Here's a shout-out to the good guys of fishing
By Charles Walsh
CORRESPONDENT
Updated: 07/12/2009 12:26:13 AM EDT
Despite a well-known tendency to exaggerate, fishermen are generally an easygoing bunch. Hang around just about any bait and tackle shop on a Saturday when the weekday warriors come in for extended bull sessions and you will nary hear a discouraging word. A few lies, perhaps, but precious little backbiting or criticism.
Sadly, the same is not always true with the various fishing bulletin boards. There anglers and non-anglers are free to anonymously post hostile comments and negative opinions on just about any person or subject.
To be sure, most of the postings on sites such as Ctfisherman, Surf Talk, and Reel-Time: The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing are valuable exchanges of fishing information, from where the fish are biting to advice on the best rod and reel combination for specific fishing situations.
Every now and then, though, someone just can not seem to resist the temptation to blast another poster or rant on about some fishing or boating behavior that annoys them. At times these "flames" can take all the fun out of perusing a Web fishing forum. Thankfully, most of the moderators of the bulletin boards keep a close watch for unacceptable posts, so even when an overly hostile comment does make it into a forum, it is usually taken down before much damage is done.
As firm believers in approaching life from the positive side, we thought it might be nice to give a shout-out to the fisher folks who are doing things right. Here's
to the angling heroes, sung and unsung:
n All hail former State Senator George "Doc" Gunther for his many years of fighting for the rights of Long Island Sound fishermen and for the health of the Sound itself.
n All hail the veteran anglers who take the time to teach kids to fish.
n All hail the boat and yacht clubs, like the Stratford Boat Owners Association, who conduct special kids-only fishing tournaments.
n All hail the bait and tackle shop owners who donate bait and equipment to youth fishing tournaments and programs.
n All hail the boaters who rigorously observe the "no wake buoys" in harbors, rivers and lakes.
n All hail the anglers who, having taken more fish than they can possibly consume, rather than discard uneaten catch fish, scour their neighborhoods for families who would love a nice fresh bluefish or fluke for supper that night.
n All hail the anglers who have decided that the thrill of hookup and fight is reward enough when they land a 28-inch-plus keeper striped bass. Using careful fish handling techniques, they return the bass to the water alive and well with their grateful thanks.
n All hail the owners of private beachfront homes who grant anglers access to the water through their property and who respect the time-tested right of public access to the area below the mean high-water mark.
n All hail the courteous boaters who take no wake zones seriously and who slow down when they pass a kayak or canoe.
n All hail the Department of Environmental Protection for showing some sense in allowing a couple of weeks for "educating" Long Island Sound fishermen to the need to have a saltwater fishing license before it starts to enforce the new law. (All hail to this column for finding something positive to say about the saltwater fishing license.)
n All hail Norwalk's Copp McNulty, for his lifetime of dedication to the cause of Long Island Sound fishing and his years of volunteer service to the Maritime Aquarium.
n All hail the Fairfield County McDonald's restaurant owners and operators who are giving a free ice cream cone to any child "caught" wearing a lifejacket on a boat. Any child who redeems a special reward card for doing the right thing while boating can go to a Fairfield County McDonalds to get their free cone. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection staff, participating local marine police departments and patrols, and local boating safety organizations will be on the lookout this summer for Fairfield County kids wearing life jackets. The goal is to get children to understand the importance of wearing their life jackets and following safe boating rules and regulations.
Readers are invited to contribute their own suggestions of individuals or groups connected with the fishing community that they feel are deserving of an "All hail." Send suggestions to this column at cwalsh@ctpost.com.
By Charles Walsh
CORRESPONDENT
Updated: 07/12/2009 12:26:13 AM EDT
Despite a well-known tendency to exaggerate, fishermen are generally an easygoing bunch. Hang around just about any bait and tackle shop on a Saturday when the weekday warriors come in for extended bull sessions and you will nary hear a discouraging word. A few lies, perhaps, but precious little backbiting or criticism.
Sadly, the same is not always true with the various fishing bulletin boards. There anglers and non-anglers are free to anonymously post hostile comments and negative opinions on just about any person or subject.
To be sure, most of the postings on sites such as Ctfisherman, Surf Talk, and Reel-Time: The Internet Journal of Saltwater Fly Fishing are valuable exchanges of fishing information, from where the fish are biting to advice on the best rod and reel combination for specific fishing situations.
Every now and then, though, someone just can not seem to resist the temptation to blast another poster or rant on about some fishing or boating behavior that annoys them. At times these "flames" can take all the fun out of perusing a Web fishing forum. Thankfully, most of the moderators of the bulletin boards keep a close watch for unacceptable posts, so even when an overly hostile comment does make it into a forum, it is usually taken down before much damage is done.
As firm believers in approaching life from the positive side, we thought it might be nice to give a shout-out to the fisher folks who are doing things right. Here's
to the angling heroes, sung and unsung:
n All hail former State Senator George "Doc" Gunther for his many years of fighting for the rights of Long Island Sound fishermen and for the health of the Sound itself.
n All hail the veteran anglers who take the time to teach kids to fish.
n All hail the boat and yacht clubs, like the Stratford Boat Owners Association, who conduct special kids-only fishing tournaments.
n All hail the bait and tackle shop owners who donate bait and equipment to youth fishing tournaments and programs.
n All hail the boaters who rigorously observe the "no wake buoys" in harbors, rivers and lakes.
n All hail the anglers who, having taken more fish than they can possibly consume, rather than discard uneaten catch fish, scour their neighborhoods for families who would love a nice fresh bluefish or fluke for supper that night.
n All hail the anglers who have decided that the thrill of hookup and fight is reward enough when they land a 28-inch-plus keeper striped bass. Using careful fish handling techniques, they return the bass to the water alive and well with their grateful thanks.
n All hail the owners of private beachfront homes who grant anglers access to the water through their property and who respect the time-tested right of public access to the area below the mean high-water mark.
n All hail the courteous boaters who take no wake zones seriously and who slow down when they pass a kayak or canoe.
n All hail the Department of Environmental Protection for showing some sense in allowing a couple of weeks for "educating" Long Island Sound fishermen to the need to have a saltwater fishing license before it starts to enforce the new law. (All hail to this column for finding something positive to say about the saltwater fishing license.)
n All hail Norwalk's Copp McNulty, for his lifetime of dedication to the cause of Long Island Sound fishing and his years of volunteer service to the Maritime Aquarium.
n All hail the Fairfield County McDonald's restaurant owners and operators who are giving a free ice cream cone to any child "caught" wearing a lifejacket on a boat. Any child who redeems a special reward card for doing the right thing while boating can go to a Fairfield County McDonalds to get their free cone. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection staff, participating local marine police departments and patrols, and local boating safety organizations will be on the lookout this summer for Fairfield County kids wearing life jackets. The goal is to get children to understand the importance of wearing their life jackets and following safe boating rules and regulations.
Readers are invited to contribute their own suggestions of individuals or groups connected with the fishing community that they feel are deserving of an "All hail." Send suggestions to this column at cwalsh@ctpost.com.