C&R - something to be careful about

[Salarex]

Interesting article about steelhead, applies very much to us as well, I think, and a very good warning.

I am pissed off enough at having to release a fish I have caught, so I certainly don't want it dieing on me after I have actually released it!

http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/steel...-even-know-it/

[steelheadnut]

Interesting article about steelhead, applies very much to us as well, I think, and a very good warning.

I am pissed off enough at having to release a fish I have caught, so I certainly don't want it dieing on me after I have actually released it!

http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/steel...-even-know-it/

Why would you be "pissed off" at releasing a fish you've caught?
It's that kind of comment that will bring compulsory C&R of ALL fish to our rivers.
At the moment there are but a few, but saddly the list will grow.
If it bothers people having to return fish then I would advise them to take they're hard earned money and buy the fish from the local superstore or fishmongers instead of using the funds to purchase permits.
Should get quite a few fish, enough to satisfy any ones needs.
You have to ask yourself what you want out of fishing and why you spend all those hours and money on fishing.
Myself, well it's ALL about the hookup and playing of the fish, it's about the adrenalin rush if you like. Once in the net it's all over, so why kill it, and finances permitting I will travel thousands of miles for that rush if I have to. U.K. rivers for Salmo Salar and Sewin, B.C. mostly for the Steelhead, and I hope that all my fish have been treated with the care and the respect they deserve.
There is this "thing" with people in the U.K. (especially in my neck of the woods) that they have to justify the cost of permits and licences, well isn't that adrenalin rush worth the cost.
Most clubs/associations have restrictions on takeable fish these days, therefore we have to return most of what we bring to the net.

All is needed is carefull netting and unhooking practices, not draging them halfway up the gravel/banks in order to have the customary pics. taken holding them up in mid air before releasing them (a few minutes later) in some cases.

Get them in the landing net while they have enough water under them, and release them in the water, there is no need to lift them out in most cases. There will be a few that have to be unhooked out of the water, do this using a wet glove or rag/towel and everything should be ok.

There we go again, ranting first thing in the morning.

Cap

[aaron]

Nice short C&R film here http://vimeo.com/64555535 and it's always good to see a lady angler.....

[twmtwm]

For sure,a clubbed fish doesnt spawn,if it's handled properly there isn't a problem.Having caught and helped with broodstock collection I know this for a fact.If we as angelers don't look after them nobody else will,it's down to us to make sure they're there for future generations!

[Salarex]

Cap, we all fish for a variety of reasons, and I gave up coarse fishing a very long time ago. For me a great deal of the attraction of game fishing is being able to eat what I have caught.

This is not a question of cost, but of an entire experience. I like to stalk, catch, kill, clean, cook and eat it. Myself.

I don't want to sell my fish - hell, I don't want anyone else to eat it! I might share it at a dinner party but still begrudge it!

NO objection to C&R and totally understand that it is required. But it does reduce the incentive for me personally to go fishing.

[phl]

I'm with Salarex on this one. We're not all the same, and for some of us the opportunity to take a fish home now and again is a key element of the satisfaction we get from fishing. Of course, we need to balance this with the need for conservation of fish stocks, but if I were never able to kill a fish to eat, much of the pleasure of fishing would be lost for me.

Paul