Why I Almost Quit Fishing (And Why You Should Care Too)
Let’s cut to the chase: I haven’t posted about fishing in ages. Wanna know why? It’s not because I lost my love for casting a line-it’s because the state of our fish resources and water environments has sucked the joy right out of me. Most days, I’m just…disappointed. Yeah, sure, sometimes “air force” (catching nothing) is on me-maybe my technique’s off, or I picked the wrong spot. But let’s be real: in most urban waterways, the water’s so messed up, fish can’t even survive. What do you expect? No fish = no catches. And I know I’m not alone in this-this is the silent cry of almost every angler in Shanghai, right?
A Surprise Catch That Hit Different (And Why It Matters)
The “I Thought I’d Catch Nothing” Outing
Today’s weather was actually nice-cool enough to sit outside without sweating through my shirt. So I dragged myself out, even though I knew the river nearby smells like a chemistry experiment gone wrong. Call me crazy, but I joked to myself that my lungs were missing their daily dose of PM2.5, so why not get a “fix” by the water? I set up my gear and started typing this post while waiting-fully expecting to go home empty-handed (again). I was already mentally prepping my “air force commander” acceptance speech.
Then it happened. My tiny seven-star float (you know, the classic one) suddenly dipped and started drifting sideways. Oh. My. God. Adrenaline hit me like a truck! My little mini fishing rod bent-like, bent to its absolute limit. I thought it was gonna snap in half! I didn’t dare yank it; I had to play “tai chi” with whatever was on the other end. Let me tell you about my setup: I use a self-tied line with a single stream hook-always single hook, no doubles. I trust my line work 100%, but here’s the thing: the hook was tiny, and the hook shank was super thin. That’s why my heart was racing-could I even reel this thing in without it getting away?
The Chaotic (But Epic) Fight
This fish was putting up a fight! It darted out, I reeled it in a little; it darted again, I let it go a bit. Back and forth, back and forth. And here’s the kicker: I didn’t bring a landing net. Total rookie move, right? But wait-I did have a net head in my bag. So I improvised: I grabbed a random 1.2-meter stick lying nearby and stuck the net head on it. Boom-my ghetto temporary landing net was born!
After a few more rounds, I’d worn the fish down. I knew it was a carp before I even saw it-because I’d seen bubble trails popping up in my spot three times earlier. Sure enough, when it finally surfaced, it was a carp with perfect, shiny scales. Let me tell you, that feeling? It was like hitting a home run with a plastic bat. So close to losing it, but so worth it. If I’d pulled even a little harder, the hook would’ve torn through its lip, and it would’ve gotten away. Thank god I played it calm.
Why This Catch Made Me Double Down on Protecting Fish Resources
That carp? It was a miracle. Not because I caught it with a tiny hook (though that’s cool), but because it was alive. In a river that smells like sewage. In a city where most waterways are too polluted for fish to thrive. That catch wasn’t just a win for me-it was a reminder: if we don’t start taking care of our water and fish, moments like this will disappear. Forever.
What We Anglers Can Do (Right Now)
We can’t wait for someone else to fix this. Here’s what we can start doing today:
- Use single hooks, not doubles or triples: Less chance of injuring fish if we release them (which we should do, by the way).
- Release fish that aren’t for eating: Especially small ones or breeding adults. Let them grow and reproduce!
- Pick up your trash: Those plastic bags, snack wrappers, and old line? They kill fish and clog up the water. Take your mess with you.
- Speak up: If you see someone dumping garbage in the river or overfishing with illegal nets, say something. Or report it. Silence helps no one.
A Final Plea (From One Angler to Another)
That carp I caught? It’s going back in the water tonight. I don’t keep fish I don’t need, and this one? It’s a symbol of what’s still possible-if we care. Imagine a future where every time we go fishing, we don’t have to cross our fingers and hope for a single bite. Imagine rivers that don’t smell like chemicals, where fish are plentiful again.
But here’s the truth: that future won’t happen if we keep turning a blind eye. So let’s make a promise, right now. Let’s protect our fish resources. Let’s keep our waters clean. Because if we don’t? The next generation of anglers won’t even know what it’s like to feel a rod bend with a fish on the line. And that’s a future I don’t wanna live in.
Alright, I’m gonna get back to fishing. Who knows? Maybe another miracle will swim by. But whatever happens, I’m not giving up-not on fishing, and not on saving our fish.
