Mantua

[fishin_nut]

Amen to your philosphy. Not to far in the past I would have debated against you on some of your points on the basis of my experience and personal selfishness, not my knowledge. I know one thing for sure, a person that fishes as much as you do has a connection with many waters and their natural cycles and have without a doubt seen the affects from many things that influence them. I trust and have changed my view of the sport of fishing and my personal conduct from what you have to say as your many observations are the proof to the theories.

Thank-you for taking the time to "chime-in". I really appreciate it and learn much from it.

Now for my observation, the real problem with most of the waters like Mantua is that there are so many people using it because of it's close proximity to very populated places that the mere pressure, even without all the trash that gets introduced into it, prevents anything from gaining a natural balance to it.

Being an avid stream fisherman for most of my life I have watched the severe decline of habitat that has occurred on what used to be very naturally balanced waters. What is interesting about that is that I don't see more fishermen than I used to, I just see more pigs who take, take, take, and trash, trash, trash.

What good do the regulations do when there is not enough enforcement going on anyway??? It has been a long time since I even had my license checked let alone a peek in to the cooler. Should we be so offended if we are checked or should we encourage it and welcome it?

Enforcement will always be a poor substitute for sportsmanship as you have adeptly pointed out.

Here is my committment, where I once looked away, I will now actively take exception for the sake and future of our sport. Oh if I was only as bold and knowledgable as you to put the peer pressure that is so badly needed and so effectively done by you.

Thanks again!!!

Greg
[signature]