James Murray truly “outdoes” himself in two columns (“Lured by quality of a bygone era” and “Family fishing weekend approaches” – Shuswap Market News, March 21 and June 6.)
Well – “outdoes” himself, in prolonging outdated attitudes and beliefs of that “bygone era” anyway! The fishing gear column – describing old, glass-eyed wooden plugs, was beautifully nostalgic – with names of old lures, like the Chubb Creek Minnow.
As a youngster, I knew that name well, but growing up, I learned to relate to all of nature – not in terms of domination and exploitation – but instead, in terms of respect.
Ironically, James says it all when he describes the ‘new’ lures by their aggressive, nature-dominating names like Killer Crank Baits, Buzz Bombs and Hawg Busters.
His take on these current, aggressive names is shockingly correct: “…it’s almost as if they are at war with nature itself.”
You’ve nailed it James, that’s exactly what they are – at war with nature. Thanks for connecting those dots!
Through incessant Fishing Derby promotions, James extols the presumed apple-pie innocence of families and the public celebrating their dominance and disrespect for nature and its aquatic creatures.
(We await James’ explanation of how a nature-dominating event – like fishing derbies – can possibly foster a respect for nature, by killing it.
Surely, in the 21st century, it must be obvious that we are part of an ancient continuum linking all life on Earth?
Unfortunately, for much of our recorded history, we have insisted that we are fundamentally separate from all other living things, making us superior and having entitlement over the whole natural world. The evidence is clear: we aren’t, and we haven’t.
Tom Crowley
