I was on youtube a little while back and was scanning some fly fishing videos when I came across this particular one. I was surprised at how long the fish were held out of the water and tried to make a kindly, yet helpful, comment on the length of time the fish was out of the water.
I was under the impression that it can greatly reduce the survivability of the fish, but I may be mistaken on the real effects this action may have. I was wondering if anyone could share studies they have found. I browsed a bit trying to find some studies supporting proper catch and release techniques, but I couldn't find anything. I just wanted to check if I was out of line in my suggestion because apparently I'm not supposed to judge if I'm not on location(according to the poster of the video).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0woCO0UK8w
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there was a good conversation about this a while back and someone posted a point that has realy stuck with me. Hold your breath and if you are out of breath the fish probly is.
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Better yet, tie a rope to your mouth and run against it as hard as you can for 5 or 10 minutes then hold your breath. That would be a little more the case for the fish.
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Man, you ain't lyin' That is just stupid, but I think people get caught up and don't even realize they are doing it. But, that come back was lame.
I have tried the old run like H&^% then try and hold your breath.
He did make mention on 1X tippet and quick lands which does help.
It's the ones that use way small gear and play the fish for long periods that are killing them.
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The more you are able to keep the fish in the water the better it's chance of survival period. As a white meat fish (pretty much anything other than tuna) fights, it builds up lactic acid in its muscles from fermentation as respiration is outstripped by oxygen demand. This is exacerbated by bringing fish out of the water when absolutely no oxygen can be absorbed. The problem is even further complicated when water temperatures climb into the mid to high 60's as water loses its capability to hold dissolved oxygen at higher temperatures.
Plain and simple, there's really no reason to bring a fish out of the water other than to snap a quick picture. If I take several pictures, I always give the fish a break in to water in between. Other than that, I fish with a big wide bottomed net that forms the perfect place for a fish to rest in the water while I get the fish unhooked. This allows me to perform the whole operation without the fish leaving the water or even being touched. As others have already said, put yourself in the trout's place. If you'd be uncomfortable putting your head under the water for as long as you hold the fish out of water than it's too long.
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There's just a whole lot of stuff out there to support that increased time out of water, increased stress, etc. lowers the survivability of a to be released fish. For primary research stuff, a few of the front line researchers are:
Cory Suski
Andy Danylchuk
Rudy Lukocovic
and a whole bunch more
[font "Calibri"]A list of Cory Suski's primary research articles can be found here:[/font]
[url "http://fishlab.nres.uiuc.edu/Publications.html"][#800080]http://fishlab.nres.uiuc.edu/Publications.html[/#800080][/url]
A good readable summary of information found by Cory Suski's research can be found here:
[url "http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070927164432.htm"]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070927164432.htm[/url]
I think this Science Daily article summarizes it pretty good and is based upon the primary research.
A good basic outline for C&R guidelines based on actual research can be found here:
[font "Calibri"][url "http://www.suite101.com/content/proper-catch-and-release-improves-survival-of-released-fish-a296042"]http://www.suite101.com/content/proper-catch-and-release-improves-survival-of-released-fish-a296042[/url][/font]
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Now that the winter months are here and there is snow on the riverbanks and many of our lakes have a fishable layer of ice I'd like to share another proper release tip that I have learned from a very prominent idaho steelheader. If you plan on releasing fish do not let the sit in the snow for pics or unhooking if you can help it. Letting a fish sit in the snow is extremely bad for fish that are going to be released.
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Steelheadkid, the best thing you could do is use a 5 weight fly rod for 14 pound B Runs and fight them for 15 to 30 minutes, then drag them across the rocks (while wearing waders that would allow you to wade out and release them in deeper water), then hold the fish out of water for a minute or two for pictures. That is how you should release a fish... 1 out of 20 will live to spawn. That's pretty good odds right?
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I actually wrote that down so I can remember[
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Of course, MOST that choose light gear do loose fish too...which is poetic justice.
