As spring comes more fully into view and people become increasingly more agitated by the restrictions we are being subjected to, special interests and hobbyists are being more vocal.

If the weather is cold and rainy we don’t miss golf and biking so much. If fishing season is a month away it is easy for the devout angler to encourage everyone to follow the rules being suggested by doctors and scientists to avoid massive numbers of people catching this virus.

In today’s email we learned that spring trout season will go as always according to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. No, actually they fooled everyone and kicked off trout season Tuesday morning at 8.

So much for all the fanfare associated with opening day. It does away with the special first day for kids referred to as Mentored Youth Trout Day. Of course the plan is that all fishermen will maintain a safe distance of six feet or more while enjoying their sport of choice.

At the same time we have learned that the Pennsylvania State Police are being asked to enforce the rules and keep golfers from risking harm to themselves and others by venturing onto the links even walking and carrying their own bag.

It seems you could make a case for either sport or both being safe or unsafe. Being somewhat more familiar with golf than fishing let’s tackle (that is a golf pun) that first.

Rule No. 1 is maintain social distancing. That would be right after we break through the stigma of being out doing something that isn’t an emergency or a life-sustaining practice.

Golfers will need to stop the practice of the foursome congregating on each tee and watching as each golfer hits his tee shot. That is the closest contact the four will have on each hole because everyone’s shot goes somewhere else even if they all are well-driven.

The next questionable point will be on the green. In order to limit contact with objects as well as other people, the practicing of hitting a ball into a hole will need to be stopped. Either a circle can be painted on the green or the cup could be raised above the green and any shot which hits the cup or passes through the painted hole would be considered made. No handshakes, no high-fives and no exchanging of betting dollars.

Fishing is also a basic outdoor individual sport.

There doesn’t have to be a lot of close contact. but the truth is that on opening day it is a free-for- all match in some streams. First day of trout is like the first day of deer season for hunters. There are family traditions to follow and favorite spots to cast your line.

How much contact is needed that would violate space restrictions?

Let’s first deal with the issue of stay at home unless it is an emergency. Most fish are caught and released, so we aren’t out there for food. Families are allowed to break the six-foot rule, so parents helping bait hooks or netting and releasing them is OK. Being closer than six feet would probably result in tangled lines and slapstick comedy of hooks snagging hats. So that seems OK.

So what’s the point.? Treat things more fairly.

If fishing is outdoor exercise, than so is golf. If social distancing can be practiced in a stream then it can be done just as well on a fairway.

If fishing and golf are the two most dangerous things we have to worry about then we are in better shape than I thought. Losing the bonding time is probably the biggest loss.

But honestly folks isn’t it time to look at and address the bigger picture?

There are people suffering and even dying while we argue whether to fish or cut bait. Should we go for the green or lay up with an iron? There are doctors and nurses risking their lives and the health of their families while we worry about our golf swing.

We love to be outdoors. We probably play too much golf, and if we get any worse at it, we might learn to fish instead.

But can’t it wait another month until the worst of this pandemic is gone?

Is it worth the risk of spreading it to others and putting even our own loved ones at risk?

Yes, we miss our hobbies as much as you do but we would rather miss another month of golf and fishing than be guilty of keeping this virus alive through our selfish arrogance. Please think about that. Above all else be safe . Think of the lives to be lost in the pursuit of a game or a catch.

— RV