Not to mention C&R is the norm now, didn't used to be that way at all. .

Well its not the norm everywhere. Up here where Im at my circle of people that I know Im the only one that C&R. They think Im crazy and waisting my time for not keeping anything, even my wife. If they catch it they keep it.  I see lots and lots of fish kept out of little local lakes/ponds here.

Not to mention C&R is the norm now, didn't used to be that way at all. .

Well its not the norm everywhere. Up here where Im at my circle of people that I know Im the only one that C&R. They think Im crazy and waisting my time for not keeping anything, even my wife. If they catch it they keep it. I see lots and lots of fish kept out of little local lakes/ponds here.

Ha, I guess it isn't 100% but I'd say there's no question it is much more prevalent than back in the day.  I was over at Wheeler dam a couple of months ago (see avatar pic:) )and a lot of the locals were throwing those nice smallies in coolers there, kinda cracked me up.  I never met a legal crappie I felt like putting back but for whatever reason I treat bass differently unless I'm on a pond that actually needs some removed. 

To the extent that I can now fish locations that haven't seen ten bazillion lures froth up every square inch of water, yes, it's gotten somewhat easier.  And yes, my equipment far exceeds the old Zebco "gravel crushers" of my youth.  But easier?  Fish are still fish.  I hope I can say I've gotten better.