Experience Use History, Place Bonding and Resource Substitution of Trout Anglers During Recreation Engagements

Experience use history (EUH) was hypothesized to be linked to recreational place bonding and resource substitution behavior. Trout anglers (n = 203) of two Trout Unlimited chapters were surveyed (response rate = 71%) for EUH, place bonding, and resource substitution. Four classifications (Beginners, Visitors, Locals, and Veterans) of EUH were formed, a 26-item scale was rated to form five dimensions of place bonding (Familiarity, Belongingness, Identity, Dependence, and Rootedness), and number of alternative equivalent streams recorded as resource substitutes. The EUH classifications were shown to be linked to different types and degree of place bonding, and to a lesser degree, with substitution behavior among trout anglers. Veterans and Locals had higher degrees of place bonding, while Veterans and Visitors had the highest degree of substitution behavior.