Bass Fishing Going Green - Get The Lead Out
I am like so many other fishing folks that have used Lead weights ever
since I started fishing and never gave it another thought.
STOP, I have decided to go GREEN and I do not mean with envy, but with my
concern about the environment and what we are doing.
I can not believe how much has been
written on the hazards of fishing folks using lead and what it does to our wildlife, but we keep on using the small lead weights, jigs and other small tackle items made of
lead.
Some states and some countries like Canada have
already got on board and have outlawed or restricted the use of
lead in their Lakes to protect the health of children and the wildlife.
Take a real hard look around you and discover all the lead products that
are out on the market and the danger that lerks within. I was stunned
when I saw there was lead in Jewelry, and Kids' Toys, and there has to be
something about getting the lead out when it is taken out of paint and
the gasoline that we use in our cars and boats.
Stop and think how many times when fishing you
break your line or a fish breaks the line off. What happens
to the lead weight or jig?
Well, some is eaten by bottom feeders
like catfish and some is the dinner for water fowl. Either species may end up as a meal for another animal in our delicate food chain or end up on your dinner table
If this is the case why not serve up a plate of lead
as a side item. There is not much difference than eating a fish or
bird that is full of lead.
Does The
Lead Danger Stop With The Fish and Water Fowl Poisoning Taking
Place? Is Our Food Chain Impacted?
Eagles are also dying after eating fish who have swallowed small
lead sinkers and jigs. Poisoning has been reported in painted and snapping turtles as well as some
raccoons.
You always hear the old saying "You can not teach old dog new tricks",
my answer to this is "Yes, you can" and it can start with you ordering
environmentally friendly tackle shown below from Bass Pro Shops
Then tell all your fishing buddies
and other anglers that you engage in conversation with to start Bass Fishing Green too.
They can begin the conversion to becoming environmentally friendly
anglers by participating in the "Get The Lead Out" program of replacing the existing lead weights and jigs in
their tackle boxes with non-toxic metal types of tackle.
The quicker anglers adapt to and favor fishing tackle made of non-toxic
types of metals, the quicker manufacturers will abandon using lead as a material.
As much as I love being in the outdoors and enjoy all the wildlife, I can
not even fathom the thought of no more birds, squirrels, deer, or other
forest animals not to mention; not a fish one left to catch. You
might as well just be out for a boat ride.
As you can see from what you can order above, there is other material that we can
use to replace lead such as Tungsten, Tin, Steel, Bismuth, brass, plastics and biodegradable materials.
Yeah I know, so it cost more than lead...but it is a small price to
pay for the future of our wildlife, our environment and most
of all our kids.
I want to leave a world a lot better
than when I got here and an environment that my kids can enjoy as much as
I did growing up.
A company in Australia offers different
size weights that are made of highly-pressurized iron oxide that will
disolve after a short time in the water.
So you can see some folks are trying and
all I am asking is that you take the task to do the same.
Now you are saying "what can I do as a single
person"
Check with your local
Wildlife Conservation office and tell them you want to go GREEN
and help get the lead out.
See what one person changing his or her atttitude and approach to
"Fishing Green" can do; it has a domino effect.
I am asking, begging, you to help out so we all
will have a bright future for us and our young
generation.
Keep The Hooks Wet!
Steve McGoldrick
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