Fishing lines come in many colors, diameters, and styles. It’s all designed to catch fish but not birds, critters, or other anglers. Leaving fishing line, leftover from tangles, sets a trap for others. Fishing lines degrade slowly and can take many decades to break down, even in the sunniest and harshest environments. This can be dangerous and even cause death.
It’s such an easy task to dispose of your fishing line. Put it into your pocket and recycle it later. Never leave it on the shores.
The other day I was catching trout from the Canyon Ferry shoreline, south of the Silos. Fishing was fast and furious. As I netted one fish, my other rod went off. I needed to get to it before the large trout dragged it into the deep. As I began to move toward the rod, my ankles would not move. Loops of discarded 20-pound test were wrapped around my ankles. The line was hiding in the grass and rocks, waiting for someone to catch.
I had my long-handled net in my hand, which prevented me from falling down. Since I am still recovering from surgery, falling is something I can’t do. Instead, I was able to pull out my pocketknife and cut the lines free. In the end, I was able to net the fish and recover. This could have ended with me stumbling, falling, getting injured, and losing my gear, because of a lazy angler leaving their trash along the bank.
My next job was to gather up the discarded line. In the process, I found hundreds of feet of old line. It included braid and monofilament. I placed it into a plastic bag and will take it to the recycling box at the sporting good store. Along with the discarded line I gathered up a bag full of beer cans, candy wrappers, and other trash left by thoughtless anglers.
When we fish, hunt, or head outdoors, we enjoy the beauty and wonderful clean open spaces. Why in the world would you want to change that by leaving a trail of trash.
Birds and small mammals also get tangled in discarded lines. There are so many other ways that these critters can die, why add one more?
I recently saw a fishing line recycling device that the Pennsylvania Fish Commission uses along its watersheds. This simple PVC container is attached to piers and posts along access areas. Simply shove your old line inside. It takes some management to empty, but one recycle station can hold miles of old line. Maybe this is something to consider for clubs, fishing groups, and the FWP here in Montana. I would be glad to help!
Pack it in, Pack it Out please!
Montan a Grant
