simple argument for catch and release below. I welcome your thoughts.
For some tips on catching and releasing fish “the Yukon” way, visit the Yukon Fish and Game Association website.
From the Catch and Release Foundation website.
For a youngster the simple act of returning a caught fish to the water to fight another day represents a beginning in the process of discovery and awareness that leads to an understanding of the inter-relatedness of all living things and the importance of mans wise stewardship of his environment.
These young people comprise more than one third of our population. With a greater than ever percentage living in the cities and suburbs, it is becoming increasingly difficult to reach these urbanites with a conservation-education message. At the same time, a growing population exerts and ever-increasing demand on our natural resources. The development of a conservation ethic among our young people is critical if theses resources are to be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.
If you have ever caught a fish and enjoyed it… if you want your children to have the same chance… if you have ever watched a clear stream flowing over clean rocks and gravel and fell that this is one of the good things of the earth… if you want to help the future of America, The Catch & Release Foundation is one vehicle aimed at saving this heritage.
I release probably 95% of what I catch. I have no problem with keeping one now and then, and I believe that if youre going to eat animals, maintaing a connection with what it really takes to put them on your dinner plate is important. But the truth is, I simply dont need to keep and eat everything I catch, and particularly with smaller fish, Id rather give them another chance to mature and then maybe catch them again. And even with bigger fish that I catch, sometimes Im happy just to admire them and return them to their environment. In the bigger picture, I think its easy to fall into the perception that our resources are limitless in a place like the North, but its worth remembering that many other places that are now dealing with decimated and artificially-sustained fisheries, forests that are little more than rotating tree farms, etc. had the same mentality not all that long ago. Im hesitant to dictate what others should do, but like so many other things, I believe that balance, and a long-term view of what is sustainable, are the keys to keeping things healthy for future generations.
Bruce on June 29, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Let me begin by saying that I have a lot of respect for the views presented by Dennis, Bruce, and other catch and release anglers who practice it because they believe in sustainability.
Thats where I find common ground between our positions. My views re: catch and release are on record, but one thng I wholeheartedly agree with is sustainability. It guides my fishing practices as much as anyone else. You can be a conservation-minded angler and still keep your fish.
The fact is, we are luckier than many in that, if people fish responsibly, we should be able to maintain our fisheries. It is a wonderful priveledge, and I fully believe that we must treat it as a priveledge and not a right.
I would not keep fishor fish at allsomewhere that the resource was at risk. I am very conscious of maintaining the resource for future generations. If a time comes in the Yukon where we can no longer sustainably keep fish, I would stop fishing.
In the past four years in the Yukon I have caught probably a dozen fish, double that if you count salmon Ive caught in Haines. I catch many of my fish in stocked lakes, and I have never once taken my limit. I dont even fish unless I know I will have a chance to cook and eat the fish fresh.
While I see common ground on sustainability, I think where we differ is on the issue of morality. It speaks to how we, as a human beings, interact with my natural world. We bring different sets of values into play, and we make different decisions. Like I said, if youre doing it for the right reasons I take no offense.
Where I do take issue is with anglers who catch fish after fish like it is some kind of game or contest. I find no common ground with people who spend thousands of dollars to fly into a pristine lake and spend all day catching dozens of fish. Fishing TV shows and fishing derbys make me sick.
Likewise, I completely abhor someone who keeps fish they dont want to eat, takes more than they can use, dont properly process their catch, wastes meat or lets it spoil, or otherwise wastes the resource. That makes me even more sick.
Anthony on June 30, 2006 at 5:52 am
Im with Anthony on this one. I love to fish, and I love the fishing experience, but I fish for food. When Ive got what I need for food (to eat fresh or freeze for later) I stop fishing. After all, theres more to fishing that just the catching. Theres also:
- the journey to and from the fishing spot
- the peace and quiet OR time spent with your family/friends (mutually exclusive)
- cleaning the fish
- cooking the fish
- choking on the fish bones you missed
I like rabbits and (bush) chickens, but I dont catch and release rabbits and chickens. Ill harvest what I need and leave the rest in peace. That doesnt lessen the outdoor experience for me. It makes it greater.
Michael on June 30, 2006 at 8:46 am
Post a comment
Sorry, comments are disabled 10 days after the publication date.
.
Preview of comment
Subscribe
Like what you're reading? Subscribe to updates via RSS.
3 comments so far