Catch and Release Basics

Catch and release is highly popular among fly fishermen and is quickly becoming very popular with more of the fishing community.

Those who are anti-catch and release argue that releasing a fish will result in unnecessary stress and that most of the returned fish will die because of exhaustion. Another argument is that fishermen will damage the fish simply by removing the hook in the wrong manner, if they are deeply hooked,. Those who are pro-catch and release argue that, if anglers practice catch and release successfully, there is no reason why most fish will not survive. There are several streams I fish where I can catch the same fish on consecutive trips.  On a few occasions, I have even caught the same trout twice in one day.

Unfortunately, not every caught fish will survive after being returned to the water. However, there are some steps that can be taken to increase the survival rate. If anglers follow the guidelines listed below, the survival rate of released fish should increase.

1) Play the fish as quickly as possible - this will reduce the amount of stress the fish experiences and the amount of energy it loses. This should make it easier to return to the water safely.  However, this can be taken to the extreme, by bringing in the fish in so quickly that it causes damage.

2)Use barbless hooks - this will reduce the damage that the hook does to the fish. Barbs make it difficult to unhook a fish and will increase the damage done to the mouth of the fish. Barbs can be pinched down with a pair of pliers prior to tying, or with a pair of hemostats while fishing.   Tying with barbless hooks is also becoming very popular.  Just about every hook manufacturer offers a barbless version of their most popular hooks.  Barbless hooks also come out of your clothing and gear much easier!

3) Avoid touching the fish - this will reduce the amount of damage caused to the fish. If you need to touch it, be sure to wet your hands first. This will eliminate rubbing off the protective mucous coating on the fish.  Use hemostats or a hook-removing tool to remove the hook rather than fingers.  Using a net will also eliminate having to touch the fish.

4) Think twice before returning a fish that is bleeding, especially from the gills. Those fish are unlikely to survive.

Terry Chia

AZOD Fly Fishing Editor