May 28, 2020
My guests today include big game specialist and Sportfishing captain Vic Levett, Australian fishing guide Justin Duggan, and steelhead guide and photographer Adrienne Comeau, who also happens to be a life-long vegetarian. In this episode of Into the Backing we tackle the argument of whether catch and release fly fishing is truly beneficial to fish, or if it’s unnecessary torture for our own fun.
Outline of this Episode:
- [4:35] Is catch and release fishing selfish?
- [10:05] Catch and release fishers are often advocating for a better fishery
- [13:03] Do catch and release fishers have a greater impact on a fishery?
- [15:30] Why torture an animal for fun?
- [28:23] We anthropomorphize animals
- [34:40] Catch and release numbers can’t compare with commercial fishing
- [41:04] Can fish really feel pain?
- [44:53] There are reasons to let fish go
- [51:246] If you take the anglers out of the picture you will kill the fisheries