Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Talking Garbage on the Stream - No Buttheads Please!!

Date: April 25th 2011     Weather: 60's      Time: 5:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

This is just a quick post about picking up trash along one of the streams we fish.  I usually walk up a stream and then take a road back to my vehicle.  I am always disgusted at all of the trash people throw out their car windows.  So today the kids and I decided since it was so nice out that we would go out and take care of some business.  We decided to go to a stretch of stream that is open to the public.  The last thing I want people to remember when they come to fish the Driftless Area is all of the garbage they saw along the road and stream!  When we arrived my son got out of the car and said,"Its kind of like an Easter Egg hunt, but with garbage instead." That made me chuckle.  They were pumped to do some clean up, so we set out.
My daughter Sephora, was jazzed to be the first one on the board with a find.

Four Thumbs up and they are ready to go!

"Don't people know what a trash can is for?"

It wasn't long before their bags started to fill up!

Although not garbage, we decided to eradicate this thistle.

Here a few pics of some of Nature's waste. 




Luckily all of this stuff decomposes and returns back to the land from which it came.  The man made trash on the other hand.  Not so much.  The majority of the trash we found while out were cigarette packages, cigarette butts, soda cans and bottles, and of course McDonald's wrappers.  Looks like some really healthy lifestyles.  Not to mention if most of these people are to lazy to throw this stuff away, I can only imagine what shape they are in.  The government should force these tobacco companies and fast food chains to put garbage cans out in rural areas.  I don't know if this would help or not, but somethings gotta give.  The kids continued to stay in a positive state of mind and onward we went.

It seems like he was having as much fun picking up garbage as he does playing video games:)


My son Ocean, getting deep, going for the Gold:)

One of the land owners along this stretch has a really nice wetland's preserve that Geese, Herons, Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes, Ducks ..etc.... frequent.  I explained to the kids we were out there helping to make sure that none of this Wildlife would be harmed from man's discarded waste.  My daughter thought that was just great.

A couple of resident geese.

Here is the trout stream and to the left all the way back in is some beautiful wetlands.

After a few hours of hiking we decided to call it a day.   We played a little baseball in the newly cleaned area, and then headed home.  I was extremely proud of my kids for the great attitude and effort that they put forth today.   I know it is only a small dent in the extreme amount of garbage along the roadside, but at least this stretch is clean.  FOR NOW!!  Last year we collected two whole full garbage bags of trash.  So I guess people did a little better this year.

Looks like the trusty ole Subaru is a garbage truck today.  Went out with the trash this morning!


So remember those of you who can't seem to be able to reach out your car window and put your trash in a gas station trash can.  DON'T BE A BUTTHEAD!!!  Please put your trash where it belongs:)


Until Next time........Tight lines to all!

18 comments:

  1. Great post, My fly fishing club is doing a clean up this weekend. It's good to keep our resource clean. If people don't take the initiative to do stuff like this I'm not sure what will happen.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kev2380,
    Thanks. I agree. Nothing worse then seeing a car parked along a stream and then seeing a pile of garbage sitting there after the person leaves:( Good to hear that your club is helping to fight the good fight. Tight Lines...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, very good post. We should all have our kids do some community service to make our world a little nicer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My mom used to always tell me, "isn't it nice to know that someone is cleaning up after you..." I didn't really understand what she meant until I flew the coop. I remember doing a clean on the Rush River a couple years back, it was amazing to see how little people cared for such a great resource. Your post is a great lesson for us all to make sure that just because a problem exists, it doesn't mean we can't take some initiative to make things better. Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cofisher,
    My kids definitely were more pumped about cleaning up the stream than they are in cleaning up their rooms:) Can't say I blame them...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sanders,
    Wouldn't it be nice if our moms could come over and clean up around the house every once in a while still:) It really felt good as we drove away and couldn't spot a single scrap of garbage on that stretch..

    ReplyDelete
  7. You guys get the Brk Trt big THANK YOU.

    Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brk Trt,
    Hey thanks, appreciate that. My kids will be glad to hear that their hard work was appreciated. Tight Lines....

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hey TM. It's seems to be an on going thing being a trash collector. I guess someone has to follow those idiots and collect their droppings. Kudos to you and your kids for a day of cleanup.

    Mark

    ReplyDelete
  10. Shoreman,
    Thanks a lot. I suppose I could send the County a bill for trash collecting:) Its all worth it once you get to enjoy a trash free zone...plus the kids had a great time too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Little late getting here to post. However, like all the others that have commented, just wanted to commend your kids and yourself for a job well done. I think everyone who appreciates and uses the outdoors should take just a few minutes to haul out what they brought in and then maybe one bag more!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Mel,
    Thanks a lot. I agree. I like to carry a small plastic bag out with me just in case I come across some garbage, or maybe some MORELS:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Magee,
    Great post. You got the right idea, Get the kids involved. I love to write about and photograph my kids.

    ReplyDelete
  14. John,
    Thanks much. I love seeing my kids enjoying nature and helping keep these wonderful resources clean.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gold star for you guys! Isn't it amazing all the cigarette butts there are everywhere?! "There are over 176,000,000 pounds of discarded cigarette butts in the United States each year." Absolutely ridiculous - they aren't biodegradable people! Keep your carcinogens to your dang selves.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Flyfishermanrichard,
    Thanks much. Just trying to do our part a little bit at a time.

    ReplyDelete
  17. S&D,
    Thanks a lot. That is a staggering statistic. G Damn cigarette butts.

    ReplyDelete

Cast your line here...Thanks!

Early Season Winter 2013

Youtube MaGee

How to tie the " Baby Brook Trout"


Who Is Trout MaGee

My photo
Driftless Area, SW Wisconsin, United States
I am an easygoing person who likes to fish and just enjoy life. I have a family, a beautiful wife and two(soon to be three), awesome children that make my world go round. I enjoy fishing,photography and being out in nature.

Basic Studios

Basic Studios

SW Wisconsins Driftless Area Weather


Other Great Fishing/Outdoor Blogs

STRAIGHT FROM MY MIND TO YOURS

STRAIGHT FROM MY MIND TO YOURS

ST.CROIX For Life

ST.CROIX For Life
Best Rods on Earth