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It seems the war continues. No, not that one, the
one between us fly-fishers and those slime-bags who
want to shut us down. It looks like they are now
going to use some fish cartoons to try to convince
kids that fish have buddies, like each other, do not
like to be caught, are 'friends not food' and a whole
host of other ridiculous claims. What a load of crap.
We are out here, all of us, darn near every day
trying to instill ethics of conservation and
stewardship into the younger generations and
these jerks are trying to tear down all we do.
Why is it now considered very proper to lie like
hell about your cause, just because you think your
goal is so superior? Is that it? The ends justify
the means, any means, so long as you're successful?
"Friends, not food?" Great, just what we need.
Stuff like this seems to be going on at a constant
measure. They won't back off, and for sure we will
not quit.
Lately we have had another fine gentleman added to
a notable hall of fame. Wonderful, always inspirational
and nice to see these guys receive notoriety. I'm
sure the non-fish eaters are impressed. I hope a
few others will achieve recognition in the coming years.
But, right now we need soldiers, not generals. We
need the 'guys in the trenches' and 'boots on the
ground.' And we have them. T.U. and F.F.F. and
the countless hometown fly-fishing groups and
clubs. Those are our troops and from those ranks
will come our heros. Those are the groups we need
to continue to support and help grow. They are the
future of fly-fishing period. They are the ones who
will be cleaning the creeks, fighting the fights,
casting the votes and monitoring the managers of
the future.
The only way to survive the attack from these
non-fishing jerks is not to rest on our laurels
and yell about them, it's to go on a counter attack
of our own. Ask if there is a group you can help out
within your area, go to a meeting, help out at a
function of some sort, offer to teach a class on
some part of fly-fishing you might be qualified
to teach. Volunteer at a local sporting goods
store to teach casting in the parking lot. Get
involved. No time for this right now? Time spent
now may produce large rewards in the future, yours
or the next generations.
Someone in years past spent a lot of time and effort
to help us have and enjoy what we have now; this is
not a one-way road. It is 'pay-to-play'; no matter
how you look at it. There is no free lunch. Never was,
never will be. Fly fishing is not free. But we are
free to enjoy it. Let's all help to pass that same
freedom down to those who will eventually have all
the enjoyment and yes the responsibilities to do
the same.
~ James Castwell
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