[piemma]

If you have not gotten your monthly issue of The Fisherman this will be a heads up.

For quite a few years I have been quietly aggravated at all all the pictures of dead bass, scattered throughout the publication. You guys know I am not some Peta monger who has never killed a fish but many of the pictures show a boat load of dead bass scattered all over a dock or a deck with no respect for the fish.

Toby has taken a stand and I applaud him. Respectful care of the fish and a picture that shows respect will still be published but no more pictures of full limits, fish hanging from a scale or thrown in a fish box that's 2 sizes to small.

It's time we all realize that our beloved stripers are indeed in trouble. The slaughter of the big fish at The Block that has taken place for the last 2 months may well be analogized as "the last buffalo hunt".

It is very reminiscent of the 80s right before the moratorium. I hope to hell this is not the case but there are pockets of big fish and vast areas of none at all.

At 67 years old, I'm on the back side of the cycle as I probably have 10 good years left of hard fishing. I am praying that we have good bass fishing for those 10 years to come.

Toby's move may not save what's left but it will not hurt.