Get involved: taking the lead on litter
For many anglers, myself included, getting out fishing is never simply about catching the fish. Landing your target species is certainly a bonus, but for the vast majority, the true healing power is in the reconnection to nature.
Peeling back the layers of work-life balance (that’s permanently teetering towards work and away from life) and breathing in the cool, crisp air as the sun peaks over the horizon. Nothing restores my soul more than the deep feeling of gratitude that comes with being on the water.
Think of your favourite waterway. Why is it special to you? Did you land your PB there? Is it where you take your kids fishing? Or is it where you learnt to fish? Close your eyes and hold onto the feeling that settles in your chest. Is it happiness? Is it pride?
Now I want you to imagine that you’ve pulled up to the honey hole with rods rigged and you’re ready to go. Something in your periphery catches your eye. It’s rubbish, and it’s defacing the place you hold near and dear. Now how do you feel? Are you peeved? Are you sad?
With sinking disappointment settling in your stomach, you might wonder how that rubbish made it there, or even who was responsible for it in the first place. Do you scowl as it drifts by or do you reach out and nab it, stowing it safely for disposal upon your return? I certainly do, I’ll try anything to sway the fishing gods.
But it’s not about luck, it’s about self-stewardship. Anglers often cop a bad rap as being polluters, allegedly leaving bait packets and tangled line behind long after the action has ended. But the truth of the matter is majority of the rubbish doesn’t come from fishers- it’s plastic bottles, bags and household waste. The origin becomes a moot point though, when its final destination is always our waterways and oceans.
Are you ready for the hard truth? We as anglers need to shelve the blame game and roll up our sleeves. The “it’s not mine, so why should I pick it up” card isn’t removing a single scrap of rubbish from our waterways and it’s certainly not creating a future where fishing flourishes.
I get it, weekends are the only time you have free from the hamster wheel of modern life and picking up rubbish ain’t that sexy. But neither is losing your lure to stray line, catching a chip packet or worse still, having to rescue wildlife from a trap we as humans set for them.
And here’s the kicker: anyone can start chipping away at this problem. Set yourself a challenge to pick up ten pieces of rubbish next time you go for a land-based fish. Stop the boat mid-run, crank a U-turn and grab that floating trash. Better yet, get involved with one of our local waterway cleanups- the hard work is done for you. We bring the bags and dispose of the rubbish; all you need to do is practice your bend and snap with a slam dunk into the bag to finish.
Something you can get around? Good, we need your help. Find a clean up near you and register now.
