Let me first say that my personal prayers go out to everyone affected by this nightmare. It’s hard to talk about fishing when people have lost loved ones and property. If there is anything you can do or contribute to help these people, let me encourage you to do it and do it now!
This is a fishing website, and as such I will continue to talk and write about fishing, but from here on it will be with a heavy heart.
I filled my boat up this last week. Like a lot of other people, I figured I would get gas before the price climbed way over three dollars a gallon. $147 dollars later, I have a boat full of gas; but, I now wonder what good it will be. In the wake of all that is happening, that gas may end up being used for other than fishing!
All other things being equal, I’m watching the news and it appears the high prices may last only a month or so. Who knows? But, what if the price stays up? How can we fish in our boats with gas at record price levels?
I remember the gas shortage in the 70’s and what we did during that crisis. People seen filling their boats with gas were subject to being severely criticized. Anglers found and made personal friends of gas station owners; and, a late night rendezvous with multiple gas cans was common.
I don’t see us having a shortage necessarily, but I do think the price of fuel will cause some major changes in fishing habits. Guides and charter captains will either raise their fees or begin tacking on a fuel surcharge. One local guide – a good friend of mine – already does a type of fuel charge. For inshore local trips he knocks thirty dollars off the tab for the gas he saved. On offshore and longer trips, he gets the full tab.
For us who fish in our own boats, I see a full boat leaving the dock. Many times I fish alone or with only one other angler. That will cease real soon! I go with a full boat of four – maybe even five – anglers who will all split the fuel bill, or I probably won’t go.
We may need to find some new fishing areas – closer to home. We may have to find some new methods. But, whatever we do for the near term, we will still be fishing for the long term. There is no other way.
When you finish reading this, get up, go to the phone, and make a donation to the disaster relief effort. Remember how fortunate we are that it did not happen in our back yard.
