Handling Fish Properly

This blog today is out of guilt, pure guilt. As a matter of fact, starting this website is out of guilt. What did I do you ask?

Well let me tell you.

I was fishing with the family last Sunday at one of our favorite fishing holes. I was bait fishing for trout off the bank. The fishing was great and the catching was OK. I try to be very careful about handling the fish, from the hook, the fight, getting them in the net and keeping or releasing. I keep a set of clippers and needle nose on my chest at all times to help with the release of the fish. Well as it so happens, I injured the rainbow I was trying to release, he started to bleed and was going to die. So although small,  he was coming home with me for dinner.

I am not a strict catch and release fisherman like some, I enjoy eating fish. But I have some very strict rules.

If I kill it, I keep it. If I keep it, I eat it. If it is hooked deep I cut the line. I never touch a fish with dry hands, it removes their slime. I try to net them in a soft net and keep them in the water. I use barbless hooks or bend the barbs down. I don’t toss them like a football to release them. I don’t drag them up the bank through the rocks, crush it with my hands to show someone and get a picture.

The point is, if there is a chance you will release the fish, send it home alive and well. If you plan on eating the fish, do what you will. The only fish that should be on a stringer are those that have a date with a frying pan.

That is what I am guilty of, forgetting about the fish in the cooler. I forgot to cook it, let it rot, and killed some beers and a cooler in the process.

I ask forgiveness from the fishing gods for my crime and hope that I can save just one fish tomorrow during Utah free fishing day. Be gentle out there people.

Here is a post from the Utah DWR about catch and release: http://wildlife.utah.gov/fishing/catchandreleasetips.php

If your keeping them, treat them good like this picture shows.