A good up-bringing?

[Nantahala Fly Fishing]

Face it. The best part of fishing is feeling the tug on your line, fighting the good fight with one of God's wild creatures, and bringing it in. Then what? Eat them all? Once you have the fish in hand you've already done the most fun... so put it back!

I was raised in a family of farmers, hunters and fishermen. They never put anything back. Take, take, take. But I've been paying attention over the last 30 years. I've watched fish and wildlife populations drop everywhere, seriously dampening the enjoyment that I go out there for. By all means... go fishing. Get out there and have a ball. But wake up, mature a little.. put the fish back to catch again another day, so they can make baby fish to continue the family tradition of being caught by wily fishermen.