It Ain't Easy

Some musings from Steve Schmidt post last year's IFTD in Reno.

Over three decades have passed since I got serious about fly-fishing. When I started there were no strike indicators, Al Gore had yet to invent the internet and in general there were fewer bodies on the water.  Much has changed since then and some of it I find rather concerning, especially the short cuts we condone in an effort to make fishing with flies easier and more effective without regard for the affect some of these practices are having on the fly-fishing and the waters we fish.

LINK (via: Schmidt's Walkabouts)

Comments

[snuffer]

Right on, something I've been thinking for several years but could never have expressed so well.

[Idaho steel]

Nice!

[Zach]

A well written piece with some good points. But anyone who knows the relationship between recreation participation and conservation would say that the only way to continue this sport we love is to introduce new people to fly fishing. Fifteen years ago participation in fly fishing was limited to a rapidly diminishing group of gray haired white men. The introduction of "Modern" Streamer and nymphing techniques helped revitalized the sport and brought an entirely new demographic into the game. Young people, Women, and people who don't have stock market portfolios. And who are the people making a difference in conservation and preservation efforts now? Those people I just mentioned. The young people who have only ever know catch and release. Who never lived in a time where our natural resources where something that we could exploit. So what if they catch more fish using an indicator. I will take that trade off any day. As a young person in the industry, I will gladly take a few more "Bodies" on the water in exchange for the renewed enthusiasm for the sport that channels energy into conservation efforts. That enthusiasm may be the only reason we might be able to continue flyfishing for the rest of my lifetime. So before you start to look down on increased participation and more effective fishing techniques, realize that these people are the ones who are going to make a difference and give this community a louder voice when the industry needs to stand up for this lifestyle we love.

[fish whistle]

Right on!.. Well said zach