Catch and Release Tips and Responsibilities
In this day and age of high tech equipment, successful techniques, easy to find information, and heavy angler pressure, no one can argue the necessity of catch and release regulations or personal release ethics for trout (steelhead, salmon etc.). Let's face it, there are a lot more anglers out there with the ability to catch a lot of fish most days. It is the responsibility of all anglers who catch and release fish, to know some important guidelines and to take proper care of their catch and release quarry.
Hooks
Proper catch and release starts with the hook. Use the smallest hook you can, based on the fly and presentation. In most situations, going barbless is both the ethical and logical choice for minimal damage to your catch.
Lines and Angles
I am a fanatic about using premium tippet that is strong enough to land fish in a reasonable amount of time. There are also some simple tricks such as holding your rod low and using angles and current to quickly work in a fish. Once the hooking, running and jumping have stopped, pull from a lateral or downstream position whenever possible. This will probably mean that you will have to move downstream with the fish. Pulling a fish into the current (from a position upstream of the fish) allows the fish to rest, lengthens the battle and ads to stress on the fish.
Nets
Improper (cheap nylon) nets cause major damage to fish. I cringe when I see anglers using them. I have seen a number of large rainbows with abraded skin and/or missing large patches of scales after capture and release from nylon nets. These fish will likely suffer delayed mortality from bacterial infection. At the very least, they do not look good for pictures. Nylon nets are for catch and kill fishing only.
The typical specialty trout nets with soft bags are much better, but fish often are tangled and sometimes tear the hook from their mouths in these nets. Worse, sometimes the fish get the point of the hook in the net and become sutured to it. This leads to mouth damages at the very least and is no fun to deal with. Use these nets with some caution.
I am pro "rubber" net when it comes to catch and release in most situations. While there are some scenarios where I will hand land fish (fishing alone mostly), a net is generally preferred. The first reason is time. It is much faster to get a large fish into a net from deeper water than it is to play it out and pull it to shore. The second is that beaching a fish can lead to injury if it thrashes on rocks or dry shore. The net itself becomes a safe refuge for the fishes' recovery and release. The fish is contained and supported. The hook can be carefully removed and if a picture is to be taken, the fish can remain in the net and in the water until the photographer is ready.
Small fish are also easily landed with a net. I often see anglers hanging smaller fish from the hook while the fish twists and tears itself free. Let them twist in the net, be ready to quickly, and carefully remove the hook when they pause. Carefully release the little guys, because they are our future big fish.
Handling Fish
Keep your handling to a minimum. Do not use dry hands. Get wet. Support your fish. A firm grip around the wrist of the tail safely subdues most fish. Turning fish upside down is usually a good technique to keep them still. This will also put your contact point on the back (muscle) instead of the belly (organs). Avoid squeezing the belly. Imagine someone sitting on you after a big meal. Keep fingers clear of the gills and do not lift a fish by the head.
Unhooking Fish
I am continually dismayed by the mouth damage I see in many fish. The good news is that some fish are apparently surviving some poor handling, but it is just not right to leave them in such poor shape. It is the responsibility of all catch and release anglers to leave as little evidence as possible on our fish. Who wants to catch a beautiful trout with a torn up mouth.
I believe there are several factors leading to major mouth damage. One is using large hooks. Another is using barbed hooks. The third is tearing the hook free. In a perfect scenario, a small barbless hook lands the fish and is carefully backed out from the point of capture. Even a larger hook can be backed out with minimal damage. I feel the real problem is when anglers are in a hurry to release their fish. They simply hold the hook with pliers and either shake or let the fish twist off. This typically leads to a very poor release with mouth or even spine damaged fish. Fish need to be supported in a wet careful hand or net and the hook must be backed out, not twisted. Imagine unhooking yourself and you will get the picture. Have a little patience and care.
Note: Some of the new catch and release tools are excellent in skilled hands, but can still cause damage when used improperly.
Holding Fish for pictures
After a long fight, give the fish a chance to breathe before taking pictures. Imagine holding your breath after running hard. Make sure the fish is facing upstream and has enough water to cover its head. Start with a firm grip around the wrist of the tail (in front of the tail fin). Slide your other hand from the mid belly to the pectoral fins (behind fins and gill covers). Support, but do not squeeze the belly behind the fins. Straighten the fish and gently lift it. If you twist the fish, bend the fish or flex your grip, chances are your catch will try to escape. If your attempt at a photo fails, let the fish back into the net and give it a chance to breathe. If you must take a picture of a fish in the boat, then you need to have help to get it done safely. Have a partner hold the net under your fish while you carefully lift it for the picture. If you bobble the hold, the net will catch and support the fish and keep it from banging in your boat. If you cannot do that, then hold it over the water. Some fish just do not want to be held and will be injured if you try. Take your best picture in the water or in the net and let your fish swim.
The Release
It is good to release fish quickly, but not if it means ripping the hooks out or tossing a tired fish into moving water. Fish need to be facing upstream and released into water that is calm enough for them to rest and recuperate if needed. This is usually easy to do when fishing from a bank. Releasing fish from a boat in moving water poses some problems. If the fish is tired and/or released upside down (rainbows especially) or facing downstream, it may drown. The fish must be able to regain its equilibrium and maintain itself facing upstream. I move to shore to release big fish whenever possible. If the fish is to be released from a drifting boat, the angler should support the fish facing upstream and wait until it swims away, ideally into moderate flows. I have sadly watched many times as excited anglers battle fish, hold them out of the water for an extended time for pictures and then toss them back into heavy current. Survival in this scenario is grim.
Release Done Right!
Catching trout, especially big ones, is a great experience and a fanatical passion for many anglers. It is the responsibility of anglers in catch and release fisheries to take care of our fish, so that we can all continue to enjoy the thrills they provide. It is truly a great feeling to catch a pristine wild fish and to carefully release it.
Tight Lines and Screaming Reels,
Fred Telleen
Please Note: While I can't claim to be an expert on fish biology, I have learned and observed from handling thousands of trout and witnessing many catch and release events. I have also done some fieldwork and had discussions with real fisheries biologists. I welcome feedback on this or any other fishing topic.
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