Hi Chris
Good post, you raise some good arguments.
In the end, I think my main point is to follow the wise words of Henry Rollins: "don't just talk about it, DO IT"...meaning there's too much sitting on the sidelines bitching about what "THEY" are doing to "US". Better to take some responsibility and think through what you can do to improve the situation, even if it goes no further than cleaning up your own act. At least that way, we (you, I) can hold our heads up knowing that we're doing no harm, even if it doesn't go beyond that.
If the aspect that interests you most is the political/DFO issues, then that's fine, but I suggest you think it through politically and strategically. If you want to continue the parenting analogy, standard parent response is to never given in to a tantrum, even if you're wrong (you don't negotiate with terrorists). A well-played refusal to cooperate or blockage type strategy can potentially have a big change in your favour...but anything less and it will backfire and do harm. I can tell you for a fact, recreational anglers do not have any more public support on this issue than commercial, First Nations, or anyone else. Joe and Jane Public see us all as spoiled brats that were given a nice toy and broke it, and now need some consequences, whether that is no more toys or a spanking. So, what I'm saying is, your blockade isn't likely to ignite a storm of public support...this isn't Clayoquot and you're not arguing the "good side" of conservation. The general public DOES NOT see recreational anglers as a victim in all this.
Anyways, refusing to cooperate with DFO may have the result you're hoping for, or it may have the response of "refusal to cooperate highlights the general disdain for conservation", and gives them the fuel they need to just shut it down. Not saying it'll play out that way, but if I was on THEIR side, that's the angle I'd be chasing.
So...back to fishing...I suggest keep focusing on the fun and in the back of your mind also keep thinking of what you can do to make things better. What each of us choose to focus on is an individual decision, but if we all find some way to contribute positively, then things can only get better or at least won't get any worse.
And again, I wish I were fishing today, instead of avoiding chores by typing this post....
John
