Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Trout Season

Tuesday was opening day for trout season in Western New York and seeing a picture today of fisherman on the banks of Irondequoit Creek in Powder Mills Park I was struck by how much open space was between each fisherman.Irondequoit Creek which once was the Genesee River until it was cut off by an ancient slide and the river shifted miles to the west was our home creek and Powder Mills Park was right below our house growing up.In those days April 1st meant every inch of bank was occupied by fishermen and kids.One had a great chance of catching another line or better yet catching a hook from someones cast on the hand or neck but it was a rite of spring.It meant no matter how cold or rainy it was that winter was on it's way out.I think this decline of fisherfolk on opening day reflects our growing disconnect from our food source which makes it easier for the food and animal extremists to preach their message.I understand the number of hunters is down in Western New York also but I still see a goodly amount of them in the countryside south of Rochester on my fall visits.Fathers and sons which means it is still being passed on.But for most of us meat or fish is something we get all packaged up in the supermarket.Then some of these same people pass judgement on hunters and fishermen as throwbacks to the stone age.Which is why I think the growing trend of growing and eating locally is now spreading to meat also.More restaurants are buying grass fed locally raised meat and some are using every part of the animal.It is these chefs and farmers that are helping to educate folks on where their food comes from creating a much healthier way to look at food and eat it I think.If you have even a little spot to plant sommething do it.Especially with children.It will show them how the tomatoes or radishes etc. grow.Herbs are easy to grow and great to use.My little neighbors Sweet Pea and Knuckle Sandwich got a big kick out of the bean vine last summer.They were fascinated by how the little flowers turned into beans.

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