People that leave trash

[ww2farmer]

I have had two guys in my boat that thought nothing of tossing used soft plastics in the lake. I strongly cautioned them against doing so in my site again. One guy, was generally ignorant of the issues it could cause, and I think my "talk" with him changed his ways. The other guy.............let's just say was pretty flip about it, and him and I do not fish together anymore.

[OCdockskipper]

A couple of off-shoot thoughts on this topic:

 

There was an episode of "Madmen" that was set in the early 1960's.  The Draper family was on a picnic at a scenic site near a stream.  As they go to leave, Don Draper finishes his beer, crunches the can & throws it in the stream.  His wife picks up the picnic blanket and just shakes all the trash and food remnants on to the shoreline.  It was kind of a throwaway look back to what was normal for many people back in that time, but is odd to see today.

 

The comic strip "The Far Side" had a strip one time where a bear backed a truck full of trash up to the window of a home & dumped all the trash inside it, with the homeowner looking shocked that anyone would dare throw garbage where someone else lived.

 

From one of Steve Martin's comedy albums - "Before I go, let me leave you with a piece of advice my father gave me that I will never forget: Always- no, never- no, always keep a litter bag in your car. It won't take up much room, an if it gets full, you can always just... throw it out the window." 

[dwh4784]

There's a local spot with great bank access that just gets absolutely trashed. Last time I was there I saw among other things, a Strike King spinnerbait package someone opened and tossed on the ground. An empty 32oz bottle of white grape juice. Two family size cans of corn. Countless styrofoam worm containers. Line everywhere. The best was a grocery sack full of trash someone tied about 6' up in a tree, but hey at least they bagged it up I guess. It's embarrassing to even fish there because of what people do. I do pick some of it up, but some of it is just too ridiculous.

 

Another favorite is a lake that has selective gear rules, no bait or barbed hooks. Funny how every time I stop by there you can't help but notice worm containers and powerbait all over the ground. Problem is there is zero enforcement around here. I've fished my entire life and never once had my gear or license checked in Washington. Twice in Idaho I've been stopped, once they even came on the boat and checked every livewell and compartment because they saw we came out of a catch and release only lake. I wish Washington actually cared that much.

[Oregon Native]

Carry trash bags in the boat....usually sometime during the day will take a few minutes and do some collecting.  I personally don't say anything to anyone as words do not usually do much except start a confrontation.  This day and age people get too butt hurt over little things and many can't even take care of themselves let alone our great outdoors.  Don't get me wrong .... many good people out there...just not enough.

[BillP]

I pick up trash but I never see the people that drop the trash

It is not a huge problem where I fish but I could see it being a problem in more urban areas

[edfitzvb]

I rarely give lectures, but if I see it, I make it a point to walk over and fix it while the person is still there to see. Hopefully that will be enough to stop them from that point. If I am fishing, I wil pick up litter that I encounter and put it in the boat or in my pocket, depending on where I am. There is a local urban lake I used to fish that was staffed by park rangers. I always came away with a plastic baggy full of snarled line, small cans, etc. The ranger told me once that fishermen were the messiest people he knew. I like to think that the messy folks are people that fish once in a while, not those of us who fish whenever we can. It was a sad indictment

[lonnie g]

usually don't create conflict. but do try to  set an example to my grandsons. of the beauty of gods creation, and its up to us to manage.   

[Largemouth21]

On 1/11/2017 at 0:25 PM, Yeajray231 said:

People that leave trash... Are trash. 

X2

 

23 hours ago, edfitzvb said:

I rarely give lectures, but if I see it, I make it a point to walk over and fix it while the person is still there to see. Hopefully that will be enough to stop them from that point. If I am fishing, I wil pick up litter that I encounter and put it in the boat or in my pocket, depending on where I am. There is a local urban lake I used to fish that was staffed by park rangers. I always came away with a plastic baggy full of snarled line, small cans, etc. The ranger told me once that fishermen were the messiest people he knew. I like to think that the messy folks are people that fish once in a while, not those of us who fish whenever we can. It was a sad indictment

I know what you mean. People like that (who litter) give us anglers a bad name. 

