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  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! ~ Discarded Fishing Line
Sept. 13, 2009
Have you ever tripped or become entangled in a section of fishing line? The answer is probably “YES”, since most anglers have shared this experience more than once. While discarded monofilament line is a nuisance to mankind, it can also be deadly to fish, fowl and other wild animals. The almost invisible tangling coils can seal a bird’s beak shut, or immobilize other forest creatures. Even dolphins, manatees and sea turtles have been twisted victims of improperly disposed of fishing line.
Men and wildlife aren't the only victims. Discarded line has a way of becoming wrapped around a boat propeller or sucked into the cooling system of a personal watercraft. The result is an unnecessary hardship and expense.
Since monofilament line doesn't bio-degrade quickly, it should never be thrown in the water or disposed of at a landfill. Short term, it should be cut into small sections (6”-12”), and placed in a secure container with the other trash accumulated during a fishing trip, taken to a collection bin at a local tackle shop, or mailed directly to Pure Fishing America (Berkley), 1900 18th Street, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360. There, it is melted back to raw plastic and recycled into plastic products, including tackle boxes and spools for line.
Better yet, use the new collection bins being installed at high traffic fishing areas adjacent to Lake Norman. One is at the Little Creek Access Area in Denver, NC – the first of ten to be installed. According to Dennis Eddinger, Store Manager at West Marine in Cornelius, NC, “The bins are made of PVC pipe and secured to a structure near the launch site.” A sign on the premises requests that only line be deposited. Hooks, bobbers and other terminal tackle should be removed. This program is being supported by the Boat U.S. Foundation, NOAA Marine Debris, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, West Marine and others.
Tips From Capt. Gus:
When fishing or boating, do not to throw anything in the water, particularly plastics and monofilament line.
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, September 24, 2009 - “Everything You Want to Know About Tying Fishing Knots” will be a free seminar at Gander Mountain, Exit 36 - Mooresville, NC. This ninety-minute presentation will be conducted by Capt. Gus. Call 704 658 0822 for additional information.
Hot Spots of the Week:
Cooler air and water temperatures have bass and stripers feeding aggressively at the lower end of the lake. Bass are surface feeding in schools in large coves. Stripers remain suspended at water depths to sixty feet .The surface water temperature is in the low to mid-eighties and the lake level is 3.5' below full pond.
This week’s fishing forecast:
Sun, mixed with clouds and a good possibility of catching a trophy fish.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, and is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704.617.6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
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