Fishing Hurts

[flyman]

I saw this ad here on the forums, an anti-fishing campaign from PETA. Was wondering when we would start hearing their opinion on fishing. Some of these people are nuts! When you really break things down, like they do, everything human beings do will eventually, even if indirectly, disturb the natural habitat. It's sad but true. Are we supposed to give up furniture? Wood takes homes away from wildlife. Or maybe wear synthetics? Well most of those are made from plastics and oil byproducts. Oil drilling takes away habitat. It's ridiculous! If you really break it down, they are a bunch of hypocrites! What about all the good things fishermen do? The conservation of waterways and wildlife, etc.

I consider myself a conservationist. The environment is very important to me. But I think PETA sometimes goes too far. This just makes me angry.

http://www.fishinghurts.com/feat-dogfish.asp

If you see this ad on here, click it! It brings Lilly some money for the click, plus it costs them money when people click on it. Let's make it expensive for them, hahaha. (Actually, I can't remember the Google Adsense agreement so maybe we shouldn't purposefully click it, wouldn't want Lilly in trouble)

[JobyKSU]

Ok, time to open up the flood gates here.

First, a disclaimer: I think PETA is a morally reprehensible organization that spews hate, lies, and hypocrisy. Never in a million years would I do anything to support them.

Second, the link that flyman provided is just twisted and typical of this sick group.

That being said, this website isn't completely off base. Specifically, they point out the danger from mercury and other contaminants when you eat fish you've caught. Of course, they don't mention that the risk is minimal when you eat young fish and fresh stockers. It's those big ol' monsters that have been swimming around for a number of years that have the most contamination. Yet another reason to take pictures and release your trophies!

Additionally, some of the commercial fishing methods are both cruel and non-sustainable, as the website points out.

Another aspect that I can agree with comes in the discussion on how some anglers treat fish that they plan on releasing. PETA doesn't recognize the fact that there are many, many of us that do our best to minimize the impact of our fishing activities and handle the fish carefully and gently.

I am amused/sickened at the way this atheistic organization invokes the name of God to try to dissuade people from eating fish in the FAQ. The group that picked hundreds (thousands?) of dogs and cats up from shelters, killed them, and dumped the carcasses in dumpsters, then tries to compare fishing to torturing cats and dogs. Niiiice.

One final quotation that shows that PETA really doesn't get it:

"Recreational anglers rarely stop to contemplate that fish are complex and intelligent individuals."

Anyone that has spent over 30 minutes (or more) stalking and sight casting to a rising shadow, slowly working your way into the perfect position, only to have that shadow bump your fly and move off (probably snickering at you) has spent plenty of time contemplating that fish's complexity and intelligence.

Parting shot - Another of PETA's quotations:

"Imagine using worms and flies to catch ... eagles and ospreys and hauling them around on 50 feet of line while they tried to get away. "

-- This happened to me a couple of times while fishing for Dorado in Mexico. Not the type of sport I was looking for!

[flyman]

I completely agree with those words JobyKSU.

"Imagine using worms and flies to catch ... eagles and ospreys and hauling them around on 50 feet of line while they tried to get away. "

-- This happened to me a couple of times while fishing for Dorado in Mexico. Not the type of sport I was looking for!

Haha! So what kind of bird did you catch? I know someone who caught a bat at Taney a couple of weeks ago. So far I have not seen him fishing for bats since then. I don't think he liked it either.

[Muleball39]

And I thought PETA stood for People Eating Tasty Animals!

[Crippled Caddis]

A great opportunity to ask others to join my on-going campaign to always refer to the idiot-fringe 'animals-are-better-than-people' group ONLY as 'PETAphiles' in order to lend them the credit they so richly deserve.

I consider myself an 'arch-conservationist'. I was raised and trained in outdoor ethics by a father born in 1900 who was a consummate human predator but was also the best amd most understanding practical conservationist I've ever known and would have fitted in well with Boone and Crocket had he been born in an earlier era. In virtually all areas of life and philosophy it is the polar extremes in any debate or difference of opinion who are the widest of the mark. In this case the PETAphiles are fully as guilty of being wrong as the 'slob' hunter who kills everything within range without utilizing it or considering the consequences of his actions.

Balance in all things is the secret of a well-lived life and the PETAphiles are unbalanced in all nuances of the word. CC

[flyman]

'PETAphiles' I like it.

[JobyKSU]

Haha! So what kind of bird did you catch? I know someone who caught a bat at Taney a couple of weeks ago. So far I have not seen him fishing for bats since then. I don't think he liked it either.

I actually landed a couple pelicans. We were trolling sardines from a panga, and the pelicans would swoop down and grab it. I ended up lipping three and tangling four more over two days. Those things were tough, especially once they're airborne. Talk about putting a bend into those big saltwater rods!

I'll have to look and see if I can find the pictures, there is one where I'm leaning back, have the fighting butt digging into me, and you can see the line going up at about a 30 degree angle.

And, before you ask, yes all birds were released unharmed.

[One Particular Harbor]

Not directly on topic but...

I just read Michael Chreighton's STATE OF FEAR. Awesome book!

He focuses on environmental groups who spout all of the global warming garbage and their motivations, but it applies equally to all of the liberal groups that want to promote their cause at everyone elses expense. If you have the time give it a look. All of the science in the book is referenced back to its source, page and paragraph of the publication that it came from.

[flyman]

I'll have to look and see if I can find the pictures, there is one where I'm leaning back, have the fighting butt digging into me, and you can see the line going up at about a 30 degree angle.

I would love to see the pelican pictures. That's hilarious. How did you guys release them without getting pecked in the eye. You should email those to the 'PETAphiles'.

I just read Michael Chreighton's STATE OF FEAR. Awesome book

I read that book as well. After reading the book I felt the same way, it got me thinking about global warming in a different way. Maybe there are some that have ulterior motives. And I think it is important to have some debate on the subject of global warming. With that said, however, I still think there probably is truth to the threat of global warming. I think there is enough evidence to support the theory. Also, I think it's definitely the responsible thing to do to try and keep this planet clean from pollution etc, even if it turns out science is wrong.

On the other hand, there are some people, like anything else, that jump on the bandwagon. They support something they don't really understand. They drive hybrid cars and replace a few light bulbs and think they are better then everyone else. Probably some of the same people as the PETA organization.

[davekeim]

Ah.............Global warming! I heard a theory once about global warming and probably applies to a lot of other things that get people to react. His theory was the global warmers are atheist. They don't believe in God but human nature needs to believe in something. So they create something to believe in and others follow. Just a thought!

Signed,

Cardiac

Boy I usually don't get philishophical. Better go get a beer!