High gas prices hinder anglers, hunters

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Southwick Associates Inc., the pollsters of outdoors activities, confirm what so many of us fear: The high price of gasoline could seriously impact even short travels among anglers and hunters — and in some cases curtail them altogether.

Imagine what $3.07 a gallon can do to people who normally think nothing of driving 200, 300, 500 and more miles just to reach a favorite fishing spot or a wildlife-rich hunting area. Now add rumors that in this dangerously unstable world the price of fuel might reach $4 a gallon. And along comes a government study group that says the nation's roads and bridges are in bad need of repair and/or replacement and the only way to get it done is to add another 40 cents tax a gallon on top of what already is being charged. Could there be $5 a gallon fuel in our future? It's enough to give me a case of the hives.

Southwick says more than half of all anglers and 40 percent of all the hunters indicated rising gas prices will cause them to slow down with the outdoor activities or reduce distances traveled, plus reduce the use of gasoline-burning boat motors.

Southwick says anglers and hunters eventually might accept the high price of their recreational pursuit and return to them, but the cost to the nation's economy in the meantime could be devastating. In 2007, some $350 million in federal fishing excise tax dollars and $267 million in hunting excise taxes were distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies alone. Those are just excise taxes, not the billions of dollars spent for equipment, travel, hotels, charter captains, guides, clothing, etc. The American Sportfishing Association says the country's sport anglers spend more than $45 billion a year on fishing equipment, transportation, lodging and other expenses. With a total annual economic impact of $125 billion, fishing supports more than a million jobs and generates $34 billion in wages and $16 billion in tax revenues each year.

None of the businesses catering to recreational desires can afford to wait while half of the fishermen and hunters in the United States take a spending break.

What's up with fly-fishing? — Have you noticed that you can hardly pick up a fishing magazine or watch a cable fishing show without seeing people fly-fishing or posing with a fly-rod and a trout or bonefish? The fact of the matter is that of the 50-odd million American sport anglers, most use only conventional fishing gear, not fly-rods and reels. The most recent survey showed that spinning, spin cast and bait casting tackle is preferred over all other gear. Only 1 percent said they fly-fish only, while less than 6 percent mostly fly-fished but used conventional fishing tackle some of the time.

If less than 6 percent are mostly fly-fishing fans, someone needs to explain to me why at least 90 percent of all fishing books that are printed every year are about fly-fishing. Could it be that fly-fishers are the most literate among American anglers?

Northern Virginia CCA banquet — The Northern Virginia chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association invites the public to attend its annual banquet and fundraiser March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Shriners Kena Temple in Fairfax. It costs $50 a person with dinner at 7 and a live auction at 8. Among the items to be auctioned are more than 10 charter or guided fishing trips, a mountain resort vacation, valuable artwork, fishing gear and much more. For more information call John Bello, 703-623-7065, or Carl Onesty, 703-407-8921.

Richmond Fishing Expo — A family-oriented fishing show at the Richmond Raceway Complex on Jan. 25-27 will feature plenty of the latest gear from conventional bass fishing to freshwater fly-fishing and saltwater opportunities. More than 20 conservation organizations, a large number of outfitters, fishing charters, boating suppliers and speakers will be on hand. Nationally known anglers will conduct fishing seminars, and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries staff will answer all your questions. Check out the show's Web site, www.richmondfishingexpo.com.

• Look for Gene Mueller's Outdoors column Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, only in The Washington Times. E-mail: gmueller@washingtontimes.com.