Pick up trash.......

[Mobydick]

I seen someone pick up a peice of trash by the river yesterday. I got to thinking, if everytime we go out fishing, we pick up at least one peice of trash. It would somewhat help, wouldn't it. So, every time you go fishin, just pick up a peice of trash, throw it in a trash can or in a plastic bag. Together, we can make a difference, anyone agree?

                                                        THE NUCLEAR PHYSICIST

[G3 Fan]

I totally agree, we keep small plastic shopping bags and we always try to bring out more than we went in with. The biggest  problems in our area seems to be the guys that build a fire and fish all night. Amazing how much beer some people can drink in one night.

You are right though if we all do our part some land owners may change their mind about letting people fish their land.

[Red]

yeah i agree too...like if i snag someone elses line and end up reeling it in, i ball it up and throw it in my box and toss it out later

[Guest avid]

IMHO Trout unlimited is the pace setter for sportsmanship and conservation in the angling world.

Along time ago they started the "carry out what bring in" slogan so anglers wouldn't litter the streams and woods.  Shortly after however they ammended it to "carry out more than you brought in"

This is essentially your message.  There is no reason to walk past trash even if you didn't put it there.

I'm not suggesting any individual be the "sanitation engineer" for thier lake, but I try to pick up at least one or two pieces of trash that I see in or around the lake every outing.  

It makes the lake look nicer, and I feel good about myself.

Haven't seen many "Coney Island Whitefish" since I left NY but those I leave alone.  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

RE: Pick up trash....... this is the same thought that was behind my first couple of girlfriends

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

IMHO Trout unlimited is the pace setter for sportsmanship and conservation in the angling world.

Along time ago they started the "carry out what bring in" slogan so anglers wouldn't litter the streams and woods.  Shortly after however they ammended it to "carry out more than you brought in"

This is essentially your message.  There is no reason to walk past trash even if you didn't put it there.

I'm not suggesting any individual be the "sanitation engineer" for thier lake, but I try to pick up at least one or two pieces of trash that I see in or around the lake every outing.  

It makes the lake look nicer, and I feel good about myself.

Haven't seen many "Coney Island Whitefish" since I left NY but those I leave alone.  

Trout Unlimited- I make a donation every year at the table they set up on opening day.  It's a small donation and I only fish trout this 1 day a yr but I embody their mission statement and feel great about helping a little.

Ask Dirk,Matt 5.0, NATHANJAMES,Redtail,nboucher, ArtPasley,and the many more members I've take there, we essentially patrol the lake EVERY time we are there which can be daily on many weeks.  I've fished this semi-private water for 20 yrs now.  My access hasn't happened by accident.  

It also gives me a personal touch to the lake.  I keep the sides of the road clean just the same as if it was the curb in front of my house, and now,after 20 yrs, it feels like it is.

"In the city or in the woooooods......Help keep America,...LOOKING GOOD!!

Give a hoot, DON'T POLLUTE!! "

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I always come back with trash others have left. SAD TO SAY ITY IS MOSTLY FISHERMAN!  I bring back: 6 pak holders,Fast food waste,tons of disgarded line, those   styrofoam nightcrawler holders and snelled hook packages that litter the shore line. Why is it that the guys who are fishing leave this crap behind?

[Pond-Pro]

I think it would be great if everyone would do this.   I always try to throw away some trash if I find it while fishing.  Lets not make fishermen have the image of litterbugs.  

Your first post Muddy,    

[PaparockArk]

As an Eagle Scout with my best friend being American Indian I believe in the practice of leaving any place at least as clean as I found it and if others have left the mark of man upon it try to moderate that affect. A father that because he wanted me to have the benefits of scouting and there was no Boy Scout Troop, started scout troops wherever we lived until I achieved Eagle blessed me. I have benefited from that all my life. All boys should be bleesed with such fathers as I had.

[justfishin]

I agree 100%. Along the Upper Potomac here in Maryland along each little path leading to the river I always see empty worm cartons, empty tackle packs and drink bottles. Most of us go in a bag up some of the stuff after the fishing day. We don't get it all but, every little bit hurts. I saw some guys camping last year and when I was going back down river in the afternoon they were leaving and had a virtual land fill laying in the area. I told them I had some trash bags in the boat if they needed them and they told me to to  come in and pick it up if it bothered me. They were hammered. I just went on down river and called the DNR on my cell. They got fined big time and stopped at a local bait shop along the river and asked the guy if he knew me and went to the ramp and waited on me. I pulled up and they were going to clean my clock. Some of the guys from the shop came down to the ramp expecting what was going to happen. They had shotguns with them and never said a word except to me, as in Hello Jim, fish biting?  I pulled my .357 Colt Python out and laid it on the butt  seat without saying a word. They just got in their car and left,lol.

