Fishing or Shopping?

I was recently watching a hunting show on ESPN2. The topic was safari in Africa. The host was interviewing a well-known PH (Professional Hunter), or guide, and the conversation turned to the PH's feelings on the expectations of folks who pay to hunt in Africa. In a nutshell, the PH expounded on his views pertaining to the tradition and lore of safari. He then concluded with the attitude that he prefers to spend his time with sports who go on safari for the proper reasons, and not with folks who simply want to go "shopping" for trophies.

I know that statement made my thoughts immediately focus on the mental image of the Salmon River on Columbus Day. How many folks come to the river to "shop" for fish? Do you? Have you? Can we liken that statement about safari hunting to less-remote outing for salmon and steelhead?

In my opinion I think we must.

If one only comes to the river in the fall to catch trout and salmon, then they are missing out on the opportunity to behold one of the most magnificent life cycles known. In addition, this is all happening in a place where it should not be. As an introduced fishery, we should all marvel at it's success. Likewise, because it is an introduced fishery, we should not be surprised with the growing pains, bumps, or failures.

Each spring, millions of wild and stocked Chinook Salmon, stocked Silver salmon smolts, and thousands of trout and steelhead fingerlings and smolt swim in to Lake Ontario. In the coming years those fish will survive the perils of the lake, put on tens of pounds and dozens of inches, and return, sometimes to the same tributary in which they originated, to spawn.

Coupled with this migration comes some fairly drastic physiological changes in order for the fish to carry eggs and sperm, build redds, compete for spawning rights, and to spawn. Changes in temperament, coloration and temperate tolerances. Changes in dental features, jaw structure and diet. Changes that make them unique.

On the land there are countless critters who will benefit from the eventual demise of these fish, either directly as a menu item,or indirectly as they feed on the smaller creatures who feed on the carcasses.

In the water, the nutrient loading of the decaying carcasses, as well as the flesh and eggs, provides nourishment to nearly all creatures that live in the streams and rivers bordering the lake.

Let's not forget the folks who are intimately involved with the health and well-being of a fishery that has been relatively newly created, and is ever-changing. How many man-hours do you imagine are logged in an effort to research, maintain, and protect this fishery? Place a dollar figure on it. Add to it the economy of the local towns, villages, and hamlets that depend on these fish to help them survive year-to-year. To a degree this is done for the angler's benefit.

I'm not going to preach. What I am going to do is challenge you to ponder what part you play in this life cycle. Do you simply "shop" for trophies; discarding, mistreating, or weeding-through those that "don't count?" Or do you continually try to educate yourself so that you can grow in your appreciation for this fishery? Does the nonsense you see bother you, or do you contribute to it and try to justify it? Put plainly: Do you give anything back?

I'm but a small part of this wonderful ecosystem but I care. If, at any time you feel the need to challenge yourself in any way please contact me. We'll discuss your thoughts or ideas and I'll get you in touch with the resources that you need to act. Take ownership of this fishery. Make it better.