Southern Tier Fishing Philosophy |
What makes a sportsman?
Sportsmen love the earth....
Its wild fish and game are a marvel to behold, providing not just food, but a chance to see God’s work first hand. The outdoors is where we feel closest to Creation. If we kill for food, we do so with respect and thanks in our heart. We never take more than we will eat.
We love the changing weather – rainy, cloudy, sunny, foggy – we take it all in stride. God’s moods revealed, perhaps? All part of the game, anyway. We know how to fish and hunt safely, in all weather. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and other sportsmen to do so. We know great spots to hunt and fish – and others know them too. We gladly share a spot with someone provided they share back, and respect the resource. We know others who walk ‘our’ woods and streams may know less and care less than we do. We welcome them anyway, and try to share our knowledge and love of the sport with them, hoping their understanding and respect for it will grow, and carry on after we are gone. We fish flies because we like tying them, bait because it works, lures because some uncle or father taught us to. We own one beat up old pole, or a dozen – it doesn’t matter. We’re more the same than different. We like to tell stories of the hunt and chase, and of the skill, hardship, and courage involved, as our ancestors have done for countless generations. But we don’t kill and keep fish or game just to prove our skill. We would rather have a head full of memories than a freezer full of fish or game– the memories last longer. We learned our craft by trying, and failing, and trying again. We know patience, and we know there are no guarantees. We don’t take the easy way, because we take pride in our craft – be it building a gun or rod, tying flies, curing skein, or scouting, stalking, reading the water, or casting. We may be busy with other things, but we make time for these – they are part of who and what we are. We know the rules are made by well-intentioned men and women, for the protection of the fish, game, and outdoor sports we enjoy. We take time to read, understand, and abide by the regulations. We encourage others to do the same. We pay our license fees gladly each year, amazed at what is provided for such a small amount of money. We believe that fish and game reared in a hatchery are still God’s creation – marvelous, beautiful creatures we are privileged to meet in field and stream. Not toys to play with, then discard, but living beings deserving our respect. We are saddened by the amount of trash left in the woods and on the stream by others. We pick it up because we believe it is better to light one candle than curse the darkness, and one person can make a difference. We believe in setting examples. We are sportsmen. Are you one of us?Back to Southern Tier Fishing | Send comments to: jlively@stny.rr.com
Copyright 1997-2005 by John S. Lively. Unauthorized duplication or publication is prohibited.