----- Original Message -----
From: "rob poutre" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [VFB] To release or not to release?
Shakespeare- was Brown Trout
I have always advocated eating what you catch as
long as it were within legal and
moral guidelines.
That's the hypocracy of it all.
Rob
Rob
Rob,
With the background you have, you should also know
that 'moral guidelines' are not in any fishing manual, at least one I've
ever received. We each create them (morals) for
ourselves. But can we enforce our morals on others? Of course,
we have the right to disagree, as we do with any moral or ethical decision of
another person. But that's all we can do- disagree. Only if Jack
said he'd never kill a fish as a trophy is he a hypocrite. And then it
would be only his problem, not mine, as the catch was legal. He has the
right to change his mind, unless he used his 'position' to judge others who had
done what he did. I know flyfishermen who believe it's moral and
ethical to keep and eat every fish caught, and quit fishing when the legal creel
limit is reached. They believe torturing a fish for fun is not a
sport. Maybe they have something.
Here we have what is legally defined as 'trophy
water'. That's not 'photograph and measure' trophies. That's take it
home, give it to a taxidermist, and make a trophy out of it. The limit
says "one fish over 22". It doesn't mention fish of superior genetics,
just larger size. Example: A smaller trout, possibly having superior
genetics for general survival, was eaten by a trophy-size fish that was
released. We'll never know. The moral and ethical debate is
outside the law.
Again, I won't pass judgement on Jack, as I
wouldn't want PETA passing judgement one me.
Respectfully Again,
DonO
