venting_ wild fish photos

[cully]

Sorry to rehash if this topic has run before. It most likely has been kicked to death. Lately I've been seeing a lot of photos on Ifish, sts magazine and other forums photos of guys holding wild fish. I don't get it. The fish has be hooked, fought, landed and is going to be released. You just had the thrill of it all. Now you gotta brake out the Kodak, set it on the boat and back off and wait for the automatic shutter to go off? Or another version-you net the fish, bring it in the boat take the photo and then release the fish. What's up with that....yesterday. Does the great memory not remain with you with out that stupid photo? What about leaning over, removing the hook and letting the fish swim off? When you want to recall the great event call on your memory, it's really a pretty cool way to excercise it

[ 02-22-2004, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: cully ]

[River Ranger]

I really don't think the extra ten to fifteen seconds harms the fish at all.I think the fish dislikes the whole being hooked process much more.I do agree that wild fish should not be put in the net.But if you think that the picture matters so much you probably should not fish when natives are in at all.
R.R.

[GOT2FISH]

I think you maybe suprised what a diffrence 10 or 15 secounds makes. And I havent seen to many people get orginized and take 1 2 or 3 photos in that amount of time. Also didn't it say some where not to remove natives from the water? [not sure of the last one]

[fishinpoor]

while i don't think a wild fish should be slid up on the rocks or beach to flop around or dropped in the bottom of the boat,just reaching over and unhooking them and letting them swim off without reviving them may be more of a disservice in the long run,as long as care is taken,keeping your hands wet,not letting the fish flop around and such,i don't see the harm in a pic.if the camera is ready,take a quick one,revive the fish and smile as you let em go :grin:

[Crayfin]

Well said Dave.

Crayfin

[Born to be Wild]

As I have said many times, I don't see what the point is.

Tell us (ifisher's) or friends what the fish looked like, how big it was or whatever.
I'll take your word for it!
We all know what a wild steelhead, coho, etc. looks like!

Seeing a stressed out wild fish that is going to be released being held up by a fisherman is a total turn-off to me and many others.

Handling the fish alone is not in the best interest of the fish much less denying an already stressed out fish the oxygen it needs so badly and stressing it even more!

So what's the point?
Is it a brag picture?
Like I said, we'll take your word for it!

But if you think that the picture matters so much you probably should not fish when natives are in at all.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">

Hey I got an idea [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] , take a pic of that wild fish and after you release it take another picture of it as it sinks to the bottom! :grin:

Oh, just kidding about that last one but seriously think about the welfare of the fish and not an unnecessary photo.

Dano

Bring them in fast, keep them in the water , don't handle them any more than nessassary.
I have NO pictures of fish that aren't dead.

[gimmeumpqua]

Stupid photo?

Get a life. I have yet to have had any steelhead or salmon leave my grasp without vigor after photographing them. The key is not to overly exhaust them when catching them.

Pretty soon these overcritical baseless concernite know it alls will have us cutting our lines when the fish is 2 ft underwater.

Anesthetic impregnated hooks maybe?

I just posted my latest pics....I know Most of you will enjoy them. And for the other's who cringe and squirm because the fish is out of water? Have a nice ulcer on me.


Kurt

[Born to be Wild]

So it sounds to me David that you release many wild fish without taking pic's of them but some you do snap the pic for your customers or business.

More power to ya and I guess we all will never agree on this one.
I just simply don't have a need to take a pic of a wild fish or see a pic of a wild fish.

When I am dealing with an incidental wild fish I try and not even handle the fish but control it with the leader, remove the hook and let it be on its way.

Do you think folks physically handling these fish is not hard on the fish?
I was just kind of under the asumption that when you handle them that some of the protective "slime" comes off?

Dano

[Laserman]

I know that everyone that has posted to this topic is very concerned about proper handling of the wild fish ( all fish should be handled with care and dignity wheather or not it is native, wild or hatchery orgin). All of these fish are very importantant to the Pacific Northwest Sportsman.
In regards to taking a picture of a native fish, if done properly and timeley, will in most cases not cause additional harm to the fish. One way of trying to insure this is proper handling and using a camera that can be used at water level or under water. I just picked up a Sony DSC-U60 digital camera for this reason. It a quick point and shoot camera that can be used underwater up to 5 ft. and takes a pretty good picture.
As I get older I have a harder time remembering the detailed experiences of the past. A picture of that day's fun is one way to bring back these details.
I know that the guides that fish for a living and those other individuals that fish over 100 days a year know the proper way of handling and releasing salmon and steelhead. Maybe one of you that read this post can give a detailed write up on how is the best way of handling, taking a picture and releasing this Northwest creature. I am sure it wuold be helpful to those people who are so concerned.

