Done the 20th Century way, fishing can be a dirty business. Lead, petroleum, and so, so much plastic are largely to blame. But fishing doesn’t have to stay this way. Anglers and the manufacturers who supply them are embracing clean tech to change the way fishing is done.
What do rotomolded kayaks, the internet, freeze drying, and duct tape all have in common? They are all adaptations of inventions by the military.
Back in the 19th century, European nations were looking for a better method for producing artillery shells. They needed to be able to create an even thickness in the shell wall. A Brit by the name of R. Peters gets credit for the idea of rotational molding, AKA rotomolding, for achieving the desired result.
One of the best parts about getting out on the water early in the morning or late in the evening is the quiet. Nearby human neighbors are likely either asleep or otherwise occupied, and you’ve got nothing but the local fauna to fill the surrounding soundscape.
But if you’re relying on a gas-powered motor to get around, then you won’t be able to pick up on much besides the slap of a beaver’s tail, if that.
Since the dawn of time – or at least the beginning of recreational fishing – anglers have needed a way to add weight to their lines and lures. Lead quickly became the go-to choice for manufacturers, who molded the soft, gray metal into jig heads and spinnerbaits, as well as sinkers of all shapes and sizes.
But a few decades ago, scientists started realizing that lead represented a serious risk to the health of people, wildlife and ecosystems. This spurred anglers and wildlife conservationists to seek out safer alternatives and to stop using lead whenever possible. Some places – including Canada, the United Kingdom and several US States – have enacted bans on lead fishing tackle.