Fly fishing…. it’s been the backbone of my family for many generations. But unlike many fishermen who were reared in the 1950’s, I was taught from an early age the concept of catch and release. Simply put, it is fishing for sport and not for the meat.

That is not to say there’s anything inherently wrong with the catch and kill approach to fishing. There is certainly room for that aspect of fishing as well with some limitations. I’m pretty sure the Native-Americans of the 1700’s and 1800’s weren’t fishing just for sport. However, as the decades have passed, we have learned that nothing is forever and that includes healthy fish populations as well. Fish hatcheries alone can not reclaim healthy fisheries. We all need to do a little of our own share as well. It is largely a question of balance. When I lived in Oregon for example, I…