Legacy littered: Anglers' character defined by what they leave behind

A dead crayfish, trapped in discarded fishing line, was found on May 21 near the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam by Sunbury.

​Tangled in discarded fishing line, a small crayfish had no real chance of survival before its knotted-up corpse washed ashore below the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam near Sunbury.

The unfortunate outcome provides an important red flag ahead of a Memorial Day weekend where people traditionally surge to the river and other outdoor hotspots to unofficially kick off summer and enjoy the first of two statewide free fishing days offered by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The dead crayfish was found during an impromptu trash cleanup on Friday, May 21, in an area below the dam where anglers frequent. Discarded bait containers, plastic cups from fast food, beef jerky wrappers, a plastic license holder and pile of other random debris associated with fishing were all collected.

The next morning, on May 22, another bag of trash -- including a Zip-loc baggie filled with blood and hearts/livers used for bait -- was picked up at the same location. Five days later, on May 27, the spot yielded yet another pile of litter, including soda cans, empty bait containers and other garbage.

This is just one window into a growing problem of carelessness that gives a black eye to a group of people typically known for their many efforts toward outdoor conservations. Anglers help fund research and important programs that help preserve our aquatic ecosystem via proceeds from license sales. Many anglers are active in groups such as Trout Unlimited, watershed associations, citizen science studies and additional efforts to protect and promote our river-based resources.

One of the biggest issues facing the fishing world is lack of access to prime waterway locations -- much of which is due to landowner fear of excess litter and property damage.

Earlier this spring while fishing a stretch of the Little Shamokin Creek outside of Sunbury, my daughter and I collected quite a bit of trash left behind earlier that day by anglers. A half-full bottle of orange juice, an empty can of corn likely used for trout bait and numerous cups and worm containers littered the shoreline. I can see why some landowners are hesitant to grant access.

Last month in the lower section of the Susquehanna River watershed, near Lancaster, an osprey was spotted dangling from a bridge, its wing entangled in discarded fishing line. The media attention surrounding the dangerous rappelling-based, bridge-side rescue provided a must-see video that hopefully inspires more people to adapt the seven important principles taught via the Leave No Trace movement.

Ultimately, our natural resources provide a valuable litmus test that can tell you a lot about a person's moral compass. Hunting ethics, resiliency when facing unexpected challenges, creative problem solving and a slew of other attributes lead to opportunities for reflection and personal growth. 

I remember thinking, once upon a time, that a successful angler or hunter is measured in the fullness of a fishing creel or the size of the rack on a recently harvested buck.

However, a true outdoorsman shouldn't be defined by what he or she brings home after a day in the outdoors -- but more importantly, what's left behind.

A pile of trash collected near the Adam T. Bower Memorial dam near Sunbury on May 21, 2021.

A ball of discarded fishing line was among the items collected near the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam near Sunbury on May 21, 2021.

A full bag of new trash is collected at the Adam T. Memorial Dam near Sunbury the morning of May 22 -- less than 24 hours after a pile of litter was removed from the same location.

A pile of litter picked up on Thursday, May 27, at the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam near Sunbury -- the same spot cleaned up twice before in the same week.

Above is a news channel's video coverage of a risky bridge-side rescue of an osprey caught in discarded fishing line near Lancaster, Pa, last month.