[Chris Nordling]

Laserman-

Here's a topic I did in January, pics too.

Here Fishy Fishy

Chris

[River Ranger]

Well said dave.I'm just saying that if you care so much about native fish and their wellfare you should not fish for them,thats all.I only have a few of photos with wild fish and took those pics because they were big beautiful fish.hooking and fighting a fish is harder on them than a flashbulb.not trying to be a jerk here just making a point.
R.R.

[Thumper]

Next time you land and photograph a fish that is to be released, start holding your breath the instant that you remove the fish from the water. When you are out of breath, make sure the fish is back in the water.

Better yet, run a couple hundred yards first.

I do not understand this need for "hero" pictures. You caught a great fish. We all admire your accomplishment. Leave the poor fish in the water.

[ 02-22-2004, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Thumper ]

[David Johnson]

A lot of the misshandling that is done is the result of poor or lack of education. One saving grace may be that the guys handling the fish poorly don't catch enough fish to put a dent in the population if one happens to die. I know that some people wont like to hear that but there is a degree of mortality to be expected with fishing.

That degree can be limited however.

Using a heavy leader so as to help control the fish is helpfull.

Using a soft net will limit slime coat loss. As will touching the fish with a wet hand. Nets are used to transport fish all the time in a hatchery environment.

Don't over play a fish.

During our fall, winter and spring seasons the water is usually pretty cold, this helps limit stess on fish (cold water holds more oxygen) and also will slow the growth of fungus that attacks the fish.

Another thing, once a fish has been in fresh water it's scales will harden, not true with ocean salmon.

During the summer time when water temps are up, especially on the Columbia, I only net wild fish if it's a safety factor. And I don't have one pic of a wild fish caught during the summer. I've revived and released them ASAP.

The most damage that I see done to released fish is at B-10 or ocean when people will net silvers, bring them in and then drop them back in the water. A salt water coho should never be netted if going to be released. Also, this time of year is when there is the largest amount of inexperienced fishers out there.

[River Ranger]

Thanks for the info Dave.Now will I get to see you handle a fish on my trip with you in march ?
R.R.

[cully]

"Trust me I'm a professional"- I'm sure if you knew many of those other guys in sts etc you would find out they are professional about getting their shots too"
Well in the current issure of sts magaizine pg 50 the author of the piece is holding a fish to be released that I find very odd if he claims to be a pro. And elsewhere in the mag. there is mention of a solo successfull photo that took several attempts to take. Ah, yes there it is page 74-75. Different author! What a great piece of workmanship! So to you answer your question, no I don't trust someone just because they calim to be a professional! But wait I can hear the reply...did either of those two authors claim to be professional? Well if they took a dime or even a hat from sts mag. then in my book they are considered such. Let's ask Jim Thorpe. Any way my main point is why take the photo. I've already had .02 but above lies another penny or in this case it took me 4.95 for sts to inform me of such great methods.

[blacktail519]

cully....cully....cully

[Uncle Bob]

Hey RR
You'll be operating the camera.
Just don't cut off my head this time.

:grin:

It's going to be fun!!!

UB

[Boedy]

To be safe we should not even fish [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

[ 02-22-2004, 04:55 PM: Message edited by: Boedy ]

[gthfish]

Play em fast! Horse em if you have to! Use heavy tackle if you need to save that special lure, and release them quickly after a fast pic in or near the water! thats an ethic I can live with with no apologies to anyone.

David,
"A lot of the mishandling that is done is the result of poor or lack of education. One saving grace may be that the guys handling the fish poorly don't catch enough fish to put a dent in the population if one happens to die. I know that some people wont like to hear that but there is a degree of mortality to be expected with fishing"

I agree. When people see pictures of wild fish they are encouraged to do it themselves, thus a higher mortality rate. I feel that the mortality rate would be much lower if we had to kill the first two fish caught (hatchery or wild) and then get off the river, this will never happen.

gthfish,

"Play em fast! Horse em if you have to! Use heavy tackle if you need to save that special lure, and release them quickly after a fast pic in or near the water! thats an ethic I can live with with no apologies to anyone"

Yup!

[Laserman]

FWF1

Chris. Good information. What would be nice is to see either WDFW or ODFW put together a local workshop on how to properly release fish. (Specifically our Spring Chinook). This in itself will have a more positve impact(less mortality)on the fishery.

Taking pictures of fish are not in itself the problem. It how or how not the fish is handled that makes the diffrence.

