I often walk around McGuire Lake and am sorry that I will no longer see the young people enjoying fishing on the dock. My son and I have hooked painted turtles in the Okanagan, and last year my two grandchildren each caught one on McGuire lake. All were returned unharmed.
Mr. Crowley said in earlier letters, when trout stocking was proposed, the trout couldn’t survive in the lake. When he was proved wrong he jumped onto the painted turtle bandwagon.
Yes, we have to protect our wildlife, but if a turtle is crushed by an ambulance going to/from the hospital I don’t think it would be reasonable to close the road to traffic. I believe closing McGuire Lake to fishing because one turtle was hooked and released unharmed is also unreasonable.
Fishing is an excellent way to relax and reflect on what is going on in our busy lives. Being in the outdoors is also good for our health and often sociable. I have just returned from Europe where millions of men, women and children participate in catch-and -release fishing.
I imagine Mr. Crowley would like to put a stop to that – what a killjoy!
Mike Saul
