Real Fisherman.

(Originally Published on Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer, July 26, 2008)

© By Othmar Vohringer

I do visit fishing forums from time to time to read what other fisherman/women talk about and what their opinions are on a variety of topics. Or I check in to share experiences and tell tall tales. Recently though, each time I visit these places it gets my dander up. It seems that there can’t be any half decent conversation anymore that does not end up with anglers going at each other. The " rage on for pages about whose fishing method has more merit and is more noble. Fylfishers against bail reel fishers and it still gets worse in discussions about keeping fish or releasing them.

If you think that only fly fishers turn their noses up at others think again. The boat paddles the other way too. Lure and bait fishers have no hesitation to belittle fly casters as elitists. Anglers subscribing to the catch-and-release method have no hesitation to call those that keep fish for the dinner table "unethical" and a determent to the fishing sport.

Since this is my column I am going to tell you honestly what I think about the endless and pointless squabbling and finger pointing. It’s utterly counterproductive to the future of fishing sport because it drives young and novice anglers away.

Many young and novice fishers seek information and advice on Internet forums. Ask yourself, what must newcomers to fishing think if they read all that trashing ad nausea, page after page? Do these opinionated people really think that they can educate and promote fishing by slandering others that do not happen to share their views or type of fishing method?

Does it really matter what motivates a person to fish? Is it important what tackle and tactics a angler prefers to use? Is a person stalking a salmon with a fly rod nobler than the fisher fighting a big bass out of a lily pad? Of course none of it matters or makes one dime of a difference. Unless you think that God personally has approved of your fishing method and opinion you formed of it.

Here is how I see it. We’re all fishers. We're all equals. Not one single way of pursuing our activity is superior, nobler or better than another one. We’re all anglers enjoying our rich fishery and pursuing happiness. Not one of us deserves any more or less consideration or special attention than any other legal fisherman. Now I suggest that we all head out to our favorite lake or river and do some fishing, and if we see another fellow angler say hello and wish him/her good luck rather then judge the person on the tackle he/she uses and what method he/she prefers, because it really doesn't matter.

Tight lines…and don’t forget to have fun!

Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
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