My son had an odd visual experience on Oregon’s East Lake this week. Maybe it was the altitude? ODFW was there doing some on the water survey of sorts using nets and boats. As my son watched their process he observed them sorting trout and as each one was handled it was then tossed, thrown and slung out from the boat some 20+ feet onto the waters surface. Given I had spent the effort in his formative years to instill a respect in handling the fish, particularly Trout, with care and ease, he was a bit aghast (as were other nearby fishers) in seeing this handling of the fish.
Now I know most of them come into the lakes via trucks and big hoses that shoot them into the water in a harsh manner, but is this normal? Is this a reflection of the ‘put n take’ handling of a commodity with no respect? The reality, I suspect, of those that handle the species day in and out and see them as nothing more than pellet eating pieces of meat that grew in a hatchery pond. We (me) attach spiritual worth to fish and surround them with the whole natural process into one tidy shrine of homage. To others, because I believe our production mentality, they are simply a food/recreation commodity handled by men doing a job on a schedule and trying to satisfy the masses.
No true angler can see a fish as merely a commodity and the view that the natural world is a supermarket shelf stocked with things for our taking and abuse is one which left unchecked will ulitimately be responsible for our own demise. To suggest that one can handle fish in this way because they can survive it is like saying that you can beat your children with a baseball bat because it probably won’t kill them. So it wasn’t the altitude so much as the attitude that would seem to be the problem from ODFW.
LikeLike
The handling of fish, wildlife or humans are sacred to the land we reside and were gifted with. It is so sad to read about such disregard but it happens time and time again with so many things. Shame.
LikeLike
Wow, love your post, but it saddens me to read it. We also take great care in handling all fish, but especially trout. That’s just a shame, maybe if you send them your post they might reconsider how they treat wildlife. Whether it comes from a hatchery or not, whether it is there as enjoyment or part of the food chain, you should respect the beauty they provide. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike