Stories From the Heartland (Pt.1)

Every River Tells a Story

The next time you begin a journey or fishing expedition on one of your favorite rivers or streams, take the time to look at the surroundings (I mean REALLY look), and listen closely, as each one has it's own unique story to tell.

As we begin our journey, we may see a typical farmer out in the field plying his trade, doing his best to put food on your table and eke out an existence that was handed down to him over generations.

Coming around the bend, we notice the billowing white smoke of a local power plant churning out electricity to make your life comfortable and secure. As we turn our head to look at something perhaps more aesthetically pleasing on the opposite bank, we notice that elusive red fox we've been hoping to see for the longest time on this particular waterway.

Watching the vixen run back and forth delivering food to the underground shelter of her cubs tells you that they are around 2 weeks old, and you can't help but think to yourself that wildlife go about the business of living not much unlike that of each and every one of us on Earth. Every living thing needs to eat the food and drink the water that this planet provides in order to survive.

Perhaps the hardest facts to consider are those of how we, as humans, go about existing in this environment.

The river provides drinking water to the local residents, who in turn pay for this service by going to work at the plant that treats the water to make it palatable and healthy enough to drink in the first place. Like the fox and her cubs upstream, we too are characters in one long story of life along the river.

Let's take a closer look at a few of the characters involved as our journey continues:

With the sight of the power plant just a blur on the horizon, we come upon a neighbor of ours.

This man (or his predecessor) had long ago cut down his woods opposite mine, and is on his riding mower cutting his grass to within an inch of its life. This lawn exudes a bright green color that can only come from a bucket of chemicals designed for such. His mission for himself on the land, from our perspective, might be expressed as 'clear, drain, mow, spray, control. For him the story of a property owner features an actor at war with his surroundings, which can be beaten and shaped and maintained by constant vigilance. A piece of property such as his can only be described as a great place to practice with a pitching wedge before holing out a 25 footer on the putting green, all the while considering this to be a piece of recreational paradise on earth. The neighbor fully believes in his heart that he has the best that nature provides, and uses it to his full advantage.

Around yet another bend in the river we come upon the work crew that is clearly pouring every ounce of energy they can muster into the project at hand.

Their story says a person can draw a living from nature without harming it. One can move steadily through the workday and through one's life, chopping and digging, sawing and clearing, earning an honest buck and sleeping the good tired sleep of the farmer or stone mason. They wish nature no harm, and believe they have enough knowledge about proper and improper behavior in the field. Like our forefathers, they are forging ahead towards a bright future among fresh new land, only much more efficiently with their expensive trucks, backhoes and graders.

The end of a reflective day is nearing as we tie up the canoe at the modest dock we've fashioned at the edge of our 3 acres of wetlands and natural prairie with a simple pathway made of stone leading up to the house. Our guiding story is that of someone with conservationist knowledge and instincts, who is willing to stand up to his neighbors for those goals. Our aesthetics embrace woods and wildlife. Thoughts turn easily to how we may better protect the species of fish we are after and the quality of our water.

Like a sudden bolt of lightning in the night, a knock comes at the door and we are snapped backed to reality in an instant.

Two men from a local governmental unit have come to explain the details of their latest plan to dredge and straighten the portion of river in front of our house. It is explained that our woods and the neighbor's property get flooded during times of high water, and a very generous consortium has offered to pay for the work to its completion.

They go on to mention something about mosquito control and such, but we're not really paying attention at this point, as our attention is fixed on the sight and sound of some birds working feverishly to build a nest in the tree just beyond the door.

In each case stated above, the actors are guided by personal stories directed by specific attitudes and behaviors.

Attitudes perhaps prescribed to by our own personal environmental heroes: golfers, loggers, naturalists.

Spontaneously and without conscience we go about our life standing by our beliefs and traditions.

I'll leave it to all of you to decide if there is a moral to the story this river has to tell.

I'm certain your favorite stream has one of its own, unique in nature but common in its entirety.

Until next time, I'll leave you with this to ponder:

"The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value." ~Theodore Roosevelt

By: Mike Clifford
HeartlandOutdoorsman.Com

Mike is the owner/operator of HeartlandOutdoorsman.Com This most comprehensive website offers a unique look into the Great Outdoors. Photo Contests, discussions and reports from across the country fill out a great online experience.

---

Just What Is the Stream Trout?

The term stream trout is actually a term used to... Read More

Stream Trout Fishing

Many people enjoy a nice, long fishing trip. Others enjoy... Read More

How To Find Fish

PondsAnywhere there is a pond; it could be a hidden... Read More

Orlando Florida Fishing - Redfish Capital of the World

When visitors think of Orlando and Central Florida, they imagine... Read More

Gear Needed for Fishing with Nymphs

Now that we've covered what nymph fly fishing is all... Read More

The Frugal Fisherman: Part II

For those of you that don't know this, fishermen by... Read More

Communications Equipment in the Wilderness

For Hunting, fishing, hiking, boating or cycling in all kinds... Read More

A New World Record Bass

Many people go to Florida to fish for that trophy... Read More

Fishing The Henrys Fork - Box Canyon

It is easy to get intimidated by world class rivers.I... Read More

Chumming and Plankton Fish Catching Tips

In night fishing 95% of success is determined before your... Read More

Catch Your Limit With These Fishing Supplies

Great fishing supplies are an essential when it comes to... Read More

Nymph Fishing Techniques

Small stream nymphing is a very productive form of fly... Read More

Ever Said: We Should Have Caught Bass By Now?

Have you ever been on a lake and thought to... Read More

How to Fish Spring Trout Streams

Fishing spring creeks isn't easy. Don't expect large quantities of... Read More

The Peanut Butter and Jelly Paradox (PB&JP)

I started keeping a fishing calendar this past year. My... Read More

Take a Kid Fishing

Take a kid fishing and they will learn to be... Read More

The Hendrickson Mayfly

Mayflies are essential to trout fly fishing. There are still... Read More

The Secret About Night Fishing Line

The Best Type Of Line For Night FishingHere is a... Read More

The Sublime Pleasure of Fly Fishing

Fly fishing has a history stretching back to... Read More

Hawaii Sport Fishing

If you're coming to experience Hawaii sport fishing, you have... Read More

Monster Hunt: Ledge Lunker Blues Part I

Originally published in Procats Online MagazineSummertime angling for trophy-sized blue... Read More

Social Robotic Fish in Fish Farms

We have a problem in our fish farms, especially Salmon.... Read More

Anglers Who Want Quality Equipment at a Reasonable Price Need the Garmin 160 Fish Finder

The Garmin 160 Fish Finder has some big advantages over... Read More

Trout Species ? Brook Trout

Brook Trout: Frequently gullible, yet extremely tasty, Brook Trout are... Read More

Fishing on Your Pontoon Boat

Fishing on your pontoon boat can be both a relaxing... Read More

How To Choose the Right Fly Line Weight

Written on the rod blank or handle is a code... Read More

Ice Fishing in the Wisconsin Winter

It's late December... temperatures are racing towards 0 degrees. Ice... Read More

Update Alaska: News From The Front

Stopped into The Fishin' Hole the other day, which happens... Read More

There Is Bass In The Grass

Did you ever plan that fishing trip to the big... Read More

Fishing for Salmon? Do You Know the Different Salmon Species?

Did you know that there are five species of Pacific... Read More

Reviving Billfish

Last summer we had an unfortunate incident with a swordfish... Read More

The Fishing Mark of Mablethorpe on the East Coast of England

MABLETHORPE, is a beach resort on the East coast of... Read More

Spawning the Chinese Algae-Eater

Gyrinocheilus aymonieri Common name: Chinese algae-eater Family: Gyrinocheilidae... Read More