Improve the hook in fly fishing

When something needs "strategy," it will attract fans to this field sooner or later. Fly fishing (Fish in a barrel, April 17) is such a thing.

I'm glad to see more Chinese are switching from bait fishing to fly fishing considering the abandoning of live baits can help avoid polluting the water. After reading the article, I am considering spending several thousand yuan to buy fly fishing tackles for my 65-year-old father who is a bait fishing fan. On one hand, fly fishing can force him to keep moving and keep fit; on the other, learning more knowledge about fishing "strategy" will help him kill the boring time after retirement. Knowledge such as in what depth of water different fishes live, and their preference for light and temperature will be interesting for real fishing fans.

I hope the ethical act of releasing caught fish in fly fishing will inspire bait fishing fans, therefore we won't see disappointing news such as that lakes like Shichahai have been invaded by overgrown water grass due to over-fishing and tourists are not able to boat in it.

However, I believe there is still space for fly fishing to improve, such as improving the hooks to minimize hurting the fish. Though fly fishing promotes the release of fish, the hook still causes wounds, which decreases the odds of the released fish surviving.

Li Ya, by e-mail

Don't mix pleasure and business in travel

I am exactly the kind of anti-travel freak mentioned in Every trip is a chance for workaholics (April 17), but I don't think anything is wrong with it.

Maybe some people think that those who cannot have fun on busy business trips are not shrewd but incapable, because they lack the ability to  enjoy themselves.

But what I want to suggest is don't entangle yourself any more. Work is work, travel is travel. Why are some people so greedy? They expect a free and wonderful trip on business travel and work on business projects during personal travel. Can I say such people are another kind of freak incapable of enjoying a "pure trip"?

Blend work and travel together, you will definitely miss a pure trip which is a precious experience.

On a pure trip, one can get rid of pressure from work and take off the heavy mask he or she wears in the office every day. Last but not least, one can explore another aspect of oneself on the trip.

Relax, appreciate different people's lives in different places, enjoy the blue sky and reflect on your own life.

 Maybe, you will get unexpected inspiration without the hassle of work.

Zhang Xiaojie, by e-mail