| Reasonable people will readily agree that
| |
| | enlightenment. So when in doubt, ask for
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| Life is a series of choices. We hope (and
| |
| | help. Take lessons, observe others or
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| pray) that making good decisions will
| |
| | contact your lake's Pond Association -
|
| come more naturally as we mature and grow
| |
| | they are a great source of information.
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| older. In conjunction with these
| |
| | Good manners need to be learned, no
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| concepts, most individuals acknowledge
| |
| | matter where you find yourself. Common
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| that as adults, "we are personally
| |
| | sense, while obvious to most, is not so
|
| accountable for the results of those
| |
| | for all.
|
| judgements"; an idea that some people
| |
| | Fishing's informal principles include,
|
| have difficulty accepting.
| |
| | but are not limited to:
|
| Being a fisherman is definitely a hugely,
| |
| | * Treat fish with care; learn the
|
| conscious decision. For some, "To Fish or
| |
| | principles of Catch & Release.
|
| Not To Fish" is never a consideration for
| |
| | * Show respect for other people's
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| the true angler. After all, a
| |
| | property.
|
| considerable investment of time, money
| |
| | * Show respect for the environment; bring
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| and resources are required for the
| |
| | your own litter home with you; pick up
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| self-sufficient, stand-alone angler. As
| |
| | other people's trash (and set an
|
| your fishing budget grows, the number of
| |
| | example).
|
| "required" items increases significantly.
| |
| | * Don't disturb wildlife; for example, in
|
| A typical inventory can include:
| |
| | Maine, human destruction of a loon's nest
|
| * Boat, Engine, Spare Prop(s), Trailer,
| |
| | is a state offense.
|
| Towing Vehicle and state registration of
| |
| | * Keep a respectable distance from other
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| said items.
| |
| | fishermen; don't cross or drive over the
|
| * Fishing License, Rods and Reels (plus
| |
| | lines of others; Give other anglers (and
|
| spare parts).
| |
| | boaters) a wide berth.
|
| * Tackle Box, Spools of Filament (of
| |
| | * Don't bring blaring radios; if you must
|
| various thicknesses), Fishing Tackle
| |
| | have one, then bring headphones.
|
| (broken down by Fish Species), Bobbers,
| |
| | * Learn the State's boating laws.
|
| Weights, Hooks and Leaders.
| |
| | * Learn about the rights of property
|
| * Fishing Knives, Nets, Bait and other
| |
| | owners when accessing great waters by
|
| Sundry Stuff.
| |
| | foot.
|
| * Exotic gadgets such as Trolling Motors
| |
| | * Sharing fishing techniques.
|
| and Depth Finders.
| |
| | * Understand breeding patterns of
|
| * Food, Beverages, Trashbags, Gasoline,
| |
| | applicable species; return spawning fish
|
| Oil, Parking, Membership and Access Fees.
| |
| | back to the water.
|
| This is a fair amount of planning and we
| |
| | * When applicable, give your fishing
|
| have yet to reach the water. Then there
| |
| | partner every opportunity to catch fish,
|
| is the challenge of allocating quality
| |
| | just as you would expect him to give you
|
| time without negatively impacting
| |
| | the same opportunity if you were in the
|
| personal duties of church, family and
| |
| | back of his boat.
|
| work commitments. The complications of
| |
| | * If someone signals for emergency
|
| scheduling time may increase
| |
| | assistance, then respond immediately. The
|
| (exponentially) as one adds fishing
| |
| | fish can wait - Someday you may need
|
| companions. As one famous fisherman
| |
| | directional help or a tow.
|
| quipped, "If your job interferes with
| |
| | * Beware of what is going on; check
|
| your ability to fish, then quit your
| |
| | weather forcasts in advance.
|
| job." An ideal that many fishers strive
| |
| | * Do not spill gasoline, oil or other
|
| for today while others fall short.
| |
| | pollutants on land or into the water.
|
| So after this lengthy introduction,
| |
| | * Observe your speed, wake and wash,
|
| you're probably wondering "what is your
| |
| | while keeping a safe distance from
|
| point"? I'm glad you asked.
| |
| | jetties, water/shore-based anglers and
|
| Obviously, being a fisherman is not
| |
| | other watercrafts.
|
| unqiue - for there are many, many people
| |
| | * Mobile Phones are great for
|
| who enjoy this activity. The types of
| |
| | emergencies, but keep them turned off
|
| fishermen can be divided into three basic
| |
| | while fishing.
|
| categories:
| |
| | * It is also against the law to drink
|
| ** People who fish from "a Boat".
| |
| | alcohol in most fishing boats.
|
| ** People who fish from "the water".
| |
| | * Report environmental damage and
|
| ** People who fish from "the shore".
| |
| | pollution to the relevant (state and
|
| Regardless of which category you place
| |
| | local) authorities.
|
| yourself, the idea of "Personal Conduct"
| |
| | * Your actions should always be governed
|
| must be included. An investment of
| |
| | by what is right - BOTH ethically and
|
| fishing gear does not give one "exclusive
| |
| | legally.
|
| rights" to a fishing hole. The idea of
| |
| | * These ideals are for ALL fishermen;
|
| "sharing" is a lifelong concept; so
| |
| | gender, youth or old age are not
|
| accept it and move on. (In some areas, if
| |
| | acceptable excuses. Be polite when
|
| you're not cognizant of this ideal, there
| |
| | attempting to teach less skilled anglers.
|
| are people who will inflict bodily harm
| |
| | As a final thought, here is a quote from
|
| as a reminder. And for those who are
| |
| | Baba Dioum:
|
| unsure, I'm not from the school of
| |
| | ** ln the end, we will conserve only what
|
| "might" makes "right". Perhaps one day
| |
| | we love.
|
| I'll add the "Game Warden" to my cell
| |
| | ** We love only what we understand.
|
| phone list, should the need become
| |
| | ** We will understand only what we are
|
| apparent.)
| |
| | taught.
|
| For the genuine fisherman, a "Code of
| |
| | Please note: This list is not all
|
| Conduct" is automatic and second nature.
| |
| | inclusive; learn to use your brain for
|
| For others, who were not blessed with the
| |
| | something other than a seat cushion.
|
| legacy of a fishing family, they just
| |
| | Additional suggestions are welcomed.
|
| need some proper instruction and
| |
| |
|
