http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/news/story?id=4975762

first tremors of some potential quakeyness in the legality of recreational fishing!! What do you make of it?

Here is a different take on the issue:

http://www.examiner.com/x-37128-Charlotte-Fishing-Examiner~y2010m3d9-ESPN-claims-Obama-is-about-to-ban-fishing

I won't say there is no risk, as I remain concerned for several reasons. However, last I checked they were looking at the moment at over harvest at the hands of commercial. A real issue that needs some form of fixing

Looking at commercial fishing and recreational fishing in the same light would be ignorant... but yah, I guess I would have to be pretty naive to believe someone could be so evil as to BAN recreational fishing haha

In light of recent attacks on recreational fishing, I'm taking action by starting a fishing militia. A little preventative action, so we're not scrambling around at the last second when it actually happens (-;

So outlaw fishing militia, who's down hahaha

i dont understand what is the reason for that to happen whats the downside of fishing!!

A lot of people say there's no way fishing can be banned either here in Canada or in the US but there are a lot of well-funded and highly positioned forces out there who mean no goodwill whatsoever towards anglers no matter how many times we try to convince them we're conservationists and share similar goals. There's enough politicians out there stupid enough and detached enough to do serious harm. Look how close this passed into law in Canada -- a federal law with power over everyone in the country-- eight years ago. I refer to section 182.2(1)(a),line two of the animal cruelty bill C-10 in 2002:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/2/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/lega-e/witn-e/chipeur-e.htm

It came two votes away from passing before this line was thrown out. Still to think it made it that far is scary enough.
In the US the current issue is a conservation one, but still WWF, Greenpeace et al will turn angling into an animal cruelty issue, and lobby for exclusive representation while they're at it. There's no conspiracy issue here, just read what they and their members have to say on their websites.

I joke about it, but if and when the time comes, give me a call. I'm a half hour from West Virginia. Could find some great allies for the fishing war, and they'll bring the guns and moonshine (-;

p.s. I'm down with the outlaw fishing militia too. OFM -- it's got a nice ring to it.

I'm about 1-1.5 hrs from Wyoming. That is a state that would be up for any kind of militia. I'm kinda surprised they haven't seceded already

I don't worry about these things. If they can't get fur trapping banned (and certain groups want to!), good luck trying to ban fishing. That's why I think all outdoorspeople should defend fur trapping. It heads the anti's off at the pass. I don't believe there is any credible threat to recreational angling here, nor will we see one in our lifetimes.

I am going to back Corey on this one. The Op Ed piece in question has actually gotten a disclaimer/ apology from the ESPN editor.
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/columns/story?columnist=bowman_steve&id=4982359

I am currently reading the report in question and I feel it is safe to say that the whole thing was seriously blown out of proportion. If I find any evidence to the contrary I will be sure to update you all.

That being said, I do reserve my constitutional right to join a fishing militia. In fact, I nearly formed my own when someone mentioned "single barbless hooks only" near a local lake...