by Uncle Wes, May 15, 2005

I’ve seen many an opening day come and go and it seems each year has its moments. But over the past seven or eight years there seems to be some question as to what exactly a limit of trout is. Some folks think it is as many as you can catch. Others run on the bucket theory: how many buckets of fish can you catch and stick in the trunk of your car. A lot of these same people are shocked to hear that you need a fishing license or even that some lakes close on October 31st and re-open again on the third weekend in April. Last year I even saw a 16-foot boat with a registration sticker painted on the boat. Mind you, it didn’t have serial numbers on it, but at least it was the right color. I would have gotten the license number off of the boat trailer but it didn’t have a license plate nor did the truck pulling it.



I’ve been witness to some pretty questionable behavior. I learned that you can get eight people with life jackets in a 12-foot aluminum boat and 10 without. Thank heavens they didn’t try to squeeze in a lunch or they would have swamped the boat. I have come to a conclusion that a fishing license should be just like a drivers license. You’d have to take a test and pass it to get your fishing license. Of course, kids under the age of 13 wouldn’t need a license because they are usually the ones with the most common sense and are quite content to catch one fish.



I think there should be three classifications of fishing licenses: one for bank anglers, one for boat anglers, and one for the combination of bank/boating. For bank anglers the test would cover the basics-like limits only five trout per bucket per person per day. Questions might include: What do you do with your garbage (a) take it out with you or (b) leave it there because someone else will pick it up? If you answered (b) then you would need to take a test. Another question might be: Is the gunnysack roundup a legal method? Let me explain the gunnysack roundup. This is where you chase chum salmon up the creek, snag them, pull them to shore, club them with a rock, then stuff seven or eight in your gunnysack. Would your answer be (a) No, it is not legal or (b) yes it is legal? If you answered (b) then you would need to take the test.



Another question might be is snagging OK if I only snag my limit, (a) yes or (b) no. If you answered (a) then you would need to take the test. Boating is a whole different story. I especially like boat ramp antics. Try some of these questions: When getting ready to launch my boat should I (a) pull up to the launch and then get my boat ready or (b) have my boat ready to launch when I pull up to the ramp? If you answered (a) then you would need to take the test. Here’s another question: When pulling out of the water should you (a) get your boat on the trailer, then unload your gear and tie it down on the ramp or (b) pull it out of the way, then unload your gear and tie it down? If you answered (a) then you would need to take the test. Here’s a final question: When going by a boat dock with an “idle” sign posted should you (a) cut your speed from full throttle to half or (b) cut your speed to idle? If you answered (a) then you would need to take the test.



I think you all get my point. There are way too many people who are not qualified to be operating a boat, let alone be fishing. I could go on and on but I’m only allowed so many words per article. I think the bottom line is: show courtesy to your fellow anglers, know the regulations, and use some common sense. So until next time may the fish at the end of your line be the one of your dreams.

I don't go fishing for the scenery, its just a side benefit.