[nascar2428]

As a dedicated bank fisherman, I know first hand how messy my fellow anglers are. I haven't fished a lake or pond where I haven't picked up someone else's trash. I have two goals when I arrive, to catch fish and to police the area for trash. Sometimes I don't catch a fish, but I always end up with a plastic bag of trash. To answer the OP's question, I never approach an offender, seems like a waste of time to me. They know the difference between right and wrong.

[mixel]

I'm also a bank fisherman so I witness all kinds of trash. Plenty of broken glass, wads of fishing line, styrofoam worm cups, empty powerbait type jars, beer cans, beer bottles, clothes, and tons of other crap. It's pretty sickening at one spot called the Mendota Slough. I won't even bank fish there any more.

 

And I never say anything to anyone trashing the place.

1. A lot of people around here, especially outdoors people, pack heat.
2. If you think by having a conversation with a grown adult about the littering is going to change their point of view, you need a reality check. This goes right along with road rage people. If the littering person has made it this far in life and they are still stupid enough to liter and trash places they like to spend time at, no amount of condescending remarks or stern warning from you is going to magically change their mind. It's much more likely you'll get in a fight, or get your tire flattening in the parking lot, or your truck keyed.
3. A lot of people can't hold their cool. They have some internal trigger mechanism that's easy to set off by another person trying to argue their point with them. That saying, you can't argue with stupid, applies more often than not with these type of people.

 

 

[Kevinator1]

If i see them do it, i just shoot them....tie on 2 cement blocks to their limbs....then drop the body off at a break point for fish cover....just kidding...but people who do that are pathetic. How hard is it to dump trash where it belongs.....lazy people. 

[BrianSnat]

Unfortunately fellow anglers are often the worst offenders.  I constantly see empty styrofoam bait containers, big balls of mono, beer and soda cans and empty bags of fast food on the banks of streams and lakes.

 

I won't call someone out in person because you never know what sort of nutcase the person (or people) are. I have  written down license plate numbers of offenders and reported to the police.  Not once did something come of that, at least that I know of.  I have cleaned up the messes if I have a room to carry it.

[frosty]

There is a small pond down the road from me, the fishing isn't great, but it's close to home and you can catch a few dinks. I like to go there when I take my 3 year old with me because there is room for him to run around on the bank and play while I fish. Unfortunately it's gotten so trashed that I don't like taking him there anymore. The catfisherman are the worst, cut bait left rotting on the bank, empty chicken packages, beer bottles. It's disgusting to say the least. I always carry out my trash, and I make it a point to teach my kids to do the same thing. 

[dnj21]

I always have an empty bag for trips, surprising how often you fill it (sadly).  Also do this for duck hunting, shocked how many people don't pick up their empties in a public marsh.

 

Bought my now 5 year old her own net specifically for dipping cups, bags, etc out of the lake while we are fishing.  Only downside is she gets sidetracked on trash duty at times and loses fishing time    

[Paul Roberts]

Some related asides...

 

I read a study looking at trash build-up on an Indian reservation. The question was why would they "choose" to live that way? The study concluded that the problem was deeper than "choices". In light of poverty, choices were a luxury. They didn't have a trash collection system. They were too busy surviving to think about "aesthetics". Aesthetics are a luxury. I became SO aware of this living in the Philippines, just how lucky we are to be able to afford to appreciate the what we have, among these the luxury of choices and aesthetics. 

 

Another study compared city areas with trash and vandalism with those kept clean. Those with trash were not respected. Those cleaned up were respected. It was automatic. I have my son straighten up his room when he has friends over; He's less apt to have something messed up or broken if that space shows some self respect. It appears to work.

