Stephen, This is one of the best, most logical and reasoned responses I have seen in a long time to this question of 'ethics'. If only more would understand 'ethics' in this light. Maybe then, we'd be far more prepared for the likes of PETA.
Thanks for a great answer. Ian H. Scott ICQ # 27933066 Fly Fishing Links and Resources http://www.about-flyfishing.com/ ******************************************** "Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through" - Jonathan Swift > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Stephen DiCerbo > Sent: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 9:41 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [VFB] light tackle and a question of ethics > > > At 04:22 PM 4/9/02, you wrote: > >Dear lister's, > >In my progression of fishing, I am finding myself > >wanting to catch bigger fish on lighter tackle. > >my question is this, lighter tackle means longer > >playing time. Thus the fish must get tired,and face a > >chance of dying.is it more ethical to use heavier > >tackle with fewer chances of harming the trophy or if > >done properly can a concious angler use lighter > >tackle. Im looking for more challenge in my angling > >the landing isnt as important to me as the battle > >itself but the most important thing to me is the > >welfare of the fish > > > Ethics are a system of personal beliefs..... if the most > important thing to you is the welfare of the fish, you have answered > your own question...... you can take this to the extreme of > not fishing > at all , or to some modification of fishing that limits the > sport and the > challenge, yet suits your feelings about the sport and the > endgame involved.... > > Some folks think the sport and the challenge is all in the > take of the > fly, the deception..... they are able to fish with flies that have no > points, and forgo the battle of wits and the adrenaline of the > fight, the > closure of "counting coup" received by landing the fish (in > whatever manner) > > For me, this is simply not possible........ the fight and the > conclusion of that fight are the biggest part of the sport..... > hell, the > fish can manage to hook himself through no skill of mine, half > the time..... > > I find, however, that there is a balance in the progression of > improved skill with lighter tackle.... you should reduce the "weight" > of your tackle only as you become skilled enough to land your > fish without > overstressing him....... how you fight him is how you fight > him..... If, during the fight you decide you wish to land the > prize at ANY > cost, and you mickey mouse around with a fish on light tackle , > you stand > the chance of overplaying him...... > > If, however, you decide while fighting him that you will do every > thing in your power to bring him in under the least stressful > conditions, > then you have made the choice between overplay or not to over > play.... the tackle doesn't do this..... you are either > skilled enough > to bring him in efficiently with the light tackle, or you are not skilled > enough to do so, and he breaks away, and is free. > > Understand that even heavy heavy tackle doesn't insure a quick and > effortless finish to the game.... little Tunny will tear off so fast > and so far as to be a serious threat to slicing your hand with the > flyline. Yet their excellent fighting instincts is often their > downfall, > as the intense effort changes their blood chemistry, and they can be a > challenge to revive after the fight. > > > One thing you do need to accept is that from point zero, > from impaling > the fish, you are stressing him, and putting him at risk..... > releasing a > fish upright and breathing doesn't insure his survival.... C&R is > less successful than most zealots think, and it is often times something > that they use to assuage their wounded ethics. It is a blood sport you > participate in, my friend.... at some level we all need to accept that. > > you might consider changing the structure of your > ethics..... I > come from a management background, and although fish are revered and > honored creatures to me, deserving of my respect..... I do not lose > sight of the fact that they are animals, a resource to be treasure and > maintained, but a dead fish is often part of the game. > > > Perhaps you got more rhetoric here than you wished, but I > believe your > answer can be found here, and is a matter of degrees.... > > > Splinta >
