I don't think it's any of these things.
It's a cultural/contextual divide. If someone from Europe or Australia visits Canada and they get a meal at the restaurant and don't tip, is it because they don't respect/care about the waiter? No, it's because they are used to a different set of values and consider different things to be culturally appropriate. The same thing is happening here.
I'm not really buying the financial argument either. Even if you go somewhere that is an hour's drive away, you are likely spending at least 20$ bare minimum on gas. So even ignoring the cost of a licence, tackle and equipment, the cost of the trip could get you several pounds of fish at the supermarket.
I only skimmed through this thread so sorry if this has been mentioned, but some people/cultures actually find it offensive/inappropriate to catch and release edible fish. This concept shouldn't be hard to understand. I am sure the hunters on this forum would be disgusted if I suggested that if you like to hunt but don't eat much meat, you should hunt with a tranquillizer gun, then take the picture while the animal is tranquillized, then go home, letting the animal get back to roaming shortly. To some people, C&R is the same.