I was shocked at what I was just told. And, I'm pretty sure that fellow was shocked at what I said.<br />Couple of days ago I caught some wall art (It wasn't my first 10lb bass (3rd)...but...it was the 1st 10lb bass I'd caught while fishing for bass). <br />I was fishing for other fish (crappie/walley) and pulled in a couple bass just as big before and even those were FAR FAR between. Just didn't feel right about sticking one of those on the wall so, I let em go.<br />(I may need you to come back to that later).<br /> Anyway. Out in search of a bass and I caught what I considered to be "art". He's headed at the taxidermist now.<br />Here's the problem.<br />Seems the politically correct thing to do is Catch and Release. AND, not from an environmental standpoint.<br />I was looking at websites trying to find a suitable taxidermist and kept seeing the reproductions. Picture and measurements and well fiberglass a fish right up for ya. I even called one of them and asked what I should do 1st about getting the fish to them.<br />This fellow almost came unglued! Listed as a taxidermist and was SHOCKED that I wanted him to do a real fish skin on something that was the size of my fish. He seemed bewildered that I didn't let it go.<br />This shocked me and caught me by suprise also. I had no answer for him at the time and APOLOGIZED and hung up.<br />I then began to question myself, followed by justifying myself. (not outloud though).<br />So, I thought I'd throw this can of worms out here and see how bad of a person I really am.<br /><br />I guess walmart needs to start selling stuffed fish. There's no need for there to be a real fish. "Wow Pop, Billy's Dad didn't catch that same fish that you didn't catch! And his was 1/2 price on the clearance rack."<br />Hunting? Lets get rid of the guns and only use cameras.<br />Tournaments are fine though. Keep a fish in a box all day, exhaust it, and let it go miles from anything it's ever known and pat yourself on the back. <br /><br />Govt agencies know more about what needs to be done to increase or decrease a population of most anything. They have the equipment, resources, history, etc.<br />I can't see underwater, but, I know when I was younger I drove way way way too fast every day over 50 miles of mountain curves just seeing how fast I could take those curves. If somebody hit a deer it was "how?!"... <br />Now you better drive slow and watch because seeing a herd in the road every few days is normal. This is due to hunting management. <br />Just like fishing and slot limits, length limits, seasons, etc.<br />A 14" length limit is not in place for ONE reason. It's there for two reasons. (let short ones go and keep the others). <br />A healthy population of bass is not a few hogs and it's not packed with dinks.<br />Sport fishing may be like sport hunting...with an option. <br />Is abuse of this option bad or good?<br />I don't think I'll ever change what I do on the water. If the fish is legal and I have no use for it "trophy or food", I'll let it go.<br />Just wondering How wrong I am for thinking like this?<br />(they did tell me "you can't tell the difference in a real fish and a replica"....Well, I'd know it and if it wasn't the fish I caught...it just wouldn't really mean much to me).<br /> I wouldn't sell my Dad's first and only Ranger bass boat either...but...I sure wouldn't buy one "like" it.
I told them to go do something to them self they left I explaned to the kid what it was all about that all worked out great that day and we did catch more smaller ones and we did let them go because we wanted to we took photos with the kids fish and then we cooked and ate the fish with some crappie that we also keep that day It was a great day and the kid still fishes today. Sometimes it is ok to be a hookem and cookum fisherman with out feeling like a criminal in my book anyways.
