[Sam F]

Practical Advice for anglers practicing Catch and Release.

http://pesqa.tumblr.com/post/101620478390/dying-for-a-photo-fish-mortality-explained

Thanks for reading and please comment and share on Facebook
Sam Franklin
Pesqa.com

 

[Sigbusa]

A well thought out explanation of keeping fish alive during catch and release. Thanks for posting.

 

[Sam F]

Thanks for the feedback Thanks

Sam ---~>*)))>{

www.pesqa.com

 

[SalmonCane]

A good reminder to all of us. I like fish pictures as much as anyone--but I do believe we need to be careful. Lately I've been watching a lot of videos on YouTube, particularly some promo stuff from lodges, but also from individual anglers, where they just hold the fish for endless amounts of time--sometimes it's hard to watch the fish just gasping. I hate to think how many of them don't make it.

On Poppy's forum, he prohibits "hero shots" of fish out of the water. I applaud him for taking that approach.

 

[Rustybee]

Thanks for sharing the link. All of the fish photos I own were shot before I was educated about the potential harm it could do to the fish. I have personally taken the position that no pictures are worth the welfare of a fish if the intention is to C&R. Hence I've almost no pictures from recent adventures but do sleep better knowing that the fishes I've caught might live to encounter another lucky angler.

 

[theCC]

Here it comes...wait for it...

NEVER ought that fish come out of the water...EVER

 

[Heero]

What if I want to eat it? Ill take it out then.

 

[Sam F]

I think that is a very separate question, I personally have no issue with catch and kill, i do however have an opinion that if we intend to release a fish there should be a conversation on how best to do that.
Sam

 

[Seabird]

Excellent article, Sam. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Rick J]

just food for thought about non mortal results of poor fish fighting and handling techniques.

I recently met John McMillan (son of Bill) at a Trout Unlimited CA State Meeting. He has joined TU who will be starting a Wild Steelhead Initiative Program. John has a wealth of information much of it related to Atlantics where there is much more and longer research information. But a couple of comments of interest he made based on past studies (paraphrased and perhaps not totally accurately but you get the message). Holding a fish out of water for as little as 10 seconds can reduce the number of fish produced by this fish by as much as 35%

It can take a fish as long as 24 to 48 hours to fully recover from the fight after it is released. during this period, the fish is significantly more vulnerable to predators.

so just because a fish doesn't go belly up does not mean that there are not serious consequences that happen.

 

[middlecalf]

Hey Rick - wrt to the WS Initiative Program "starting" by TU, is that separate from the Wild Steelhead Coalition? If so (notice that yours and my reference to the WSC created a link to such) why dilute the pot, shouldn't they join up with the WSC?

I don't carry a camera anymore (this forum has helped me get religion), even my phone, when on the river (it's nearby though in case of emergency). And if with a friend, they can keep their same in their pocket if I'm lucky enough to hook up, C&R or not. I don't need pics of dead fish that I'm going to eat. And if I have to use a pic to prove that I caught a steelhead on a fly rod, then I'll take up quilting.

A very well known guide service on the Salmon River (ID) has a pic on their website of a first time steelhead catcher holding a wild (unclipped) fish high out of the water, probably in the boat, and probably after hooking with bait and/or a treble hook on a plug. A bad learning lesson for this person, and shows a lot of learning still needed for those that should know better. I don't care that the Salmon River is predominantly a hatchery harvest river either.

 

[clarkii]

The author is making statements about something withough backing it up with references or data supporting the statements.

The major one that gets me is the pressure on the heart causing damage. I do not know of any paper stating such, or examining grips and the difference.

He also doesnt reference the hook location and lure type. Is the one he is basing the statement on about mortality im steelhead trout, northern pike, arapeima?

Needs to reference. Otherwise its an opinion.

 

[Seabird]

Sam, the link to your article has gone dead.

 

[Sam F]

Hey Guys,
I removed the post for a couple of days/week.
We are taking on board the comments and trying build a better document, we will repost once we have tightened up the particulars. This subject is a bit of a mine field and we are trying to make a positive impact on how fish are handled so its gotta be perfect.
'Keep them wet'
Cheers
Sam
www.pesqa.com