I've had a few conversations with some fellow "fishermen" and we were wondering where the "wild fish is the only fish" mentality comes from. To all you folks that sit on your high horse (most of you
), what makes you a better "steelheader" than the dude that plops on a rock at the nearest hatchery hole enticing brats? Seriously. Here's my take:
1. Hatchery fish are "harder" to catch. No question.
2. I have caught
thousands of wild fish. While I love the size and agressiveness of these specimens, they are easy to catch. Plain and simple. when you've got a cabin that you grew up in 10 miles from the Hoh, wild fish are(were) fairly easy to come by
3. I'll take a wild fish over a hatchery fish any day as far as battle is concerned. However, I've yet to encounter a wild fish (same poundage mind you) that fought like a summer run hatchery fish of the same size..... What gives?
4. By targeting wild fish you, whether you live and breathe by CandR of wild fish, are resulting in the decline of native fish by CandR mortality. While the percentage is incredibly low, your "targeting" strategies have killed fish. Yep, they have. what makes you better than the "law abiding" plunker that kills his one fish a year down at Barlows? Seriously..... Rationalize that one.
Yeah, I'm stirring the pot. I like it. Haven't done it in some time and it's due!
Fellas give me grief all the time about the ponds, and I love it. I will catch fish no matter what the scenario. Low, high, wild, hatch, whatever. However, at the end of the day, I like to fight the fish, eat the fish, invite friends over to partake in the fish, and go to bed. Why are dudes like me (that specifically target hatchery fish) the lower end of the "status list" as it has evolved on BB's these days..
Until then, see you on the water. I'm BB'd out. Cuttstosteelies is officially "retired"........
