My thoughts on the Canal (Not that anyone gives a &^%$)

[JFigliuolo]

All the goings on at the canal both fills me with jealousy and saddness.

We have witnessed what has been described as some of the most epic fishing in recent memory. I think anyone who wasn't there and loves fishing as much as most of us we do would be lying to themselves and others if they say they were not jealous, at least partially. I know that I am.

Could I have gone to the canal? sure, I mean anyone and everyone was catching. I've only fished there once so it is fair to say I know nothing about the area. But if the fishing was as good and as easy as being described I would have had little problem taking part in the epic catching that was going on. It was the fishing of dreams, and with almost complete certainty something I will never experience in my lifetime.

I wasn't fishing during the hey day of striped bass. All I know of those times, the blitzes of large, the epic tides, the 1000 lb nights are the stories of those on this site, and those I have had the pleasure of fishing with, Steve McKenna, Joe Brotz, Mike McElroy and others who I shared a tide with and whose names I have long forgotten.

Truth be told, (as long as i am being completely honest) I don't even consider myself a very good fisherman. I'm not very good at finding fish or keeping logs. For years I fished the shore and had what I would call moderate success, the past 5 years I've had a boat, which really has only extened my range of mediocraty. So I can honestly say I have CHOSEN to not partake in what would have been the highlight of my fishing career. I am not entirely sure why...

I have for many years (longer than most on this site) believed that the Striped Bass were in decline. I saw in in my dwindling success as well as the reports of others. Stories of many areas that were once reliable, reduced to areas not even worth getting up for. Vast areas of water barren of bass while bait is abundent. As I think about what has happened at the canal, the carnage is mind numbing. Not just in the fish purposefully killed, but also in the treatment of fish returned to the water. I believe mostly due to peoples ignorance and too little respect for the fishery. Both due to a lack of knowledge and a lack of caring. So while I am jealous of what i missed, I am saddened by what happened to the fishery I so love. The fishery that has given me so much pleasure when life gave me otherwise.

So while all was going on in the canal I chose to fish a spot a freind had given me a tip on. I caught one bass, my first "keeper" of the season just before dawn as the sky began to lighten to end my night. It was small and I'm sure pathetic to canal standards. But to me, It was one of the highlights of my year.

One last thing... Before anyone tells me to join PETA, I fully admit to killing bass... for myself, for family and for freinds. I am proud to say I have never killed one for glory... But I've yet to have to make that choice.