I just got done at a local public access for fishing. I got done filling two hefty bags with trash. Disposable diapers full of lords knows what,, beer cans, beer bottles, smokeless tobacco tins, bobbers, fishing line, egg cartons too include two unbroken eggs, bug dope cans, cans, fruit juice bottles, car parts , card board boxes, bottle caps,  foil, plastic bags, candy wrappers, one wool sock with red trim, and one bag of contents I’m not going to describe.

This is litter. This is trash. This is refuse. This is wrong.

Some of my brethren of the outdoor ilk are confused about what belongs at the public access. Im all for the public launches and the docks, to include in some instance’s a privy, and a fish cleaning station.  I always think there are too many state or county sponsored signs but that’s not my call.

I can’t do much about rising gas prices or national health care. But if I catch you trashing the place I’m gonna make you a client at the nearest clinic. It amazes me that someone can carry around a full beer, can or bottle,  but the second its empty, its suddenly to heavy to heave into a trash receptacle or crush and carry back to your trash bin.

Who takes the time to take care of little Janie or little Johnnie’s backside and then tosses that in Ma natures face? Sports drink concoctions with special sipper lids with all the vitamins and minerals to make you so healthy that you can throw the empty in the ditch, is that why they drink the stuff?

I wonder who on Gods green earth at the public access  decided to perform fender maintenance, by that I mean took the new fender out of the box, tossed the box, and the old fender in the brush. That was next to the lone red wool sock. It’s beyond my imagination. Honey you clean the fish, I going to fix the car fender, okay?

The bails of bound up fishing line leave me embarrassed. Its one of me. Its one of my fellow fisher people who did that. Not some tree hugger or bird watcher or mom taking the kids swimming. It was someone who fishes, and you make me look bad. I can do that on my own with my empty fish stringer so stop helping. 

Here’s a line I thought of as I drove out of there today. “Say bob there’s only two good eggs left, I’m just going to toss the carton and the eggs”. “Okay Fred, I’ll hook up the lights and we can go”. That’s rotten, bad smelly eggs and I don’t mean the two I picked up in the carton.

Im supposed to pick up after me. Everyone or anyone can drop something by accident in the dark or what have you. I  have not met the tike that can change there own soiled britches and then send not only the aromatic never gonna degrade plastic fully absorbent  diaper into the brush while possibly slamming a mixed nine pack of canned and glassed beer,  spitting tobacco, hot footing in one sock whilst repairing the car fender. That’s some kid don’t you think? Were all kids. I don’t care what age you are. But some of you kids need to lean to pick up after yourself.

Trout Whisperer

Karl "Trout Whisperer" Seckinger is a respected JustNorth author and outdoor adventurer. His guide service, DuNord Guide Service, and the trout waters that he fishes in the Superior National Forest, are some of the most tightly guarded secrets among Trout enthusiasts in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Learn more about booking your trout adventure at JustNorth MarketPlace - DuNord Guide Service.