Anglers need to stick together. We all enjoy our time on the water and fellowship together. It is true that not all kinds of fishing styles are for all kinds of anglers. Oh well. We still share the same waters and resources.
By fishing together, we can protect and preserve our wonderful aquatic resources, and sport.
Fishing is for everyone. Ice fishing is one good example. Ice allows access to everyone. You don’t need a boat, permission, and can hit the hard water almost everywhere, if it’s safe. Sure, some anglers do not want to be cold and miserable but with the right mentor, gear, and advice, ice fishing can be a great party. Icemen are the BEST ANGLERS on the waters.
Not all Facebook online contributors are positive contributors. Others make nasty comments, false or sarcastic responses, or just ruin positive and friendly interactions. Usually the “young” sports don’t understand what older veteran sports need. Safe ice is important to handicapped, or older anglers. When they ask about how thick the ice is it’s because they don’t want to die.
Honest fishing reports encourage others to go fishing. What’s wrong with that? “The Trout and perch are biting near Hole in the Wall at Canyon Ferry.” That’s a HUGE area and I have never felt crowded when fishing there. Is company a bad thing? Are you afraid of making friends and learning new things?
The Best Anglers are the ones that can teach others how to catch a fish. They are not the ones that are rude or not the best sports. Fish are a renewable resource. An army of great anglers will not catch all of the perch in the lake.
Technology has taken secret out of secret fishing spots. You can find a honey hole, mark it on a GPS, and come back the next day only to get skunked. Sharing information invites others to enjoy and share the sport. When we vote, we vote to keep our fishing opportunities in place and healthy.
It is called Fishing. We are on this Earth for only so long. Our age, health, and experience will expire. If your legacy is that you helped other anglers catch some fish, well that’s special. If you are the Stealthy, secretive, snarky, and selfish angler that never shares anything, then—
Fishing is not a race or competition. Montanans work hard and just want to relax and enjoy the outdoors. If they get some information or correct reports to give them confidence, what’s wrong with that?
I promise that if you join my Facebook Group at “Montana Fish for Fun”, you will only need to wade through friendly comments, accurate information, fun ideas, great recipes, and great places to fish and celebrate the outdoors.
As a lifelong Educator, Scoutmaster, Naturalist, and Sportsman, I will make sure that you feel welcome and informed, without getting snarky comments and dumb responses.
I have also found that the Montana Outdoor Radio Show website is an excellent place to get and share information. The fishing reports and other interesting educational posts are great to read. “The Captain” makes sure that the MORS site is fun, familiar, and informative. His Radio show is also a celebration of the outdoors in Big Sky Country.
Other good websites are “Montana Fishing Addicts 2.0”, “Montana Hunting and Fishing, 406 Ice Fishing, Ice Fishing Across Montana, Ice Fishing Montana, and Montana Ice Fishing”.
When you receive respectful and correct information, make sure to say thank you.
Montana Grant
