Wild Steelhead Handling and Release

[Mike Carey]

JJ, please post links to any reports on this site that have pictures of wild steelhead being held out of the water. We have made it very clear and immediately pull any reports that have illegal fishing activities. Which, if you ever posted a report, you would know as it is clearly indicated on the report form.

Meanwhile, I watch all the wild fish on all the Facebook fishing groups being held up high in the air, and not once have I seen you post a comment on those sites. I understand its easy to hide on the Internet behind anonymous handles. I challenge you to join those fishing groups and start publicly calling people out with your actual name and face for all to see. If you really care for the fish then show it, instead of posting on this site about images that don't exist. Meanwhile, as I said, lets see the links on this site of guys holding wild fish out of the water, or other infractions. And don't use the excuse "it was there but was pulled", because thats exactly how its supposed to work, its called site moderation.

BTW, could you post a picture of yourself demonstrating proper fish handling? Thanks.

[jd39]

When handling a fish for release please make sure your hands are wet. Fish slime sticks to dry hands more then wet hands, the guy in that photo appears to have dry hands, especially the tail hand. Fish slime serves a purpose and is important to fish survival, i dont remember that being addressed in the article. Forget where i heard/read this but thought it should be mentioned. Not the biggest handling no, no in that picture obviously.
I make no claim I've handled every fish i've released perfectly but am trying to do better.

[jumpinjim]

jd39: Good point about the wet hands, I learned that Tip from Skagit510 a few years back when I started getting serious and needing to tap into the knowledge of experts. Another thing, avoid touching the fish on your clothes or waders. I know it is hard to resist the urge to play air guitar with that chromer, but try for the sake of the fish.



At Mike Carey: I stopped taking photos of my fish these days unless for some reason the opportunity presents it self really well. Recently I landed my personal best native king on a swung fly in a river where it was legal to retain them. I chose not to because we did not need the food. Even then as I made the release my dad was yelling slow down let me get a photo, it turned out terrible because taking photos is not my goal. I do however have the terrible feeling that you are not interested in these stories of lore. So how about this.



14" legal to retain that I chose not to keep from 2011 when I was starting to get back into fishing. This is really weak!!! And it is mine to own!!! I don't need to hide and act like I never made poor choices, we all do and hopefully we learn. Now a days I would not take a photo with a fish hanging from a hook. Not just poor form or bad for the fish, it is a bad example too. I would try to leave it in the water and release it the way that ensures the highest chance of survival for the fish. This applies to all fish I want to release. Now I consider any fish the opportunity to get better at releases for that rare chance I will need to be the best I can be for a native steelhead.

Too keep this conversation on track somewhat, another tip not mentioned is not to touch near the gil plate of the fish and certainly not in the gills. The oil from our hands affects the fishes ability to pull oxygenated water through it's gills. So don't do it like this.

[Mike Carey]

Sigh, I should know better, trolled by a troll. Hey, I'll bite... so the site is dammed if a report is posted with a pic, and damned if it's removed. Nice position to be stuck in.