Also some of use take pictures of fish to document other issues such as Fish that have tumors or fungas, Brusing and marks on fish caused by Gill nets, and sometimes this is a way for someone to remember a fishing buddy that may not be long for this world.This and other picture oriontated data that can be used to bring documented imformation to the diffrent Fish and Wild life offices as well as fond memories of days and friends of the past. Not all picture taking is to do with bragging rights and I have not problem with someone taking a picture of a days venture. My opinion only.

[Ty]

Nicely said DJ!

Cully....... oh please........ [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

I too am a fisheries profesion and a quick release is less important then getting them in fast and a long revival....

[ET]

If the fish are so fragile, why fish for them at all?

[ 02-22-2004, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: Pete ]

[boater]

[ 02-22-2004, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: boater ]

[Pounddown]

you are all a bunch of whiners... how do you know how that fish feels, have you talked with one lately... the bottom line is there are proper ways to handle fish and if you know what your doing I dont think it really hurts them.. I PERSONALLY released over 20 non-clipped springers on the willamette one year and took alot of pictures, and when I PUT them back in the water they shot off like a rocket... didnt seem to bother them at all... then again I DONT KNOW HOW TO TALK WITH THEM.

[David Johnson]

There is one misconception that if a fish shoots off it will be fine but slime loss and the build-up of acid in the tissue/lack of oxygen will show effects later down the road in the fishes life.

Even if they shoot off they do suffer damage if poor care is taken.

Some people get stuborn when confronted about this and refuse to admit their damage and will usually reply with a "mind your own business" kind of reply. I've gotten this reaction several times on the Columbia especially, and that's the place the fish need the most care since they are or will be encountering warm water and they will usually be traveling a long way.

[RichH]

I smell dead horse in the wind. [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

[Fish Hawg]

IMO I think If you want to take the picture take it; But make sure the fish is ready before you justshove it off.

I like going through our old pictue albums of my Dad and Uncles Fishing Picture from the late 60's tolate 80's. I am glad they took those pics....Ross

[The Steelheader]

Others have said it, if you think handling this resource is too critical for anyone to do, get off the river. These fish are are tough, God made them that way.

[ 02-22-2004, 08:38 PM: Message edited by: Pete ]

[crittergitter]

As for my two cents worth all this kind of action does is give the game dept. more reasons to limit fishing time and we all know we don't need that. I thought the regs were changed to not removing the natives from the water period. Not gonna swear to that but why give them any more excuses than they already have? Sorry folks but the more you handle these fish out of the water the more stress you put on them.

[Bobber Down]

Ok, what about the new law that just came out about leaving all wild fish in the water. Is it against the law now to take a picture of the wild fish that you just caught by lifting it out of the water for a photo. Not trying to stir the pot here, but lets hear some feedback on this..................Bobber Down

[ZaQ]

Originally posted by Born to be Wild:


Tell us (ifisher's) or friends what the fish looked like, how big it was or whatever.
I'll take your word for it!
We all know what a wild steelhead, coho, etc. looks like!

Dano

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Now thats a load of crap. Awhile back, my friend fishnxtc posted that we had caught a sizeable fish in Tillamook. There were 200 posts demanding the picture before I even got home from the trip. Why didn't IFISH take his word for it than?

[Salmonator]

Because it's the difference between a keeper and a fish that is required by law to be released unharmed? Just a guess...

[boater]

[ 02-22-2004, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: boater ]

[FISHNAKED]

Ya know I really try to stay out of the bickering and garbage. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] But people a are entitled to live (fish) their own lives if you don't wish totake pic's of nates then don't! [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] If you wish to record the event in a photo then do so. I think folks should live their own lives instead of trying to dictate what every one else does. this bickering KRAP! is getting old. I realize I haven't been a member of this board very long but this is my opinion

[ 02-22-2004, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: FISHNAKED ]

[Quasimodo the fish killer]

I am not for or against taking a pic I dont take them I already got a whole drawer full of them that I took in years past I dont need any more so I unhook them beside the boat and let them go about their way.

I sort of have a question about this topic I was wondering if they switched to a do not remove from the water law on the springers on the coloumbia do you suppose it would cut down on the mortality?

they have the rule for sturg does it actually cut the mortality of them?

I probably should have started a new topic with this but I figured it tied into this topic


Quasi

.

[Full Freezer]

A friend that I plan to take to the Big C for springers this year had mentioned he wanted to use his steelhead rods with light lb. test. I explained that "release mortality" of wild fish was a VERY hot topic this year and would not be a good idea to "play" the fish like he wanted to as others in the hog line might take issue with this. He was alarmed that someone would actually make a fuss about it. I told him that this issue was becoming polarized and would be a great idea to play the fish quickly to identify whether hatch or wild & handle accordingly with out lifting the wild ones out. He agreed.

I think there are alot of people still not informed about this issue and do hope the states invest in a public awareness program to educate the importance of proper handling. So until everyone knows about it, take it easy on the uninformed & explain it to them nicely.
[img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

I believe there are some fishermen who can actually play a fish, land it, quickly hold it for a very quick snap shot, and release it properly, because they care about how they do it for the fish's sake. Then there are those who simply do not know or do not care and will injure or harm the fish regardless of knowing right or wrong. I'm not sure if we should outright ban it because of the latter or just do our best to encourage/educate everyone to do it well??

Tough call.

[DanS]

what about the new law that just came out about leaving all wild fish in the water

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">What about it? It's the law in WA ( a worthless law IMO) so you have to leave your fish in the water. If it makes the Gamey happy, I'll do it.

But I'll also take a damn picture if I feel like it. Call it a "hero" shot if you want, I couldn't care less. I enjoy browsing through fishing pictures from years past, and I know (because I was there and you weren't) that NONE of the ones I released suffered any additional stress from being photo'd. They were all out of the water for mere seconds, because the camera is made ready well before the fish is close enough to land.

Don't like it ? Too bad. I won't show up at your house and tell you all the things that bug me about the way you lead your life, and we'll call it even.

Funny that a guy that would drive a steel hook into a fish's mouth and then land it would worry about it being out of the water for two shakes, don't you think?

[Amerman]

I am glad people decided to debate this topic instead of just slamming everyone but not talking about why they think these fish are being hurt. A good debate can educate many. Thanks all. DJ and others--well said. I will also add my .02.

First off in defense of STS. A lot of the unclipped photo's people get so upset about are actually from back east like cully's page 50 quote. In many of these rivers Steelhead and salmon have been introduced and are all hatchery, so they don't clip any of them, and you can keep anything. I see lots of pics of people holding these fish which are probably going to be killed anyway or already have been.

As DJ said, a lot of handling a fish depends on water temp, what kind of fish you are handling (with Spring chinook we need to be especially carefully because this fish needs to survive after being released for as much as 6 months; slime removal can kill this fish 3 months later)

I had a big post about how I think a native should be revived but it got deleted because someone else could control themself. A fish can be handled wrong even if it's just clipped off at the boat, and it can be handled right even if it is netted and photographed. Regardless of how you do it, handling the fish right is what's important.

Many of you guys who have such a big problem with pictures are thinking of that fish being out of the water the whole time while the camera is being readied and people are getting out of the boat etc. But the way I do it is land the fish as quickly as possible. To do this, I never fish line less than 12# test when fishing for steelhead. If I realize its a native, extra presure is added to make sure to not stress it too much. If it breaks, then oh well. As soon as the fish is landed, I start holding it in the water reviving it. I only photo fish that I can stand in the water while reviving them. Or a picture is taken over my shoulder with the fish in the water. While the fish is being revived the camera is readied and everything is set.

I revive the fish holding it head up stream into the current, so clean water runs over its gils. While doing this, the fish is quickly lifted for a picture. In all my photo's you can see the water's running off the fish. The pic is snapped and the fish is right back in the water a couple seconds max. ( Ya thumper I can hold my breath that long). Sometimes if the fish still needs more time I revive them longer and another picture can be taken. I am the only one who handles the fish. I am wearing gloves to protect any slime. I don't remove the hook if there is any chance of doing more damage to the fish. Make sure the fish is ready to go before it is ever let to swim away. I will hold a fish for 15 minutes if that's what it takes ( no Thumper I can't hold my breath that long but I still do it ). I see too many people just hold a fish for a second and let it go the first time it kicks a little. Make sure the fish has a good chance to rest a little and get its wits back around it.

I don't think the whole picture thing is what this post is really about. I think it's really about how we handle the fish, again great topic everyone. I am glad we have been able to debate this without calling names.

[River Ranger]

I use 65lb power pro for my mainline and 50lb leader so I can get them in quick(salmon that is).I have seen guys use light rods for salmon and it does take them a while.On the other hand not everyone can afford to have a rod for all occasions.
R.R.

[Fish Hawg]

Zaq [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Ty]

Could'nt have been better said Scott......

[River Ranger]

Well said Scott.I am pretty sure that some of the opponents of native pics would snap a shot in a heartbeat if they caught a pig like the last one you got.I only have one picture of a steelhead over twenty lbs you have had three in like the past thirty minutes [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] .
R.R.

[Pete]

Please adhere to the AUP, ... you may disagree with other's opinions or conclusions, but disrespect and inflamatory posts will not be tolerated.