[PaparockArk]

I agree 100%. Along the Upper Potomac here in Maryland along each little path leading to the river I always see empty worm cartons, empty tackle packs and drink bottles. Most of us go in a bag up some of the stuff after the fishing day. We don't get it all but, every little bit hurts. I saw some guys camping last year and when I was going back down river in the afternoon they were leaving and had a virtual land fill laying in the area. I told them I had some trash bags in the boat if they needed them and they told me to to come in and pick it up if it bothered me. They were hammered. I just went on down river and called the DNR on my cell. They got fined big time and stopped at a local bait shop along the river and asked the guy if he knew me and went to the ramp and waited on me. I pulled up and they were going to clean my clock. Some of the guys from the shop came down to the ramp expecting what was going to happen. They had shotguns with them and never said a word except to me, as in Hello Jim, fish biting? I pulled my .357 Colt Python out and laid it on the butt seat without saying a word. They just got in their car and left,lol.

There is more than one type of trash in this world and it looks like you ran across some. Having owned and operated SouthFork Resort on the south fork of the Spring River in north Arkansas for canoe and kayak trips before selling and final full retirement, I and friends along the rivers there also had to deal with that type. The South Fork of the Spring River is a quality smallmouth stream. Thank you for making a stand for the land, water and what is right. You deserve a hat tip as many now days would just let it pass.

[Guest Bountiful_Waters]

RedTorpedo hit it on the head. I bring in enough line from an 8hr day to respool BPS. Usually get a few free baits while I am at it. I can understand a bank fisherman not being able to retrieve line, but there is no excuse for leaving 10-20 yds of line in the water. I counted the number of times I got snagged in old line 2 weeks ago on a small public lake. 6 Times. I couldn't believe it. I don't know how they break off that much line from a boat. If I am getting caught in it, I can only imagine the number of trolling motors and wildlife that get caught up in that mess. Shame on those people.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I agree 100%. Along the Upper Potomac here in Maryland along each little path leading to the river I always see empty worm cartons, empty tackle packs and drink bottles. Most of us go in a bag up some of the stuff after the fishing day. We don't get it all but, every little bit hurts. I saw some guys camping last year and when I was going back down river in the afternoon they were leaving and had a virtual land fill laying in the area. I told them I had some trash bags in the boat if they needed them and they told me to to  come in and pick it up if it bothered me. They were hammered. I just went on down river and called the DNR on my cell. They got fined big time and stopped at a local bait shop along the river and asked the guy if he knew me and went to the ramp and waited on me. I pulled up and they were going to clean my clock. Some of the guys from the shop came down to the ramp expecting what was going to happen. They had shotguns with them and never said a word except to me, as in Hello Jim, fish biting?  I pulled my .357 Colt Python out and laid it on the butt  seat without saying a word. They just got in their car and left,lol.

It's nice to have friends that have your back too.  

[=Matt 5.0=]

Yep, this is my #1 pet peeve. Some of the local spots around here are absolutely ruined. That's why I enjoy going up to the honey hole with LBH, it's pristine. You don't have to wade through a sea of garbage to put the boat in. I went and scoped out an old place I used to go, there was enough trash there to fill the back of my F150.

[justfishin]

Thanks P rock. Its good to have you back around. I missed your post. Most of the guys in that section of the U.P. have been fishing it way before it was popular to do so. My friend owns the bait shop across the street from the ramp. It is a party section where a lot of kids come to the bank on the weekends and party and there are a lot of night fisherman fishing for Catfish. I have seen most of them clean up and take their trash with them. Its always just a few that do not. This group I talked about are trouble. They are also a pretty tough bunch. I have to admit, when I pulled up to the ramp and saw them I knew it was going to be trouble, big trouble. I am not one to pull the gun out and would just as soon nobody knows I even carry it in the boat. I fish alone on that section frequently and just feel safer with it in the boat. I am sure they had a gun as well. Yes, the old posse coming to the ramp from the shop with shotguns was a welcome sight, I must admit,lol. I have seen that rough crew since and they said a few things but, that was about it. I guess them knowing I carry in the boat keeps them toned down somewhat. I let them ramble. They always throw beer cans and paper in the river if I go by and I just laugh at them. Its usually all drunk talk anyway. I pick up the stuff when I can.

[Red]

RedTorpedo hit it on the head. I bring in enough line from an 8hr day to respool BPS. Usually get a few free baits while I am at it. I can understand a bank fisherman not being able to retrieve line, but there is no excuse for leaving 10-20 yds of line in the water. I counted the number of times I got snagged in old line 2 weeks ago on a small public lake. 6 Times. I couldn't believe it. I don't know how they break off that much line from a boat. If I am getting caught in it, I can only imagine the number of trolling motors and wildlife that get caught up in that mess. Shame on those people.

well i havent managed to get any free lures yet..but i keep hoping....once i tried to help a Loon that had line all wrapped up in its wing and around its neck...it couldnt fly and of course swam off when i approaced trying to help...about a week later i found it dead on the shore nearby where i saw it