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Proper Fish Handling + Photography


With the pending warmer weather and the trout opener I expect we will see a spate of wonderful fishing reports--sharing with members and guests alike the results (and perhaps, the techniques and methods) of our pursuit of Mykiss . Of course our excitement and jubilation of having sparred with nature and come out as victor (sometimes) also involves the sharing of photos of this august fish. And it is precisely this aspect of our reports that is of some concern--there is a reason why we oftentimes call Mykiss the "August Fish." Whether the nobility of salar, the painterly markings of the brook trout, or, indeed the bright chrome, small headed, thick-bodied torpedo that tests our terminal tackle, these fish are "stately" and should be respected and treated as such.

Of course I am admittedly (as many others here) a conservationist without apology and do not expect everyone to necessarily subscribe to my brand of "sustainability." I do however take very seriously the manner in which we handle and treat fish...in particular the oblivious disregard for the general well-being of these fish for the sake of a photograph. (SEE Part I: the Ministry Guideline to Proper Fish Handling.)

Please know that we love a good story and one with pictures even more, however please ensure that fish are ALWAYS photographed in the water or very near to it so as to mitigate stress to the fish.

This represents only THIS anglers' opinion and not board policy...I should prefer not to see pictures of beached fish...

jmo

good hunting
cc
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77 Comments

Note to self - avoid glamour shots.

 

 

As someone new to fishing, I've made my mistakes in handling fish (see my avatar).  For a novice it's pretty exciting to pull in something big, soon they all start to look the same and the photo ops aren't as frequent. 

 

I've done some reading on handling fish, and how long to keep them out of the water.  Don't realize how sensitive these creatures are until you read up on it.

 

Still struggling with hook removal at times, trying to do the least amount of damage as possible.  All the things you learn with experience.

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We've all been there before dude. My first trout flopped around in the mud and swam off looking like a catfish with my hands shaking from the excitement. But it is best to keep the fishes welfare in mind. There are also more acceptable practices compared to others. Bass guys vertically hold fish and no one says a thing but hold a trout or muskie like that and be prepared to be punished by the long arm of the internet law. In fact its probably really bad holding any fish like that because they aren't designed to be... wel... held like that. Anyways - that's why the forums exist - knowledge really is power. Welcome to the world of online fishing forms :)
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So no more colourised "glamour" shots of the thousand dollar reel and hand made rod with a beached trout gasping for air laying in the dirt in front of it....? :cry:

Agree with you!

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LOL.......Great post!

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Spammy

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Great article. Always wondered guys putting rod in there mouth then taking picture of fish. Think it would be great to see put hook in your mouth and let fish take picture. Just saying to each there own
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1 shot would be enough. Saw a dude hold pike by the gill plate and do multiple shots...and even passersby were taking shots with him holding fish...he was a star....

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Attached Image: IMG_1194.PNG
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I'm sure it swam away just fine...

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I saw it on IG.  He said his biggest steelhead at 16lbs out in BC

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yea, that fish isn't going anywhere except to his frezer

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tossing iron
Jan 26 2017 03:40 PM

yea, that fish isn't going anywhere except to his frezer

Your a fisherman.
Why the hell would it go into a freezer
Pic, release ,case closed.
FUTURE what counts.
Let your beautiful daughter catch it one day.
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tossing iron
Jan 26 2017 04:02 PM
Caught a steel close to 20 guestimate.
Late 70s.
Thought it was a Chinook. Lol
Admired and released.
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tossing iron, 20 lbr's go straight to the smoker if they can't swim on their own.

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tossing iron
Jan 26 2017 05:00 PM
Ha ha
Sadly seems that way.
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Your a fisherman.
Why the hell would it go into a freezer
Pic, release ,case closed.
FUTURE what counts.
Let your beautiful daughter catch it one day.

 

you didn't see the fishes gills hanging out?

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tossing iron
Jan 27 2017 09:03 PM
Sorry FF. I see a couple drops past the gills. But I see a lot more blood on the lower jaw. Releaseable fish to me.
Ha ha oops. My bad. Getting blind with age.
I apologize FF.
Just noticed gill removal on 7 th view.
Oh boy.
Again my apologies.
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Sorry FF. I see a couple drops past the gills. But I see a lot more blood on the lower jaw. Releaseable fish to me.
Ha ha oops. My bad. Getting blind with age.
I apologize FF.
Just noticed gill removal on 7 th view.
Oh boy.
Again my apologies.

 

 

no worries, little blood, it happens, i mean you just stuck a sharp object into flesh, its going to bleed. salmon tend to bleed quite a bit out on the lake, but 100% healthy and strong to swim away

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The best fish handling is to keep a fish in the water as much as possible. ... handle them in the water, remove hooks, snap a photo, let 'em go.

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Fry them in butter on a plate with lemon , there you go. :idea:

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Fry them in butter on a plate with lemon , there you go. :idea:

I like the way this guy thinks, Gill em' and kill em'. My kids probably wont appreciate them anyways  :razz:

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I always practice CPR , but I'm a sucker for fried perch. My kids love them. :mrgreen:

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I always practice CPR , but I'm a sucker for fried perch. My kids love them. :mrgreen:

Now you got me thinking of Icefishing!..... Wont be long now...

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You know what I’m talking about bro.
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tossing iron
Oct 11 2017 07:41 PM
[quote name="fishfreek" post="342258" timestamp="1507763155"]

You know what I’m talking about bro.[/quote
C catch
P pan fry
R repeat
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