02-21-2008, 09:10 PM
Some of us are thinking about fishing, and no wonder.
There's only 55 days and 13 hours left to the opening of fishing season. Not that anyone's counting.
There's growing scuttlebutt in the angling community questioning the wisdom of catch-and-release angling.
There's increasing talk that catch-and-release isn't as benign as once thought, that released fish have been seen to behave erratically or simply die after a day or two.
If it's true, this throws the whole matter of catch-and-release fishing -- a huge part of fishing in New Brunswick, particularly with bass and salmon fishing -- into question. What's the sense of letting fish go if they are going to die? Is it only done to make the fisherman feel better, not the fish?
Some think so.
They say they've seen dead fish with evidence they'd been caught and released, and that they've seen for themselves released fish behaving oddly, including swimming in the wrong direction after their release and failing to spawn, and that they've seen this often.
They also wonder why jurisdictions where you can actually kill adult salmon aren't seeing any great declines in salmon populations.
Obviously, releasing a fish that has been played halfway to death does no one any good, except for some oaf's bragging rights back at the camp. Those fools might as well shoot the fish with a 12-gauge as release it -- the effect is the same, a wasted precious natural resource.
It's not clear yet what is the scientific truth of the matter and what's simply conjecture by well-meaning fishermen with decades of first-hand experience.
Until I'm convinced otherwise, I'll continue to err on the side of caution. Any fish that can toy with me on the end of my fly line for 10 minutes or so wins automatic freedom by being snapped off at that point, and any salmon that ends up in my frying pan will come accompanied by a sales slip from Moncton Fish Market.
l l l
Never has it been easier to meet other fishermen, learn tips, win prizes and just have a whole lot of fun on the water in New Brunswick.
There are two fishing tournaments taking place this year in the province, the N.B. Pro Bass Tour which will host five tournaments at fishing spots throughout the area and a separate series put on by the New Brunswick Sportfishing Association, both starting May 10.
Check 'em out at www.nbprobass.ca and www.nbsportfishing.ca, respectively.
If tournament fishing is a bit of a leap for you or your fishing ability, don't be shy, drop by one of their tournaments to chat with real experts in the sport.
These folks will be happy to help you out and you won't be a stranger to them for long.
I know.
I did exactly that and can attest that they are just about the friendliest bunch you will ever meet either on shore or off.
---
If you just can't wait for April 15 to get on the water, so-called "hard-water fishing" is in full swing.
Ice fishing isn't hugely popular in New Brunswick, though it does have its fans judging by the number of ice shacks you see on lakes and bays around the province -- a number that is up significantly this year.
On a nice day with low winds, you don't even need a hut for shelter but can fish out in the open.
Smelt season is in full swing and you don't even need a licence for that.
If you're a novice, it's best to take someone along who knows what they are doing because it's much more fun sitting out on open ice in February if you are actually catching fish and not just catching the wind.
There's only 55 days and 13 hours left to the opening of fishing season. Not that anyone's counting.
There's growing scuttlebutt in the angling community questioning the wisdom of catch-and-release angling.
There's increasing talk that catch-and-release isn't as benign as once thought, that released fish have been seen to behave erratically or simply die after a day or two.
If it's true, this throws the whole matter of catch-and-release fishing -- a huge part of fishing in New Brunswick, particularly with bass and salmon fishing -- into question. What's the sense of letting fish go if they are going to die? Is it only done to make the fisherman feel better, not the fish?
Some think so.
They say they've seen dead fish with evidence they'd been caught and released, and that they've seen for themselves released fish behaving oddly, including swimming in the wrong direction after their release and failing to spawn, and that they've seen this often.
They also wonder why jurisdictions where you can actually kill adult salmon aren't seeing any great declines in salmon populations.
Obviously, releasing a fish that has been played halfway to death does no one any good, except for some oaf's bragging rights back at the camp. Those fools might as well shoot the fish with a 12-gauge as release it -- the effect is the same, a wasted precious natural resource.
It's not clear yet what is the scientific truth of the matter and what's simply conjecture by well-meaning fishermen with decades of first-hand experience.
Until I'm convinced otherwise, I'll continue to err on the side of caution. Any fish that can toy with me on the end of my fly line for 10 minutes or so wins automatic freedom by being snapped off at that point, and any salmon that ends up in my frying pan will come accompanied by a sales slip from Moncton Fish Market.
l l l
Never has it been easier to meet other fishermen, learn tips, win prizes and just have a whole lot of fun on the water in New Brunswick.
There are two fishing tournaments taking place this year in the province, the N.B. Pro Bass Tour which will host five tournaments at fishing spots throughout the area and a separate series put on by the New Brunswick Sportfishing Association, both starting May 10.
Check 'em out at www.nbprobass.ca and www.nbsportfishing.ca, respectively.
If tournament fishing is a bit of a leap for you or your fishing ability, don't be shy, drop by one of their tournaments to chat with real experts in the sport.
These folks will be happy to help you out and you won't be a stranger to them for long.
I know.
I did exactly that and can attest that they are just about the friendliest bunch you will ever meet either on shore or off.
---
If you just can't wait for April 15 to get on the water, so-called "hard-water fishing" is in full swing.
Ice fishing isn't hugely popular in New Brunswick, though it does have its fans judging by the number of ice shacks you see on lakes and bays around the province -- a number that is up significantly this year.
On a nice day with low winds, you don't even need a hut for shelter but can fish out in the open.
Smelt season is in full swing and you don't even need a licence for that.
If you're a novice, it's best to take someone along who knows what they are doing because it's much more fun sitting out on open ice in February if you are actually catching fish and not just catching the wind.