NGTO
02-02-99, 11:30 PM
I got an excellent email today from an NGTO member who had observed another angler at a DH stream practicing a less-then adequate method of C&R. As this person metioned the angler was probably trying to do the right thing just didn't know how....The suggestion was that perhaps we create some type of flyer that would be downloadable on NGTO. you could then print it out and do with it what you like, whether it be handing to a friend, fellow angler, etc.... If it is presented right, I don't think most anglers would view it as an insult to receive one? What are your thoughts and how might we word a flyer like this, here are some samples:
Never handle fish with dry hands. Dry hands take away a protective coating on the fish. The fish will be more likely to get a fungus or deadly infection.
2.NEVER put your fingers in the fish's gills. A fish needs his gills to "breathe"
since they get oxygen from the water. By handling his gills you can damage
them or cause an infection.
3.Remove the hook as gently as possible.
The fish will appreciate it. Use a pliers or our fingers to take the hook out of
its lips. If the hook has been swallowed or is very deep, cut the line as close
to the lips as possible. The hook will eventually rust and the fish will probably
survive. One reason many fishing pros do not like to use stainless steel is that
it will not rust away.
4.Revive the fish by holding it gently, and moving it gently forward and back in
the water to circulate water in the gills.
Current thinking is that the best way to do this by the“airless” methods: i.e., don’t lift the fish out of the water.
Moderation in catch and release also helps. Limit your catch and release to a number per day.
We recommend the following steps:
Time is critical. Don’t overtire the fish.
Be gentle and quick. Use thumb and index finger to grasp lower jaw, while holding the fish under water to release hook.
Keep fingers out of gill area. Delicate internal organs need the water cushion. Internal organs can be ruptured easily when handled. Gravity forces acting on a fish while it’s out of the water can be harmful.
Use hemostats to remove barbless hooks.
Revive an exhausted fish be holding upright, pointing upstream to force water through gills until the fish starts to struggle strongly.
Slack in your line may allow a trout to free itself, making it unnecessary for you to handle it.
The mortality of trout held out of the water for mere 15 to 20 seconds is 87 percent. Mortality of properly release trout is
ess than three percent. Let’s do our job!
PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE!!!
1. Try to land the fish as quick as possible. The longer that you fight a fish the more lactic acid builds up in the fish, making it harder to revive.
2. Most fish die from improper handling. It is best to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. When a fish is taken from the water it immediately begins to
suffocate. Do not allow a fish to flop around on the bank or squeeze the fish to hard. Handle the fish with wet hands only! Dry hands will destroy the protective "slime"
on fish.
3. If the hook is hard to remove, simply leave it in the fish. A hook left in the fish will dissolve within a few days.
4. When releasing a fish, face it upstream moving it back and forth. Do not let it go on its first attempt, make sure it has its equilibrium back.
THIS WAS TAKEN FROM AN EXCELLENT BOOK
"LAKE FISHING WITH A FLY"
BY RON CORDES AND RANDALL KAUFMAN
"An angler was walking back to his car after spending a very productive day fishing a famous lake. The lake is not very large as lakes go and while it is reasonably
isolated a great many anglers take advantage of the fine fishing it offers. Its waters are not stocked and its wild fish are protected with a no-kill, barbless hook
regulation.
As the angler walked through the check gate he asked why he could not keep just one fish to eat. The gate attendant related some facts most anglers fail to
consider. The lake supports about 4,000 fish which seems to be a healthy number as the fish are in excellent condition and food sources do not seem to be declining.
This season over 2,000 angler days will be tallied. If each angler kept just one fish what would the fishing be like next year or the year after?
Lack of fishing pressure in conjunction with suitable habitat is what allows any water to provide outstanding angling. In waters where a "kill" is allowed, wild fish
cannot populate to their maximum density and size. You cannot eat them today and expect to catch them tomorrow - certainly not the larger, more exciting and
challenging fish.
