07-19-2003, 01:46 AM
[cool]I don't think you offended anyone, Joe. Us old farts have thick skin. I did not think Leaky would say much on his own behalf, so I thought I would explain it a little.
What I failed to do is congratulate YOU on a great attitude. You are a fine young sportsman. In areas like you live in, there is far too much harvest and too little releasing. The same people who keep all the fish are the ones who complain when the hatchery trucks don't dump enough fish for them. We can only feel sorry for them. They are missing out on the real enjoyment of fishing.
I have made no secret of the fact that I keep a lot of fish. But, I usually go after species that are in great numbers and are not overly abused by the masses. I would rather eat yellow bass, sunfish and catfish than largemouth or trout anyway...especially those white fleshed trout freshly dumped from the hatchery. Those are truly "garbage fish", but they are great for helping kids catch something and learning to enjoy fishing.
Also, none of the fish I bring home are wasted. I fillet them and chill them quickly and what I cannot consume goes to a son and his family...all of who like fish. Because of a health problem, my oldest son is mostly unable to go fishing like he once did.
Again, thanks for your contribution, Joe. Don't worry about anyone being mad at you. I know Leaky is not. And, I am still planning to send over those jig heads next week, so I ain't mad at ya either.
Keep on keepin' on.
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What I failed to do is congratulate YOU on a great attitude. You are a fine young sportsman. In areas like you live in, there is far too much harvest and too little releasing. The same people who keep all the fish are the ones who complain when the hatchery trucks don't dump enough fish for them. We can only feel sorry for them. They are missing out on the real enjoyment of fishing.
I have made no secret of the fact that I keep a lot of fish. But, I usually go after species that are in great numbers and are not overly abused by the masses. I would rather eat yellow bass, sunfish and catfish than largemouth or trout anyway...especially those white fleshed trout freshly dumped from the hatchery. Those are truly "garbage fish", but they are great for helping kids catch something and learning to enjoy fishing.
Also, none of the fish I bring home are wasted. I fillet them and chill them quickly and what I cannot consume goes to a son and his family...all of who like fish. Because of a health problem, my oldest son is mostly unable to go fishing like he once did.
Again, thanks for your contribution, Joe. Don't worry about anyone being mad at you. I know Leaky is not. And, I am still planning to send over those jig heads next week, so I ain't mad at ya either.
Keep on keepin' on.
[signature]