Be Responsible and Be Kind

For those of you that were Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, a key principle we were taught was to “Leave no trace”. In a nutshell, this means to respect the rights of other users of the outdoors as well as future generations. How many times have you gone to a public boat ramp and found it covered in garbage? Food wrappers, foam containers, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans commonly litter these places. My Dad always taught us boys to leave the trail better than we found it, and that meant to pick up after ourselves as well as others. If we want the public to respect anglers, it’s critical that we do a better job as stewards of public resources. If the trash is full or there isn’t a can around, carry your own and others’ trash out with you.

If you’ve spent any time at all on outdoor forums, you’ve experienced the ‘know-it-all one-uppers’ that criticize other peoples’ catch. For some folks, following the rules just isn’t good enough, and these keyboard warriors are always eager to share their opinion. For example, fish are too small or too big to keep, they’re handled too rough or out of water too long, or God forbid somebody kept too many, regardless of the actual regulations. These forums are supposed to provide an opportunity for us to share best practices, congratulate peoples’ success, and learn new approaches. Instead, too often they devolve into sword fighting and arguing about who the ‘expert’ is based on their on the water achievements. Next time you visit your favorite fishing forum, if folks are operating within the law, whether you disagree with them or not, keep your opinion to yourself and just be kind. Don’t resort to name calling or lean on anecdotal evidence to try and “prove” your point when you disagree. Doing so creates a hostile environment and discourages the type of information sharing the sites are designed to support. When people don’t feel comfortable sharing they either find a new site or stop contributing all together, to the detriment of all.  

In 2022, when you’re on the water emphasize the fellowship, morals, spirituality, and sense of inclusion that fishing provides. Resolve to break old habits and turn over a new leaf to be a better angler and ambassador for the tradition and lifestyle we love. Pick up that empty nightcrawler container, nest of fishing line, or collection of beer cans. Lend a hand at the boat ramp to the newbie launching a boat for the first time instead of cursing them from the cab of your truck. Share intel on where the fish are biting to a neighbor taking his son or daughter fishing. Better yet, invite them to join you on your next outing! When you’re online, don’t criticize others’ catch or trophy. You don’t know them, their skill level, or how often they get outdoors. If you have knowledge to share, like a hack that would improve odds at success or help solve a problem, be kind and forthcoming. Last and certainly not least, don’t be a negative Nelly, know-it-all-one-upper, keyboard warrior! We’re all in this together and we don’t always have to agree on everything. However, we should be able to discuss and agree to disagree without hurt feelings or aggression. In the end, anglers will reap what we sow and we will either rise or fall together. Let’s not be another Colombia, and instead keep our proud fishing traditions protected for the next generation.