[HoosierHawgs]

I work for our local parks department , which is located in the park I Fish most often. I pick up all trash I see (bait boxes, cartons, styrofoam cups, cigs,) on and off the job. Can't stand to see a nice park like the one we have being trashed. In another park that we operate in there has even been vandalism recently. Working in groundskeeping professions for 2 years now has made me much more considerate in terms of disposing waste (I don't throw away half full bottles anymore for example). 

 

As for confronting, if they do it right in front of me, yes I say something. 

[1simplemann]

I agree. People who leave trash ARE trash. I fill up my kayak often on our float trips. Pack it in, pack it out! I don't understand how someone can carry worm, brand new lures, beer pop, etc miles down a river bank and then just throw it in the ground. I run into this problem at every fishing access i go to and it absolutely infuriates me. I would absolutely say somthing and have done so in the past. I once was on a head boat in Calabasis, SC. The mates were throwing bait boxes, used line, pop cans etc. into the ocean 60 miles off shore. I mentioned something to the young mate. He said it's OK because we're "way out here, pop cans are dissolved by the salt water". I about blew a gasket. Instead of losing it, I told him it's not OK.  My SnL was cut on the foot the day before by "dissolved" can. The kid was 15-16 years old and was obviously influenced by the older mate and the Captain so there was no getting thru to him. He had a smart ash answer for everything that I tried to explain to him.  I spoke to another fisherman and he said the littering was the same way the previous summer when he fished on the boat.  When I got home I called the owner of the boat. I explained the situation and he said they're actions were unacceptable and that he would put a stop to it. Hopefully changes were made but I will never fish with that boat again even though every body caught lots of fish. It's a huge pet peeve of mine and true outdoorsman would never do it and they would teach their children and others not to litter.

[Jaderose]

It depends on whether I confront.  The lake I fish is out in the middle of nowhere.  There are a group of somewhere around 20 "regulars" that fish this pretty little lake hard and even though it is a Missouri Conservation area, we all take out stewardship of this lake pretty seriously.  It gets a lot of weekend bank pressure...people coming out from the towns around here to fish and picnic and such.  A lot are young families and younger people in general.  They are pretty teachable if you approach them in the right way.  Just yelling at them doesn't do anything.  I point out WHY it's bad for the lake and the wildlife to throw line in the water.  Why it's bad to leave soda cans and six pack rings and bait containers around.  Heck, I've even PAID littler kids (with parents permission, of course) to walk around and pick up trash.  It's fun if you make a game out of it.  Say ...a dollar for first 5 pieces and a quarter per for more.  For the older crapbags I see making a mess, I note the license plate and report to MDC.  We have a terrific Agent around here whose husband also happens to be one of the regulars on this particular lake...so we take pretty good care of it

[Oregon Native]

Had a good day on the water yesterday.  Grandkids caught a ton of white bass and while going down the lake we made a game of picking up bottles and trash while boat was moving.  Grandsons dad was holding his pants while he was grabbing items.  If he missed I got em.  They loved it.  The youngest helped steer the boat and giving directions where the next target was.  I could have filled the boat but we did a small part and will do it again.

Tight Lines

[The Bassman]

17 hours ago, HoosierHawgs said:

I work for our local parks department , which is located in the park I Fish most often. I pick up all trash I see (bait boxes, cartons, styrofoam cups, cigs,) on and off the job. Can't stand to see a nice park like the one we have being trashed. In another park that we operate in there has even been vandalism recently. Working in groundskeeping professions for 2 years now has made me much more considerate in terms of disposing waste (I don't throw away half full bottles anymore for example). 

 

As for confronting, if they do it right in front of me, yes I say something. 

 

If you want to see serious trash walk the 56th St. causeway on the south (rocky side).  It's saddening.  I remember when Eagle Creek reservoir opened to the public in 1970 how nice it was.