There are many waters throughout the country which could provide unbelievable angling if they had less harvest management and more protection. Nearly every
water in the country is open to the catch and kill, factory fish philosophy. Perhaps a few more waters which are able to sustain populations of fish without the hatchery
truck should be protected. Many such waters come to mind where, instead of catching hatchery fish, we could be releasing three to six pound trout on a consistent
basis. Why plant expensive and inferior hatchery trout when nature will provide them at no cost?"
Never handle fish with dry hands. Dry hands take away a protective coating on the fish. The fish will be more likely to get a fungus or deadly infection.
2.NEVER put your fingers in the fish's gills. A fish needs his gills to "breathe"
since they get oxygen from the water. By handling his gills you can damage
them or cause an infection.
3.Remove the hook as gently as possible.
The fish will appreciate it. Use a pliers or our fingers to take the hook out of
its lips. If the hook has been swallowed or is very deep, cut the line as close
to the lips as possible. The hook will eventually rust and the fish will probably
survive. One reason many fishing pros do not like to use stainless steel is that
it will not rust away.
4.Revive the fish by holding it gently, and moving it gently forward and back in
the water to circulate water in the gills.
Current thinking is that the best way to do this by the“airless” methods: i.e., don’t lift the fish out of the water.
Moderation in catch and release also helps. Limit your catch and release to a number per day.
We recommend the following steps:
Time is critical. Don’t overtire the fish.
Be gentle and quick. Use thumb and index finger to grasp lower jaw, while holding the fish under water to release hook.
Keep fingers out of gill area. Delicate internal organs need the water cushion. Internal organs can be ruptured easily when handled. Gravity forces acting on a fish while it’s out of the water can be harmful.
Use hemostats to remove barbless hooks.
Revive an exhausted fish be holding upright, pointing upstream to force water through gills until the fish starts to struggle strongly.
Slack in your line may allow a trout to free itself, making it unnecessary for you to handle it.
The mortality of trout held out of the water for mere 15 to 20 seconds is 87 percent. Mortality of properly release trout is
ess than three percent. Let’s do our job!
PLEASE PRACTICE CATCH AND RELEASE!!!
1. Try to land the fish as quick as possible. The longer that you fight a fish the more lactic acid builds up in the fish, making it harder to revive.
2. Most fish die from improper handling. It is best to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. When a fish is taken from the water it immediately begins to
suffocate. Do not allow a fish to flop around on the bank or squeeze the fish to hard. Handle the fish with wet hands only! Dry hands will destroy the protective "slime"
on fish.
3. If the hook is hard to remove, simply leave it in the fish. A hook left in the fish will dissolve within a few days.
4. When releasing a fish, face it upstream moving it back and forth. Do not let it go on its first attempt, make sure it has its equilibrium back.
THIS WAS TAKEN FROM AN EXCELLENT BOOK
"LAKE FISHING WITH A FLY"
BY RON CORDES AND RANDALL KAUFMAN
"An angler was walking back to his car after spending a very productive day fishing a famous lake. The lake is not very large as lakes go and while it is reasonably
isolated a great many anglers take advantage of the fine fishing it offers. Its waters are not stocked and its wild fish are protected with a no-kill, barbless hook
regulation.
As the angler walked through the check gate he asked why he could not keep just one fish to eat. The gate attendant related some facts most anglers fail to
consider. The lake supports about 4,000 fish which seems to be a healthy number as the fish are in excellent condition and food sources do not seem to be declining.
This season over 2,000 angler days will be tallied. If each angler kept just one fish what would the fishing be like next year or the year after?
Lack of fishing pressure in conjunction with suitable habitat is what allows any water to provide outstanding angling. In waters where a "kill" is allowed, wild fish
cannot populate to their maximum density and size. You cannot eat them today and expect to catch them tomorrow - certainly not the larger, more exciting and
challenging fish.
There are many waters throughout the country which could provide unbelievable angling if they had less harvest management and more protection. Nearly every
water in the country is open to the catch and kill, factory fish philosophy. Perhaps a few more waters which are able to sustain populations of fish without the hatchery
truck should be protected. Many such waters come to mind where, instead of catching hatchery fish, we could be releasing three to six pound trout on a consistent
basis. Why plant expensive and inferior hatchery trout when nature will provide them at no cost?"