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[quote Mojo1]Steelheadkid, the best thing you could do is use a 5 weight fly rod for 14 pound B Runs and fight them for 15 to 30 minutes, then drag them across the rocks (while wearing waders that would allow you to wade out and release them in deeper water), then hold the fish out of water for a minute or two for pictures. That is how you should release a fish... 1 out of 20 will live to spawn. That's pretty good odds right?[/quote]
I think we have finally come to the conclusion that some of the members of this site arent very conservation minded and they will continue flogging prespawn boots with 5wts.......
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Ive come to the conclusion that there are some members on this forumthat need to stop looking down the end of their nose at everybody. the point of this forum is to have fun talk to each other not deliberately go out of your way to make snide remarks and belittle members. i believe i already said something about this on the other topic that i created. i would really appreciate it if we could all put the whole steelhead on too small of a rod conversation behind us. mojo, fly goddess, and steelhead kid i am sorry you dont agree with it but people do it and some dont view it as wrong and i am not gonna sit back and watch other members be chased away simply because you dont agree with the rod or pole he or she is using.
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I was under the impression that a forum was also opened to both opinions.
I would prefer the FACTS myself.
If I am out of line in looking for that then I will look elsewhere.
I don't feel I was out of line with any of my answers and I was not looking down or judging anyone.
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People such as myself and mojo are far from people that look down our noses at others.......... Mojo as well as myself are VERY passionate about steelhead especially Idaho's steelhead. I am not trying to belittle anyone in fact all I am trying to do is educate those that might not be as informed as I on using the most ethical angling practices to protect this wonderful resource. Just because something is legal in the eyes of F&G does not make it ethical.......
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do you think you could us a little more constructive criticism to do it. like i said you always pop off with snide remarks and put downs and sorry if you dont feel like thats what you are doing but that is how i and quite a few other members view it. idaho's resources are important to all of us on this board especially steelhead and salmon it seems that you both come off as thinking the rest of the board doesnt care about them and nothing could be further from the truth.
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yes fly goddess the forum is open to both sides of an argument no matter the view points as long as it is kept civil. but the way certain things are being said and being brought up on other posts just to ridicule the people who did the thing that was viewed wrong (not so much you as it was others) because of your ethics. ethics are opinions about right and wrong. every bodies varies and we should all respect that.
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agreed cj...some of these guys act like steelhead are as tough as planter 'bows. they are very very tough fish ! i don't ever remember seeing a steelhead belly up floating past me. maybe i am to much of a redneck but i am not to touchy feely with any fish. i believe they were put here for us not vice versa. but to each his own
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People define themselves by their actions. Those that fish ethically define themselves as such. Those that don't fish ethically do the same. I don't care if you all define yourselves as ethical anglers using gear that is not appropriate for the prey or conditions, everyone else know the deal. I have seen dead fish in the SFC, many times. I counted 11 one day at Stites. I have also seen fish dragged up on the rocks, snagged in the anal fin with one of 4 trebels on the same leader. Those guys had no problems with what they were doing either.
I prefer my fish to not be pre-smoked, and hooked in the mouth when they bit the lure. I'm out of here, I'll associate with ethical skilled anglers that don't feel the need to fish holes full of kegged up boot fish.
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[quote hulapopper]agreed cj...some of these guys act like steelhead are as tough as planter 'bows. they are very very tough fish ! i don't ever remember seeing a steelhead belly up floating past me. maybe i am to much of a redneck but i am not to touchy feely with any fish. i believe they were put here for us not vice versa. but to each his own[/quote]
Hopefully through education and discussions about raising ethical behavior we can change an opinion.
![[Image: scaredworried.gif]](http://www.bigfishtackle.com/images/gforum/scaredworried.gif)
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Education and discussions are fine and can change opinions but snide remarks will never get the job done.
If we can keep the discussion on an educational level, it will open the minds and actually teach. That is what needs to be done in this case.
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