06-02-2008, 07:40 PM
[cool][font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]Hey there MacFly - just got my Fly Rod & Reel June's issue in the mail today. One of their sections is called Ask FR&R. Well apparently they were anticipating your question. Here a quote from the article:[/size][/#008000][/font]
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[font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]By Hand, or By Net?[/size][/#800000][/font]
[size 4][font "Times New Roman"][#800000]"A couple seasons ago, I stopped using a landing net because I'd heard nets harm trout. However, I still see lots of guides using them. Which is better, using a landing net or releasing the fish by hand? Also, which type of net material is best for the fish?
The jury is still out on this one, as there has been little scientific research done on the effect landing techniques and net materials have on fish mortality. Anecdotal, however, landing a trout by hand is generally considered the least-harmful technique; if you do use a landing net, consider one that's made of knot-less rubber or mesh material.
The only study we found that examined this question involved measuring the effect various net materials had on bluegills. The study found that "all net types resulted in heightened injury and mortality with the knotted mesh types being more injurious than the rubber or knot-less mesh." However, all fish landed by hand as part of the study survived with no ill effects. Dr. Cory Suski, one of the study authors, was quick to point out that the results of this study cannot be applied across all fish species and situations as there are too many variables, the most important being scale size and water temperature. Nevertheless, there are situations where nets just make sense: fishing from a boat (which is why you've seen lots of guides using them), if you're expecting to catch large fish or if you're fishing in fast water. Whether you land a trout by hand or with a knot-less net, here are a couple things to keep in mind: [/#800000][/font][/size]
[ol][li][font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]Always wet your hand or the net bag before grabbing the fish [/size][/#800000][/font][li][font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. [/size][/#800000][/font][li][font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]Release the fish as quickly as possible[/size][/#800000][/font][#500000]."[/#500000][/li][/ol]
[#800000]Author Jim Reilly[/#800000]
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[font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4][/size][/#800000][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]By Hand, or By Net?[/size][/#800000][/font]
[size 4][font "Times New Roman"][#800000]"A couple seasons ago, I stopped using a landing net because I'd heard nets harm trout. However, I still see lots of guides using them. Which is better, using a landing net or releasing the fish by hand? Also, which type of net material is best for the fish?
The jury is still out on this one, as there has been little scientific research done on the effect landing techniques and net materials have on fish mortality. Anecdotal, however, landing a trout by hand is generally considered the least-harmful technique; if you do use a landing net, consider one that's made of knot-less rubber or mesh material.
The only study we found that examined this question involved measuring the effect various net materials had on bluegills. The study found that "all net types resulted in heightened injury and mortality with the knotted mesh types being more injurious than the rubber or knot-less mesh." However, all fish landed by hand as part of the study survived with no ill effects. Dr. Cory Suski, one of the study authors, was quick to point out that the results of this study cannot be applied across all fish species and situations as there are too many variables, the most important being scale size and water temperature. Nevertheless, there are situations where nets just make sense: fishing from a boat (which is why you've seen lots of guides using them), if you're expecting to catch large fish or if you're fishing in fast water. Whether you land a trout by hand or with a knot-less net, here are a couple things to keep in mind: [/#800000][/font][/size]
[ol][li][font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]Always wet your hand or the net bag before grabbing the fish [/size][/#800000][/font][li][font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. [/size][/#800000][/font][li][font "Times New Roman"][#800000][size 4]Release the fish as quickly as possible[/size][/#800000][/font][#500000]."[/#500000][/li][/ol]
[#800000]Author Jim Reilly[/#800000]
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