The wrong-headedness of light-tackle records
sunflower
Posts: 617 Officer
It is often said that there are 3 stages of a fisherman's life: trying to catch a fish,
trying to catch lots of fish,
trying to catch great fish.
(I would add ... trying to help others catch fish)
Fly fisherman in general probably tend to be in the latter group. In this ancient day and age, with increased pressure on even exotic fish in exotic locations, and with better rods and reels, it is almost-impossible for an angler to target an all-tackle record. You just can't really hope to be the lucky guy who finds and catches the biggest fish of all time.
Seeking new challenges, and that certainly isn't a dishonorable thing, great fisherman often turn to light-tackle records. Catching the biggest fish with the lightest leader. The problem is, this inevitably leads to long exhausting fights that probably kills the fish, multiple fish lost with broken tackle in their mouths, and usually gaffing and killing the fish to weigh and certify the record when you land it.
Proponents of these records will claim that catching these fish on light tackle shows great technical ability, and leads to innovations in knots, fighting-techniques, and flies that can improve fly-fishing in general.
I don't think so.
If that were true, once an angler developed the skill and techniques to catch one giant fish one light tackle, he or she could then do it again and again with consistency. It would be more-likely than not. In fact, landing these record fish is a miracle-event, and even these "great" anglers can only hope to repeat it rarely going forward. Mostly they will just lose, break-off, and harm fish in the future.
The records don't reflect skill. They reflect an extreme example of luck, usually for a fisherman who has the opportunity to catch and lose dozens (if not hundreds) of fish. A good fisherman with lots and lots of chances.
No one tries to go out and set an "light-rifle" record hunting ... I think.
No one tries to kill an elephant or elk with a .22, and then claim they are a really-good hunter. All that would result in is a lot of wounded and injured animals, and a lot of needless bleeding, death and suffering.
I get it.
Fish don't smile. They aren't warm and fuzzy. They don't cry out in pain, or really bleed that much. they don't wag their tails.
PS: I realize that ALL fishing causes harm. Maybe you could use these same arguments to condemn ALL sport-fishing.
IGFA should eliminate the light-tackle records.
It is an invitation to seek ego and glory.
It is an invitation that encourages the unnecessary harm, suffering, and death of animals.
These are all opinions. Feel free to disagree.
Mark
grace finds goodness in everything ...
grace finds goodness in everything ...
Replies
I know the IGFA has all of these line class, tippet, and length records to try and attract more people into chasing records but it usually results in only a few anglers actually chasing them. I don't mind the length records because the angler can use proper size tackle and the fish can be released alive.
Sunflower I like your comparison to hunting. I'll be using that in the future.
For every single fish killed for a line class record, there are hundreds killed for instagram posts. I haven't had a request at the shop for igfa compliant rigging in over a decade.
Good to hear that, ODC.
I guess it's like Clinton said about abortion: it should be legal, safe, and rare.
I guess the difference is Instagram isn't supported by IGFA, and doesn't award prizes, keep record books, and give out certificates.
I don't think.
Beyond the death, my point is that I think a light-line record reflect opportunity and luck more than great fishing skill.
grace finds goodness in everything ...
Never understood the EGO thing when it comes to wild life, now if we were hunting or catching humans that might change my method up a bit
Hope you all had a great St. Patrick day and a have a Happy Easter
I think you make a great point, Vinnie.
I guess the question is where you think the art and sport of (fly)fishing lays.
I think it is about casting the fly: a miracle of beauty and skill; and getting a fish to mistake a clump of feathers and fur for something to eat ... and into biting it.
Everything I enjoy about fly-fishing is in the cast and the take.
For me, reeling the fish to the boat is basically a non-event. Much fun, but a machine could do it.
I don't think landing a fish really requires great talent, and I think most "fights" are really just luck whether the fish comes loose or not.
I have caught dozens and dozens of tarpon and bonefish, and never "bowed", or did anything really impressive to land them. I just reeled them in. I don't honestly think "bowing" really serves any purpose, especially if the fish is more than a few yards from the boat.
I honestly laugh when I see anglers on TV shows (you know who you are) lunging forward into a huge "bow" every time the tarpon jumps.
In the Seychelles, they just point the rod straight at GT an tuna and crank them in. No bowing, no bending.
Andy Mills references some historical fly great (Tom Evans?) who never fought a tarpon longer than 20 minutes ... he just bulled them in. Made me feel ashamed of my hour-long fights.
There is a population of guides and anglers (in Key West) who think you are "cheating" if you don't use light IGFA-approved tippets. I just don't see it. I recognize the historical purpose of a tippet (so you don't leave broken tackle trailing yards behind a lost fish).
A light tackle record doesn't show skill.
It just means you barely pulled on the fish, and left the hook and line dangling from the fish's mouth until the poor desperate thing wore itself nearly down to death in fear, exhaustion, panic, and pain.
Slow clap.
Send me a record!
PUT ME IN THE BOOK!!
grace finds goodness in everything ...
I've always thought it ridiculous backing down on marlin, chasing tarpon with the boat to "land" a fish. Not any sport in that IMO.
Definitely don't agree with that, finbully.
If a tarpon takes 200 yards of line, I am definitely going to follow him in the boat. I would never sit dead-boat and try to drag him hundreds of yards back. This is even more true in the Keys, where they often catch tarpon in the passes during periods of heavy current.
I'm going to drive the boat straight to the tarpon, and get as close to him as possible, and keep as close to him as possible. In my experience, 90% of the "fight" takes place within 50 - 100 feet of the boat.
I can't possible get down and dirty, pull against his direction, flip over, or put the heat on a tarpon 100 yards away.
grace finds goodness in everything ...
“Everyone behaves badly--given the chance.”
― Ernest Hemingway
Sport fish with a fly rod for the three and fish to eat with conventional...on waist... once upon a time my late friend and professional colleague at his house on Fresh Creek Andros ...fishing for eat at the Autec Buoys...came in with three nice red snappers, a wahoo, a dorado..stopped for gas at the now closed Lighthouse Club Marina...old friend Timer on the dock gave him a snapper and Mike climbed out going to use their boards to clean/filet our fish...Timer said don't filet here go to your dock ...there were other eyes looking ...he said filleting is waist...bake the whole snapper and just leave the bones...from then on all snappers and groupers were baked whole Bahamian style...onions tomatoes garlic...some Jamaican jerk
I understand the idea behind "get the fish in and released" as quick as possible, but to be the guys on the boat with engines roaring, spray flying, sun shining, the fish running, the angler braced back in the chair with rod heavily bent.....migawd, but that has to be exciting. Sensory overload, for sure.