Wet lines

I have been reading lately about the ongoing battle over the Smith River in Montana.  Landowners are becoming very resistant to allowing access to the river.  The fight between landowners and sportsman is heating up and sadly the sportsman are ending up with egg on their face.

Of course it isn’t the majority of sportsmen, but a select few who are causing the potential loss of a great natural resource.  That seems to be the way of it these days.  Their is a lack of consideration in society nowadays.  People are less likely to ask permission or forge lasting relationships with landowners, and more likely to feel a sense of entitlement.  “Fishing is our right!” I have heard over and over again. “Who are they to tell us we can’t fish?”

Sadly, fishing opportunities are becoming more restricted due to the inconsiderate actions of certain sportsmen.  There once was a time in my distant past where we were taught to respect the people who owned the lands we wanted access to. My dad took us to many a landowners home to meet and get to know the people.  To show them we were good people who respected their property.  We would make a point to offer some game and fish to the landowners who gave us access. Through forging these bonds with landowners we were never turned away.  We stopped to visit when we didn’t have to, just to maintain that relationship.

Now I hear stories of people cutting fences to gain access.  Littering on property, wasting game, and leaving landowners with a bad taste about sportsmen.  I can see why they want to keep us out.

But we are not all bad eggs and I propose we revive those landowner relationships.  Lets mend the cut fences, and offer ourselves as proof there are still good sportsmen to be found.  Pick up trash and litter even if its not your.  Volunteer to clean up sites that others have defiled. Report suspected wrong doers, and fight for our legacy.

I can’t imagine a time when you couldn’t find fishing or hunting access, but at the same time I see it in the near future.  Join me fellow sportsmen, fight the good fight.

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