My dad and I, after I was done with another school year, would leave on a vacation to go fishing. Without fail, we would go on these vacations every summer. We had a favorite lake in Minnesota called Lake Itaska. For several years in a row we went to that lake. The last time we were there was over a year ago. I miss that Itaska. The scenery was amazing and the quiet evenings with only the loons calling to one another were truly breathtaking. The sun exploding over the water and in the clouds as it slid away into night was always amazing to see from the quiet and still waters.

In that time, I have finished high school, gotten my first job and car, moved to college, and become a vegetarian (and am in transition to full time vegan). Since I started my voyage towards a more ethical lifestyle, I have become extremely conscious of my eating habits and what I purchase. I have also become aware of how I treat animals and how fishing affects that.

I have always treated all animals (even insects) with respect. I dislike killing and hurting and, frankly, I am surprised it took me so long to finally kick meat. I remember reading Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and thinking that was the book that would make me go vegetarian. Obviously, that did not happen until now; two years after reading the book.

I am deeply conflicted, and perhaps I always have been, about fishing. Often times, I lump fishing and hunting together, yet I see hunting as totally cruel. In hunting, the animal has no way of knowing or avoiding the hunter. Humans, unnatural in the animal’s environment use every tool to attract and kill it. The animal has no way of escaping. They either die upon getting shot or they run injured and scared until they die in pain or are finished off, oh so mercifully, by the hunter.

With fishing the line is much less clear. I have always viewed fishing as a choice by the animal. If it does not want the lure it does not go for it, simple as that. Perhaps, that is my own way of justifying fishing to myself. I understand, however, that fishing is painful for the animal. It is something I think about constantly when I am out on the water. It is difficult to invade an animal’s mouth and dig out a barbed hook, I apologize constantly while doing it. Regardless, I always end up throwing my lure out again.

Fishing is a part of my family. My grandparents grew up and lived on the East coast where fishing was and still is a way of life. My dad has fond memories and some hilarious tales of my grandfather and him out on the boat. Fishing is a part of my family’s past and present. Fishing is part of me and it is deeply bound to culture.

Is culture enough to justify a cruel and hurtful pastime? I do not know the answer to that. That question is something we all have to think about. Are our tastebuds more important than an animals life? Is our comfort more important than an animal’s suffering? Are our pastimes fun and doable if it hurts others at the same time? Is culture the deciding factor? Ever since veganism came into my radar I have wondered if it is possible to have the world completely change over and do away with all animal products. Undeniably it would have tremendous change on our environment, economy, and health. However, it would also change many ways of life and, at times, destroy entire cultures.

The question, is culture more important than suffering, is something we all have to answer for ourselves and as a species. It is time something change, but with culture in the way nothing ever will.