[1simplemann]

I would like to see the TV shows talk about this. They have a public platform that could spread the message to millions. Back in the 60"s, there was a lot of trash in our National Parks even in the remote back country campgrounds. They have since instituted the Pack it In, Pack it Out program. It has done a nice job. The upcoming younger generation needs to be taught the value and beauty of our great outdoors. I get inflamed when i find a beer can 2-3 miles back in the mountains while elk hunting because obviously it was full at some point and if they took the trouble to carry it in there full , they could have carried it out empty. I would like to take a full trash bag and dump it in the middle of a litterer's living room. Maybe then they would get the message.

[blckshirt98]

People who don't throw away their own trash is a pet peeve of mine.  This goes back to when I was in 8th grade as a timekeeper for my junior high school's basketball games.  The scorekeeper who was a parent of one of the players was eating a candy bar.  After the game as I was leaving  I put on my vest that I had hung on the back of my chair, put my hand into the pockets, and found his candy wrapper.  What kind of an a**hole parent puts his trash into the vest of a 13 year old.  So yeah, take care of your own trash.

[Bassun]

On 1/11/2017 at 3:17 PM, gimruis said:

Ice anglers are the worst.  They'll leave all kinds of crap behind them from their drunken outings on the ice and then when the ice melts and breaks up, it either sinks or ends up as floating debris.

 

You guys should visit a place like Brazil or India sometime.  Our rivers, lakes, and waterways are pristine compared to some other parts of the world.  Heck, even in Rio where the Olympics were in August, only half the sewage is treated before it gets discharged into Guanabaro Bay.

No experience with Ice Fishermen personally, but locally - people catfishing are hands down the worst.  I think, personally, it's because most of them are not even really there to fish, rather just drink and do whatever.  They are not vested in the sport, or the environment, and end up ruining access for those who do enjoy it for what it is.  There are a bunch of places locally, where one could go fish on private land, which the landowners just outright deny access anymore.  I've spoken to a few and in each case it was because of destruction and litter.  

On 1/16/2017 at 8:23 AM, Oregon Native said:

Had a good day on the water yesterday.  Grandkids caught a ton of white bass and while going down the lake we made a game of picking up bottles and trash while boat was moving.  Grandsons dad was holding his pants while he was grabbing items.  If he missed I got em.  They loved it.  The youngest helped steer the boat and giving directions where the next target was.  I could have filled the boat but we did a small part and will do it again.

Tight Lines

 

That's how it's done!  They experienced a great time fishing - experienced a great time with family - and helped clean up the waters.  100% guaranteed the next time you guys go out, they will want to snag bottles.  That's instilling value!  Well done!

[frosty]

52 minutes ago, Bassun said:

No experience with Ice Fishermen personally, but locally - people catfishing are hands down the worst.  I think, personally, it's because most of them are not even really there to fish, rather just drink and do whatever.  They are not vested in the sport,

I think you're 100% correct. Most of the trash I find is obviously from people targeting catfish. I'm sure there are many catfisherman that are just as thoughtful about the environment as we are, unfortunately the few who trash the local pond here severely outnumber them. 

[mixel]

1 hour ago, Bassun said:

No experience with Ice Fishermen personally, but locally - people catfishing are hands down the worst.  I think, personally, it's because most of them are not even really there to fish, rather just drink and do whatever.  They are not vested in the sport, or the environment, and end up ruining access for those who do enjoy it for what it is.

I agree. Around here, it seems the trash is almost 100% caused by the people fishing for catfish.

 

I disagree on why though. I believe it's deep rooted in culture and how they were raised. I say culture because having traveling to many other countries, I've seen it first hand how kids are not discouraged from trashing their own beaches, cities, and mountains. Example. Driving through Santiago, Chile, I pulled up at a red light next to a bus full of school kids. Three (!) kids at different windows just randomly threw away their soda cans and candy/food wrappers. I found out later, it's just not enforced in their family values, and it's not a priority to teach them not to do it. I saw quite a few adults doing the same thing, mostly in broad daylight, in front of everyone, and nobody but myself seemed to notice.

 

Too bad there is no way to enforce littering laws.

 

How about an 'adopt a lake' program similar to 'adopt a highway'?