To begin with I find it terribly stupid to assume fish have no feelings! I mean afterall,have we discussed it at length with them?

Rodney's Painted Pen Commentary

Fish Feel Not!

Yes indeedy, that's what my Father imparted to me, when I disgraced him at ten years old, refusing to kill the worm, let alone hook the fish! He snapped and said, Rodney, fish have no feelings!

Now I full well realize that few have even pondered this matter deemed as trivial and small in the eyes of most, when weighed in the arena of importance, yet I must speak on behalf of the fish at this point in time, as I state, I feel assured he finds the topic an important one indeed!

Yes, most all reigning in youth have heard this very same parroted and unthought-out parental dissertation, concerning the feelings fish have not, nor do possess. I merely feel compelled today to perhaps propose an argument and side never heard, weighed, nor considered prior, yes, that being the fishes side of the tale!

To begin with I find it terribly stupid to assume fish have no feelings! I mean have we discussed it at length with them? Have we stood inside their fins, as they take that monumental and glorious last ride on the end of a sharp jagged hook! That we enjoy so much! Completely embroiled in laughter and beer slurping glee!
Now, I can only surmise being a simple man, that the fight they put up in resistance when hooked, would suffice as a fair barometer of reason, with which to both judge and assess their initial feeling about the whole recreational concept! Yes, they put up a heroic and valiant fight of resistance, while being reeled into their tomb of demise and dark unfriendly death? Methinkest thus displaying perhaps, their reluctance to be a willing participant.

What awaits the fish when he is completely tuckered out, from the unfair tug of war between an eight pound hooked fish, and a two hundred pound man? Well, we merely toss him in the boat, and let the wee fellow squirm and suffocate! Yes, flailing away in obvious torment! Consider for a moment the fight they put up! Consider how long they flip flop and turn once finally caught, what a heroic example of a zest for life, that an eight pound fish, can cause a two hundred pound man to become out of breath after completing his assassination of sorts.

A fish has no feelings we all parrot and bark in unison! But indeed, would not the only way to know for sure, be to talk with one of these fine creations?

Does not the struggle they exhibit and display, when unjustly hooked, paint well the pain they have involuntarily embarked upon? Fish have no feelings! Actually I have never heard more moronic words uttered in my whole entire life!

All the creatures of the land do indeed cry and scream in horrid pain, when subjected to brutality and torture! I can only presume that it eases our guilt somewhat, to entertain such a foolish notion, when bullying one of these lovely creations unto a death, bathed in torturous brimming trim.

Yes, we have varied and numerous such practices steeped and buried in barbary and brutality to my way of thinking, yes blasting fouls in flight out of their poetic pose and soar of ecstasy, with shotguns blast's that cant miss!

I shall not recount the sweeping myriad and varied spectrum encompassing our brutality visited upon the animal kingdom at large this day, sufficeth to say, we call murder recreation when it comes to such things!

I simply felt led to be an advocate for my underwater friends this fine day. Yes, now, due to bleeding hearts such as mine, we now tame the TV fishing series down a bit as well, in a pathetic attempt to dress it in attire of advanced consciousness, yes, now we merely hook em and reel them in, ripping their mouth and face to shreds, but, we don't kill them! We rather in our attempt to be civil, toss the fish back in, assuming naturally that he has incurred no real discomfort due to this, his ordeal, and our recreation.

I care not to belabor this vicious and sordid practice we call fun, I merely suggest we quit lying to our children, by telling them that a fish has no feelings! For if one had ever truly wanted to know, they would have merely watched the horrid event and spectacle unfold, from beginning to end, closely, and then surely, they would agree as well, that all creation, when brutally tortured, do yes, feel the significant and unfriendly touch of mankind's imprint and callous brand, upon their life, now vanquished and gone.
Peace,
Rodney Evan Bohen