I know this has been visited many many times but I just have to get it off my chest...have to.  I like to golf with my wife but my passion is fishing.  And while out there doing either one I generally pick up after (for lack of better terms) others.  It just amazes me that people who like to spend time in the out doors would respect it for its natural beauty...not the garbage they add to it.  For instance...about a month ago I asked the local golf club if they would loan me a cart and I would pick up garbage and collect golf balls (love this part)  Anyway...on one hole ...about 20 feet from a garbage can just off the trail I picked up over 50 beer cans and bottles in one small area....seriously!!!  Needless to say I found quite a bit that time out.  Same goes for our waterways and I won't go into that one.

Sorry....sheeesh....thanks for listening....I kinda feel better.

Simple thing is most people on this site respect our great outdoors and what God has blessed us with to enjoy.  Not the individuals who are me...me...me.

Yep. It is sad. And it feels like a never ending & losing battle. I dunno how many times I've picked up trash around our neighborhood pond while bank fishing, only to go back next trip & find more trash.

 

Yesterday I picked up a whole wad of fishing line somebody took off their reel or broke off. My feet got tangled in it walking along the bank. 

 

But it's not a losing battle if we respectful ones keep doing our part. Imagine if we didn't. 

I agree 100%. I work with a renew our lakes group twice a year and the amount we collect goes up every time. This past fall we collected 3 40 yd roll offs full of trash in 3 days on our small lake.

I know how you all feel. Routinely I see people at state parks, lakes and walking trails throwing garbage on the ground. All we can really do is be responsible for ourselves and get the word out about clean-up efforts in our area. I make it a point after heavy rains/snow melts to take a walk around a state park along the Susquehanna River with a garbage bag to pick up the trash the high water deposits. Sadly, according to the state park rangers, I'm the only one they have ever seen doing this except on Earth Day. 

I used to carry a 2-pc. rod in my bag... when it was slow I would fish a little... if the fish were biting I would let a group or two play through! 

 

 

You should ask for a cart to go from pond to pond... if you have been picking up trash, they may just appreciate it an give you a free pass to fish all over. 

Consider yourself lucky to see our waterways in the shape that they are currently in!  Rivers and lakes in other parts of the developing world are so over run with chemicals, garbage, and human waste that they are no longer suitable for aquatic life of any kind.

 

Its a losing battle but giving up on it is not an option.