Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in its wake, and the recovery process has created some unexpected tensions within the fishing community. I’ve noticed a surge of hostility in online fishing groups as people discuss the impact of the storm on popular fishing areas, especially in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Anglers are asking what they feel are innocent questions about when certain rivers will be fishable again or if they should keep their vacation rentals. These inquiries have been met with a barrage of angry responses, ranging from outright insults to accusations of insensitivity.
I understand both sides of the argument. On one hand, it’s understandable to be upset when it appears people are prioritizing fishing over the immediate needs of those affected by the disaster. On the other hand, it’s important to remember that many communities rely on tourism for their livelihoods.
The question remains: how do we balance our desire to enjoy the outdoors with the need to respect the affected communities? While it’s prudent to avoid areas with severe damage, supporting communities that are recovering can be a positive force.
It’s a complex situation with no easy answers. But I hope that we can all be more understanding and compassionate towards each other, especially in the aftermath of such a devastating event.
Postscript: Overall, there is far more good taking place than bad right now. The Southern Appalachians are resilient and the outpouring of support from inside and out has been amazing. My intent was not to gloss over the awesomeness and only highlight the unpleasant. While it’s easy to dismiss the above as just ugly online banter, it still really sucks to see people fighting with each other, and it’s even worse under these circumstances.