Educational Awareness - Just the facts!
Almost every day on social sites, I find someone has posted a topic of controversy. From proper handling techniques, to best practices for successful muskie outings. It doesn’t take long in the way of searching to find a topic that has several “sharks” jumping in to tear down or bash someone. This has to stop! I would love to be able to say that I haven’t done my share of wrongdoings but it would be far from truthful. Yes, I have been on the bandwagon of “haters” preaching to people without taking the time to educate the “why’s”. No longer will you find me doing this.
It is time for us muskie hunters to turn a new leaf. Things are different these days. A prime example is catch & release. Since the late 1970’s we as a group have gone from catch & kill to catch & release. A wonderful thing that has greatly helped the muskie fishery as a whole. How did this happen? EDUCATION!!! Our muskie forefathers banded together in a group to educate others on the benefits of catch & release and look at what it has become! It is almost second nature for a muskie hunter to immediately release their prized quarry. None of this was accomplished with hateful bashing of others.
Some examples of other areas that we need to promote educational awareness are topics like; hot water temps, proper holds/handling techniques, and a myriad of other things that would make this blog a book if all topics were to be listed.
There is plenty of credible information out there for you to use to help educate others. The top resource is Muskies, Inc.. Other places are your DNR fish biologists. These men and women spend their lives dedicated to fish, and I’m sure would be willing to assist in, at minimum, of pointing you in the right direction of where to search for credible information to help spread to others.
There is a lot going on in the muskie world. Did you know there is a gofundme campaign set up in Minnesota to help the anti-muskie people try and stop the MN DNR from stocking muskies in certain lakes? I urge you to do a google search on this topic and to help spread awareness to the muskie community to stand up and put a stop to this nonsense. Just remember, bashing and hateful remarks will get us nowhere. Do your due diligence and provide factual and credible research on the benefits of muskellunge. We need to educate now more than ever. Even if you don’t get involved, the research you do can help in other ways. You may find new tactics or tips that will help you on your next outing. If you live in Minnesota and want to help, contact the Minnesota Muskie & Pike Alliance. Click this link to head to their website.
In closing, I hope that you are able to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather and can catch some nice fish. Until I get out again, I’ll be daydreaming of 50 inchers.
Keep that lure in the water!
-Muskie Kid
