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CONSERVATORS OF CLEAN WATER & WILD RIVERS
Anglers in New Zealand, and especially in Southland do not have to put up with some of the harassment that others overseas have had to endure increasingly over the past few years.
For many years waters close to large cities in Europe and many parts of North America have had such poor water quality that there is virtually no fishing available. Some "coarse fishing" is available for species of fish such as perch, tench or rudd, and occasionally a pike. Trout fishing is confined to streams far away or perhaps in reservoirs where trout are stocked annually. Many of these fish are quite large but are not considered to be as good as wild fish. Fishing for wild trout in an unpolluted and uncrowded stream is more than a dream away.
Many anglers are confined to the banks of canals or partially polluted streams where small baits, including maggots and bread, lure small fish that are not fit to eat. The only satisfaction comes at the end of the day when they are weighed collectively alongside others providing for some satisfaction that can be bragged about over a pint in a local tavern.
In the past few years even this pastime has been disturbed by members of anti-fishing organizations who row about in canoes or throw stones into the water to protect the small fish that might otherwise impale themselves on an angler's hook and suffer pain and suffering. Anglers or course have no understanding of this point of view. It is one that arrives from a philosophy quite remote. One that has never ventured into the pubs and bars where anglers have met and discussed the one that got away for centuries.
Unfortunately anglers in England cannot ignore the view that fish should not be treated with such arrogance and violence. Conversely anti blood sport advocates forget that anglers have provided habitats and improved water quality that has provided homes for the fish they pursue and that the majority of fish never feel the barb of a hook. Where were the activists when factories polluted rivers by the city they ask, quite legitimately.
Now the specter of lead poisoning of waterfowl from lead weights used by anglers is raised as more ammunition against anglers. With guns blazing those normally accustomed to peaceful sojourns along tree lined glades accuse anglers of poisoning the environment. There is an element of truth in their claims but as usual the part which is not true usually receives greater attention.
Most forms of fresh water angling used in New Zealand don't require lead, although some do. Anglers have a responsibility to prevent the loss of it into the environment, if only to preserve their track record of being the greatest conservators of clean water and wild rivers in the country.
Maurice Rodway
Southland, New Zealand E-mail: fishgame@southnet.co.nz Article ©1998 Maurice Rodway, All Rights Reserved. |
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