What do you say to somebody like this ???

[Fish Chris]

As some of you might have heard me mention, I moved to a new place about 6 weeks ago.

The new place is cool. Lots more space. Landlord is really friendly and laid back. The guy in the other room is cool too...... However, he just can't even start to understand the whole concept of C/R. The way he puts it, if your going to stick a hook in the thing, and drag it to your boat, you might as well just kill it immediatly, and take it home and eat it. If not, he doesn't think you should mess with "the poor thing".

He even went on to say, that if he was really hungry, and had to fish, that catching the fish would just be the "negative thing he had to do" to get to the positive thing, of having something to eat.

I tried to tell him why I believe I love it so much > That humans beings evolved as hunter / gatherers, and that 100,000 years ago, catching a fish, or killing an animal was a "very good thing" which meant that we and our family were not going to go hungry that day. I believe fishing and hunting is just part of our human ancestrial nature.

I KNOW why I love fishing. People who don't agree with it, don't really know why they don't...... For them it's not about logic, but rather, how it "feels" or how it "seems"...... Come to think about it, I had an ex that thought that way ;-) {oh, but at least she liked to fish :-)

Your thoughts ?

Peace,

Fish

[Guest muddy]

Just keep to sticking your pigs Chris. Why waste you breath taliking to a guy who is not ready to hear what you have to say?

[HesterIsGod]

My dad thinks similiarly. He enjoys fishing but just cannot comprehend why I release the bass I catch. People like that, they are very CLOSE-MINDED and will not listen to you. Just don't talk to him about it. Just explain to him that fishing is a sport, and is your passion. It would be futile to fish just for food, considering the expenses. Gas, Boat, rods/reels, tackle, etc... It would be much cheaper to buy a fancy fish dinner when you want fish.

[Jig Man]

I don't understand why you have to explain anything to anybody.  You are participating in a hobby/sport that is legal and to keep or not to keep it an individual's personal option.

I keep some species sometimes and other times I don't.  I do what I feel like and don't have to explain it to anyone.

[Grey Wolf]

We're all unique unto ourselves , he doesn't want to blieve in what you want to believe in , accept it and do your thing and let him do his.

[Popeye]

Yep, ditto to what the other guys said! No sense wasting your time trying to change the other guy's opinion. Just "do your thing" and be happy doing it. IMO:o)

[Quinn]

Not a dang thing (at least on that subject)

[backpain...]

I know all kinds of people like that, I don't bother a great deal with argueing. I tell them to each his own, I personally don't understand how people can go and sit for two to four hours watching/listening to fat ladies singing, but millions love opera.

[UrbanRedneck]

You also have to factor in culture.  Different cultures in this world look at things differently.

[Branuss04]

Funny you bring this up, I just had a quick conversation with a lady I work with about this today.  Her point was about sticking a hook into a fish's mouth and how would I feel if I had a hook in my mouth.  And how in-humane it is to the fish.I asked her if she was a member of P.E.T.A and walked away. Funny thing is that she works in a seafood department.  

[Pond Hopper]

Go back to California ;D

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

ask him if he ever tasted a bass as large as the one in your photo.

BLLLECCCCHHHH!!!  

[CJ]

I've had this same conversation more than once.

I just explain that "I" like to release what I catch so it may be caught again. It's one's right to keep their catch but my releasing it gives the chance to put a smile on someone else's face, like a kid.

When the "hook hurting the fish thing" comes up, I usually tell the story of how I caught the same fish twice within 20 minutes and then again the next day, on the same lure. It was a spotted bass with a very distinct black spot that cover half of it's head. It also had a scar on it's back. If it hurt that bad, the fish wouldn't have bit it again. Personally, I would feel selfish to keep em'. Why would I be so greedy that I would want to possibly rob someone else of the feeling I get with every hookset. Let alone put a poor fish under the knife after a hard fight. But it only takes about 20 minutes for a little river spot to rest up.

[jrhennecke]

You can't fight ignorance!

[Glenn]

Ignore him.  He's made up his mind, so it's worthless to try to change it. Besides, keeping a few every now and then helps the fishery overall (how do you think slot limits work anyway?).

As for people who project human emotions into animals - they're clueless.  See if they'll buy some land in Florida from you!  ;D

[Fish Chris]

I guess I was just kind of hoping that whoever my room mates were, that we could kind of be "somewhat" on the same page.

To be quite honest, while I know tons of people who are not as fish crazy as I am, I really don't know too many who have a problem with what I'm into. They just aren't into it themselves..... and I'm totally cool with that. But whatever a guy does, he better not start trying to tell me I shouldn't do what I love / live to do ! I mean, I'm a really nice guy, until somebody starts acting like that !

Anyway, I agree with you guys that trying to change the mind of somebody like my room mate is a futile waste of time. But I probably won't be seeing him very much for the next several months anyway. It's time to start fishing hard-core ! :-)

Peace,

Fish

[SV1000]

I am not sure from your post if your roommate is anti-fishing or anti-CR. I CR but not 100%, Catch and Eat serves a purpose especially on small bodies of water where the bass population is healthy and there is little fishing pressure to keep the dink population down.

If we are talking anti-hunting/fishing this is completely different. I have had more issues with anti-hunters than anti-fishing in the large city where I lived and worked the last 30 years in a corporate environment.

I had no problem reminding the anti's who were not vegetarian that "yes, I kill and eat wild fish and game; on the other hand, you pay other people to kill the animals and fish you eat", there is no difference whatsoever.

[fishing man]

i agree with everyone who say dont waste ur breathe with him, now if the guy was willing to listen and try to understand why we c/r. then i would try and explain it.

[GitRDoneIke23]

Go back to California ;D

GIT R DONE!!!!!!!

8-)

[Tin]

That humans beings evolved as hunter / gatherers, and that 100,000 years ago

Your thoughts ?

Peace,

Fish

Not trying to start anything, but.............100,000 years ago and "evolving" is just a THEORY  

You would have never even posted about that subject if you didn't want to start something.

As for your issue Chris, like Glenn said ignore that subject and talk about other things. When most people make up their minds about something, not too much will change them.

[Madhouse27]

Chris, On your way home from the next outing, drive through MacDonald's and pick your roomie up a delicious filet o' fish sandwich. Tell him you thought about what he'd said and wanted to bring one home for him to eat.

[Volman482]

As the old lady said as she kissed the cow "Everybody to their own notion"!!!

Volman

[skillet]

 I think I've heard all the responses possible when I try and explain catch & release and quit worrying about whether they understood or not. There are a number of things that my wife doesn't understand about me ;D but she completely understands about why I catch & release. The down side is she tries to explain the reasoning to those same Dummies, Bless her heart ...

                                  As Ever,

                                   skillet

[farmpond1]

In my humble opinion, just let him have his opinion and move on.  You won't change him any more than he's likely to change you.

[Dan:]

As for people who project human emotions into animals - they're clueless.  See if they'll buy some land in Florida from you!  ;D

Well said, Glenn. I could never understand why people try to equate animals with humans concerning emotions or ethical status. If someone holds that view, you aren't going to be able to change their mind very easily...