[Lard Almighty]

Take a look at this:







I'm sure there are some on this board whose stomachs turn at these photos. Fifty years ago, EVERYONE was doing this. They kept whatever they caught and didn't even consider the future of the fishery. Guys like Lee Wulff who preached catch and release were the exception, not the rule.

Now, thanks to organizations like BASS and TU that have raised awareness of the importance of catch and release to the health of fisheries, scenes like the above don't happen nearly as often. Yes there are a few meat fishermen who keep everything, but overwhelmingly the conscientious angler who releases his catch, or only keeps what he can use, has become the national standard.

And regulations reflect that. Recently the daily possession limit for trout in PA went from 8 to 5. The size limit for trout in NJ recently went from 7 to 9 inches. As a point of reference, the first BASS tournament ever held had a 15-fish daily limit per angler, and all the fish were brought dead to the weigh-in on a stringer. Now the limit is at 5 fish, and anglers are penalized if they bring a dead fish to the weigh-in.

My point is that yes, there are some anglers that will keep the giant trout, and smallies, and pike, etc. And, as long as they follow all size and possession limits, it is their legal right to do so. But they are far outnumbered by people like us who put conservation and recreation before getting a meal. And we will be the ones who will ensure the future of the sport for the next generation.