Two minutes...that's all it takes!

[leahcim_dahc]

Hi, all!

While fishing down at the Puyallup river today, I got to noticing quite a bit of trash around a few of the spots along the bank. Not alot of trash, but more than what there should ever be. Fished the river for about four or five hours this morning and once I was done, wandered to my pickup, put my gear away and grabbed a trash bag from behind my seat. Walked back to the spot and cleared about 98% of the trash that was lying about. The rest I couldn't get to because I have already fallen into the drink twice since opening day...and really didn't want to swim it again.

Anyrate, it took me and a buddy less than two minutes to collect enough trash to partially fill a 13 gallon trash bag...from one location. When I fish, I pack out what I pack in as do most. I do understand there are some @$$holes that decide they must be too good...or just too lazy to pack out their trash and leave it behind. I carry trash bags when I fish just for this sort of thing. Pick up around the area when I am done...sometimes before I even start (depending on how much crap is there). It really isn't that hard. Most of us are courteous enough to pick up after ourselves. :thumright

However, there are those that do not. So if you happen to be down on the river, and see someone picking up some trash from the spots along the bank...give a hand, it won't take long. Just a couple minutes. For that matter, when you leave for the day, and you are clearing up your area...take a look around and if you have the room, pick up some trash from the neighboring spots. The river has only been open for two weeks...I am sure there will be lots of trash before it's closed for the season.

It is not a right to fish the rivers of Washington...it is a privilege. Let's do what it takes to keep that privilege for ourselves...and others. Thanks!

/me hops off my soapbox now...

[Marc Martyn]

Me hopes you have a strong soap box, because many want to get up on it also. o:)
Thanks for the positive post. I think that if trash cans were provided in popular spots, maybe more people would use them, but since they many times aren't, people get lazy and don't bother. Perhaps, the only solution would be a community effort to keep the litter down.
The Lower Yakima River area has an annual "river clean up" where clubs and organizations gather when the river is low and go out and clean up the river banks. They make it a weekend gathering, combined with the clean up and a fishing trip. It has proven to be quite productive.
It is too bad that the human being is suppose to be the most intelligent species on the earth and is the biggest

[leahcim_dahc]

It would be nice to have some trash cans, but I can see that causing more issues within the county or city with regards of whose responsibility it is to keep them emptied and who will pick up the tab. I thought about buying a couple trash cans and putting them at the spots I fish...whether they stay put, or anyone uses them remains to be seen. A buddy of mine told me someone bought a trash can and placed it down on the Nisqually...it gets used, but doesn't get emptied...so now the can is overfull and spilling over.

With regards to the community clean-up, I think that is a good idea. We had a few ponds and rivers back home which people would get together and clean up. I haven't been fishing the Puyallup very much in that particular area or the Puyallup in general, there may be someone that deals with that sort of thing.

I plan to go fishing on Sunday, while it has been slow for the past couple days...might be a good time to clean up a bit. If I see anyone around those particular spots, I'll attempt to solicit some help from them. I'll haul off the trash and provide some trash bags...but just need a hand picking up a bit. Won't take long. Just a couple minutes between casts is all.

Anyrate, I need to quit pissing and moaning...going to make for a long day. :bounce:

[YellowBear]

My wife and I would like to thank you all for cleaning up after others.

We have a launch that we use most every weekend and every time we are there we gather trash.
3 years ago we hauled 2 pickup loads of trash out. I am happy to say that this year we have gathered much less.
It seems that folks are getting the hint.
Keep up the good work and thanks again.

[panfisher]

it does not matter if there is trash cans around the popular spots, my experience with this issue about garbage is that that the majority are people who are enjoying these areas to bring their families, or to throw a line in while they are out relax'n after work, or are need'n to bathe after a hard grubby day of work in the disguise of swimming, same people. i've talk to and told these same types to pick up after themselves when the stuff is newly put in the water and or around them, only to have them give me the no comprenda attitude. there can be a can 50 ft away and they are to lazy to pick up their trash and put it in the can. i pick up my share of others trash so that what has happened to some of the I-82 ponds(closers due to trash and vandalizim) hopefully doesn't happen (and it will) stiffer finds may help but maybe they need to due what some states have done and make it( a pay to play/fish area) then maybe the others that are next to these trashers will get angry enough to get them to take their trash with them.

[cavdad45]

On every outing with my scouts we stress Leave No Trace principles. Often on a fishing outing we will spend an hour or so cleaning up so they can get their community service hours.

[fishnislife]

Way to go leahcim_dahc. If more people were like you we would have no problems with littering on rivers and lakes. Keep it up and lead by example. Hopefully some people will follow suit.


fishnislife

[leahcim_dahc]

On every outing with my scouts we stress Leave No Trace principles. Often on a fishing outing we will spend an hour or so cleaning up so they can get their community service hours.

Very good! Hopefully, teaching youth personal responsibility particularly with regards to cleaning up after themselves holds over later in life.

I went fishing today, and right across from me a group of four individuals were drinking and throwing their cans into the bushes when they were done. I fumed for about three hours, then about had an aneurysm when one of them tried to floss and snag fish. To top it all off...they laughed and had some snide comments towards me when I picked up trash before I left. Had I been on their side of the river...I would have punched them in the throat.

[skimpy]

Great post leahcim_dahc . I have noticed a lot of trash lately and I do try to pick up what I can. I think that it is absolutlty great that so many people are doing their part to make our lakes and rivers cleaner. THANKS TO EVERYONE.

[MikeFishes]

I almost always have a "Joes" or "Sports Authority" bag with me when I fish, and the area I fish in is always cleaner when I leave. I need to keep some of those grocery bags in my car so that I don't have an excuse for doing a little cleaning up when I'm out.

[bigastrout]

Thanks for the good work leahcim_dhac =d>

Everyone please put a trash bag in you tackle box. Its that easy...

[Anonymous]

That's what I did on Sept. 17th

"The garbage I picked up and carried out weighted more than the fish."

The next time I went, which was the 21st, it wasn't bad at all. Of course the Carbon doesn't get the traffic that the Puyallup does. So in my area I think it only a few that leave a real mess. BUT what really bothers me is smokers leaving butts. In the water and on shore. I hate cigarettes.
How many of those of you who smoke, pack out your butts?

[shawn]

I did the same Yesterday out on siclair inlet.Two diffrent spots in Gorst while trying to hook in to a king or two.Then at Ross Point while smelting talk about a good tasting fish.All in all the trash wasn't that bad it's been alot worst.:colors: