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Wow. It's getting serious now. The countdown to Christmas is in the single digits and the holiday hustle is accelerating.
While it's the season of giving and getting, Christmas of course is about so much more than "stuff."
It's the traditional time of family gatherings, joyous parties, giggling children and shell-shocked parents. It's the season to celebrate faith and to share our blessings with people who make our lives whole. Christmas is a pitstop in our lap around the sun. It's a time to stop for a moment to rest and recharge for the new year that awaits our entrance - and that most certainly includes those of us who call ourselves anglers. As a fisherman, I find this to be particularly meaningful. So in the spirit of the holiday season, I share my Christmas wishes for all who love our waters and the opportunity to go fishing.
Clean water - It tops my list. We are the beneficiaries of those who toiled to make the Clean Water Act possible. Our Lake Erie, Ohio River and even the reservoirs near Youngstown and Warren might very well be unfishable had Congress failed to pass the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 and the Clean Water Act of 1972. We must never take clean water for granted. And that encompasses all manner of responsible management of our water resources, including how to deal with invasive aquatic plant species without adding poison to the water.
Mahoning River success - A dedicated corps of kayakers, environmentalists and community leaders have lent money and muscle to restoring the Mahoning River for the enjoyment of all. They have succeeded in cleaning up the river, removing dams and adding access for those who wish to paddle the urban, suburban and rural stretches of our region's namesake waterway. I wish them continued progress in their collective efforts to make the river usable while also ensuring it can continue to serve the industries that still rely on its water.
Bountiful catches - Not so many years ago, anglers who returned from fishing trips at Mosquito, Berlin, Milton, West Branch and Shenango reservoirs were not typically bragging to neighbors about limit catches. The fishing has improved over the past 20 years, in my opinion, and limits of walleyes, crappies and bass are more to be expected. For 2022 and beyond, I wish for more and more anglers to enjoy bountiful catches on our local lakes and rivers.
Respect - My wish for the entire angling community is that we consider our actions every time we go to the water. Not only must we leave no figurative footprint, but we also must be courteous to all those with whom we share the water. Let's make litter extinct and honor boundaries around fellow anglers, boaters and landowners. Sing it loud like Aretha Franklin, R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
Safe travels - May everyone return home safe and sound after our days on our favorite waters. No broken bones. No sunburn. No soaked clothing. No broken propellers. No swamped boats. May we all recognize the potential for calamity and keep our boats in tip-top operating conditions and appreciate that PFD's cannot do their job if they are stowed and unreachable should an accident occur.
Friendship and mentorship - I wish 2022 delivers more fishing friendships and numerous opportunities for boundless fun with those who matter the most. May the next fishing season also open more doors for us to share our own decades of on-the-water experience with the next generation of anglers.
Lures and tackle - Actually they aren't on my wish list. Santa will probably take care of that stuff if you are so inclined.
The rest is up to us.
Merry Christmas!
Jack Wollitz's new book, The Common Angler: A Celebration of Fishing, seeks to explain the "why" behind our love of fishing. He enjoys emails from readers. Send a note to jackbbaass@gmail.com.