fish out of water

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

fish out of water

Kaju · Member

I guess this is my day for asking questions. I've always been under the impression that gently cradling trout beneath their belly and handling the tail was the safest way to handle/release them, as you had stated. But then I caught an episode of the "New Fly Fisher" on TV this morning and saw the "Orvis certified guide" from Arkansas grab the trout using his thumb and index finger in the lower jaw much the same way you would a Largemouth. This was in a "Trophy Catch and Release" river. I have always thought the trout's jaw structure was way to fragile to be handled in this way. Am I wrong?

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

Yeah, you definitely don't wanna hold a trout by it's mouth.

shon42073 · Senior Member

I catch fish in some pretty slow water sometimes and i find it best to hold the fish gently by its tail and move slowly side to side to help get water moving past the gills in that type of water. I'm sure most of us do our best to have a quick landing and a perfect gentle release but as those of us that spend alot of time on the water know that things happen that sometimes are not anticipated. All thats ask is that we do our best to release fish unharmed.

MikeV · Member

LilWhippersnapper wrote:

Yeah, you definitely don't wanna hold a trout by it's mouth.

why wouldnt you want to hold a trout by its mouth.btw ur avatar is exactly what he is talking about

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brian clemens · Senior Member

wow its christmas time people, cant we be nice for just a few days. my goodness.

live2fish888 · Senior Member

well said brian. Me and my cousin will be out there on friday, so if anyone is planning on hittin it up with us, send us a pm... Merry christmas putah people!

-- Edited by live2fish888 at 20:00, 2008-12-24

brian clemens · Senior Member

ill actually be out there tomorrow giving the putah fish a present. call me myself and I. hahaha

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

MikeV wrote:

�
LilWhippersnapper wrote:

Yeah, you definitely don't wanna hold a trout by it's mouth.

why wouldnt you want to hold a trout by its mouth.btw ur avatar is exactly what he is talking about
�
�

Wow, what did I say to get your panties in a bunch. All I did was agree with Kaju and you come on being an A-hole. I hope you were being sarcastic. BTW, I didn't have a net, so I had to get her up in shallow water so I could land her ASAP.... The rocks she is laying on are wet. I could have fought her for 3 minutes longer and tailed her in deep water, but that would have done much more damage than laying on some wet rocks. This was at Yuba, so you know how hard they fight.... Well maybe you don't?
Merry Christmas.

shon42073 · Senior Member

I remember that one whippersnapper, That fish had a serious attitude.

-- Edited by shon42073 at 07:42, 2008-12-25

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

I know... That fish didn't stop until I finally got her in some slack water. I guess it didn't help that I hooked her right above a chute. Remember that one I hooked right below you while I wasn't paying attention... That was funny.

Leicafish · Veteran Member

Per DFG regs: "Catch and release zero limit waters: In waters where the bag limit for trout and salmon is zero, fish for which the bag limit is zero must be released unharmed, and should not be removed from the water."

If we are going to get all over the people who fish out of season etc, then we ought to be sqeaky clean about the regs too. �Although I, have not heard of someone being cited for putting a fish on the bank to take a pic, it would certainly be within the discretion of a warden to do so. �To boot, many of us are posting the evidence on the Web!

drifter · Senior Member

Agreed in that we all should try to minimize handling/out of water etc., But im going to have to disagree with DFG having the authority to cite you for it.� Reg states "should".........although suggestive, its, permissive, not mandatory language.�(however�the agent would seem to have discretion to say that such action�harmed the fish, which would be citable, given the mandatory language "must" release the fish unharmed)�But with DFG need for money, it wouldnt suprise me if they tried to slap a fine on someone.� Cant wait till the state can be in a position to provide them with more money, maybe then they will quit "focussing" on barbed hooks (revenue raisers)and start doing some meaningfull work.

-- Edited by drifter at 12:28, 2008-12-30

ANGRYINCHER · Veteran Member

Drifter...you are right about the language, but know that the Warden does have the authority and the FG Code gives it to him/her. It is up to that Warden to either follow the "Letter of the Law" or "Spirit of the Law" (Ticket versus lecture and no ticket). JW

drifter · Senior Member

good point Angryincher....i was unaware of that.� I find it interesting how much discretion DFG officers get compared to other law enforcement agencies.� Seems like the whole "spirit" of the law provisions runs contrary to this countries general notion of puting everyone on notice of what is legal and what is not.

shon42073 · Senior Member

From my experience game wardens usualy will side with educating rather then ticketing. It's been at least a year since i've seen one on putah. Almost always have had a positive experience when being confrontanted by a warden, Some have even searched my backpack, the cooler in my car, and even looked around in the trunk of my car, Personaly i have no problem with it. I'll tell ya though, It's the female ones that tend to be the hard......'s. biggrin

Nohackle · Senior Member

According to the late Gary LaFontaine, if you hold a small fish by cupping your hand without touching the fish's lateral line, the fish won't wiggle around.� This makes it easier to remove the hook and release it.� To be honest, I have always forgotten to try this, but it's worth�keeping this in mind.� (He makes this claim in one of his videos "Successful�Flyfishing Strategies"; I don't remember if it's in part I or II).� �

lightfoot · Senior Member

shon42073 wrote:

From my experience game wardens usualy will side with educating rather then ticketing. It's been at least a year since i've seen one on putah. Almost always have had a positive experience when being confrontanted by a warden, Some have even searched my backpack, the cooler in my car, and even looked around in the trunk of my car, Personaly i have no problem with it. I'll tell ya though, It's the female ones that tend to be the hard......'s.

NOT without a warrent or due cause!!!!!!

Even knowing there is nothing illegal about anything on my persons or property they will get no consent!!!!

ANGRYINCHER · Veteran Member

I agree with most Wardens educating versus ticketing. Some cops do it, too. I believe most citizens take to heart a good educating talk versus getting fanged...unless of course the citizen gives attitude. Just know that a Fish and Game Warden has�by Law more searchable�freedom than a regular peace officer. For example, if a Warden sees a person putting their gear away from a day of fishing, they have the legal right to check any compartment, storage area, etc that may contain fish, fish parts, or all of the above...Without a warrant. I don't remember what FG Code, but I believe this might also encompass hunting and vegetable gathering (Wild mushrooms, orchids).

All in all, it's good to fish. Happy New Year!!! JW.

lightfoot · Senior Member

http://law.justia.com/california/codes/fgc.html

Good luck, I don't think it's there.