09-30-2010, 09:34 PM
[cool][#0000ff]There are a lot of personal preferences. Not all right. Not all wrong. The size of the fish can make a difference. Big trout are strong and hard to hold. They also should not be held up by the gills or vertical. Stress on the internal organs. Of course, as has been pointed out, if you are going to keep them it just don't matter.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Howsomever, if you plan to release a trout you should start by subduing it as quickly as possible to reduce the buildup of stress chemicals in the flesh. Also, use a rubberized or smooth finish nylon net. Trout are prone to rolling and thrashing once netted and a rough nylon net removes scales and protective slime from their skin. Not good for the long term survival. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lip grippers are not recommended for trout. They have fragile lower jaws and when they flop and roll they can tear themselves apart on a lip gripper. This is especially true of kokanee.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Best bet is to gently net them and keep them in the water. Use a good pair of longnose pliers or hemostats to quickly grip the hook and gently back it out...don't rip it. Then, if you need a picture, grasp it gently around the tail "peduncle" and hold it under the belly for the quick picture. Then lay it gently in the water and hold the tail area while working the fish back and forth in the water to force water through the gills. When the fish is ready to go you will feel the strength in the tail and you can let it swim.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When using bait...or even flies...trout will sometimes gulp it past the area where it is easily reached for removal without damage to the fish. Cut the line and forfeit the hook or fly. Maybe the fish will still succumb but if you tear out its guts to recover your hook it is almost a sure bet the fish is a goner.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It is possible to hold a trout firmly without squeezing too hard and damaging internal organs. But if the fish struggles too hard and slips loose, and bounces off the ground or the boat, you might as well keep it. Again, removing scales and slime from the skin opens it up to infections and disease. And the bruising and damage to the fish are not visible but will usually take a fatal toll within hours or days.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Trout are wimps.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Howsomever, if you plan to release a trout you should start by subduing it as quickly as possible to reduce the buildup of stress chemicals in the flesh. Also, use a rubberized or smooth finish nylon net. Trout are prone to rolling and thrashing once netted and a rough nylon net removes scales and protective slime from their skin. Not good for the long term survival. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Lip grippers are not recommended for trout. They have fragile lower jaws and when they flop and roll they can tear themselves apart on a lip gripper. This is especially true of kokanee.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Best bet is to gently net them and keep them in the water. Use a good pair of longnose pliers or hemostats to quickly grip the hook and gently back it out...don't rip it. Then, if you need a picture, grasp it gently around the tail "peduncle" and hold it under the belly for the quick picture. Then lay it gently in the water and hold the tail area while working the fish back and forth in the water to force water through the gills. When the fish is ready to go you will feel the strength in the tail and you can let it swim.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]When using bait...or even flies...trout will sometimes gulp it past the area where it is easily reached for removal without damage to the fish. Cut the line and forfeit the hook or fly. Maybe the fish will still succumb but if you tear out its guts to recover your hook it is almost a sure bet the fish is a goner.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]It is possible to hold a trout firmly without squeezing too hard and damaging internal organs. But if the fish struggles too hard and slips loose, and bounces off the ground or the boat, you might as well keep it. Again, removing scales and slime from the skin opens it up to infections and disease. And the bruising and damage to the fish are not visible but will usually take a fatal toll within hours or days.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Trout are wimps.[/#0000ff]
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