As fly fishermen we have a responsibility
toward our quarry to ensure that they are handled in an ethical manner to
ensure their chance of survival. If you handle a fish with dry hands, keep it
out of the water for a long time and put it down on in the dirt etc. then it is
pointless to practice catch and release as the fish will probably end up dying
anyway.
If you do keep a catch or two
for the pot then it is a different story, and one to which you are entitled to
(depending on the species and relevant province's legislature) but still I
believe that the fish should be treated with respect until such a time then
when it is then administered a coup de grâce.
Here are 10 important
techniques to remember when practicing catch and release:
1. Always handle a fish
with wet hands. If you
handle a fish with dry hands you damage the protective layer of slime that it
has on it's skin. This will cause either permanent damage to the fish or death.
2. A fish should only be
kept out of the water for as long as you can hold your breath. Imagine holding your head under water for
as long as the fish is out of the water, not so much fun is it? Some people
even say 5 seconds out of the water is too long but the best practice is to not
even take the fish out of the water at all.
3. Fish barbless hooks. There is no reason not to fish
barbless hooks. Barbless hooks ensure that the fish is released quick and easy
and it causes far less damage to the fish's mouth than barbed hooks. If you
have shop bought flies tied on barbed hooks, then use a set of pliers or
forceps and pinch down the barb.
4. Use a proper catch
and release net. If you
have to use a net to land the fish make sure that it has a soft mesh without
any knots (even better are the rubber mesh nets). An improper net could damage
a fish's eyes or the protective layer of slime that it has on it's skin, which
could result either permanent damage to the fish or it's death. The best net is
no net at all. To unhook the fish whilst it is still in the water is the best
method by far.
5. Never place the fish
in the dirt, grass or on the rocks. This is not condoned and for obvious
reasons as mentioned above.
6. Don't fool around
when fighting the fish. Try to
land the fish as soon as possible. The quicker you land the fish the stronger
it will be when you release it.
7. Never throw a fish
back into the water. You
will damage the fish's internal organs which could cause either permanent
damage or death.
8. Revive the fish
completely. When
releasing the fish don't let it go until it swims away by itself. Assist the
fish by keeping it upright and letting the water pass through it's gills (in a
river keep the fish's head upstream against the current). Don't move the fish
back and forward, the fish can breathe by itself. You will feel when it is strong
enough to swim off on it's own. Remember, the quicker you land it, and the
quicker you can get it back in the water the quicker it will swim of again.
9. Don't be under gunned
when going fishing. There
is no point to be proved by going after Largemouth Yellowfish with a 3wt rod.
You will just cause unnecessary fatigue to the fish which will decrease is
chances of survival. Use recommended tackle relevant to the fish species.
10. Never lift a fish by
it's jaw or gills. This
will most definitely injure or kill the fish. Also make sure to support the
fish adequately when lifting the fish out of the water (but don't squeeze it).
Support it by placing one hand under the region of the Pectoral fin and the
other between the Tail fin and the Anal fin.