I have every confidence in guys like Scott Amerman and David Johnson doing the right thing while handling wild fish.The pictures I have seen of them with thse fish looks to me as if they are experts in handling the natives.
I have seen noted NW fishing celebrities with their fingers rammed up wild fishes gills! This has happened more than once too so not all experts are careful.
So if you are absolutely sure that you know exactly what you are doing then a quick photo probably isn't going to hurt the fish. If you are unsure then it would be better leave the fish in the water and forget the picture! The survival of the wild fish is far more important than your "glory shot" and your ego!
As for me I'm going to give the fish the benefit of the doubt and leave them in the water.

[ 02-23-2004, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Stew ]

[Full Freezer]

Thank you Scott! Nice post.

[Amerman]

Another point--on a couple of my big fish this year the client wanted a photo to do a replica mount. I still might get one done of that last hog. I am trying to decide if it's worth the money, and where I will put it. But I am glad I have a photo, so I have that option.

[Born to be Wild]

I have every confidence in guys like Scott Amerman and David Johnson doing the right thing while handling wild fish.The pictures I have seen of them with thse fish looks to me as if they are experts in handling the natives.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Totally excellent post Scott! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
I would still rather not see pic's of wild fish that are going to be released but as you said, a great debate and learning experience for all of us!

Unfortunately most fishermen I have observed on the river including myself don't go to the extreme of a very seemingly responsible method of handling these wild fish to be released the way you do.

Your post was very educational to me and I'm sure to others.
I still have no reason to intentionally catch and release a wild fish that is required to be released much less photograph that fish, but to each their own.

Great post, very professional and very educational to the ifisher's and lurker's.

So to those of you that like to photograph those wild fish to be released, I would prefer to see you wearing gloves to protect the all important slime from now on! :smile:
I’m not going to repeat your handling methods but some very important info for all of us!

By the way Scott, it was sure good meeting you and Grant and Travis at the show.
Hope to get together with you guys at some point of time to spank a fish or to just relax and compare notes.

I might come back and address a few points on this thread later, but got to yours and found it most informative.

Dano

[Born to be Wild]

ZAQ,

Was this some big wild fish that had to be released, or a super big hatchery or wild Chinook that was kept but not photographed?
The latter scenario would raise suspicion.

I really could understand someone photographing a 30# wild coho or steelhead, but to see a pic of a 10#, 12#, or 15# nate just doesn’t do anything positive for guys like me, or Keta, or Thumper and many others that release them as quickly as possible.

I don’t think anyone of us is calling you guys that take those pictures imbasoles or knuckleheads, but we simply don’t enjoy seeing a soon-to-be released, already stressed-out fish that is in a world of hurt, out of water for a pic!
You got to respect that opinion also!

Scott posted an excellent way of dealing with these fish if it is necessary to photograph them.

So maybe those of you that feel the need for this picture of a wild fish (the ones you can’t keep), pass it onto your memory banks or friends that appreciate that sort of thing but possibly not put it on a public forum where there are others that don’t need it or despise it?

What’s wrong with that?
If it is not a brag picture of; “oh look at what I did today”, why not just email it to those that appreciate it instead of offending others?
Again, telling me about the experience is good enough.
I don’t check tags or pictures to see who is catching what.

David Johnson covered the other points that I was going to cover and that is just because a fish appears to be OK when you release it, doesn’t mean it is going to last the duration.

Great and educational thread!

Dano

[Navigator]

ZAQ - Well, the 75lb rumour might of had something to do with it - just a guess .

[drhall99]

Some people just don't get it. So, lets put it another way... If you had just run (for your life, flat out) a couple of miles and someone held your head underwater for a couple of minutes and the end, how well would you do? My previous statement assumes that fish are the same as humans, which their not. Fish die if they have to much lactic acid built up, humans don't. They need all the oxygen they can get. Please do your best to leave them in the water, if you can.

"David Johnson covered the other points that I was going to cover and that is just because a fish appears to be OK when you release it, doesn’t mean it is going to last the duration."


Yes, I'd rather smack 'em on the head, rip their gills and guts out and take the picture later. If I have to release a fish I WILL do everything I can to make sure it survives. Some fish will die no mater how careful you handle them, in or out of the water. It's in our interest to keep the mortality of wild fish as low as possible.

[Born to be Wild]

Yes, I'd rather smack 'em on the head, rip their gills and guts out and take the picture later. If I have to release a fish I WILL do everything I can to make sure it survives. Some fish will die no mater how careful you handle them, in or out of the water. It's in our interest to keep the mortality of wild fish as low as possible.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">

Right on brother Keta! :grin:
Let them "catch and release and photograph" and let us "barbarian's" catch and BBQ! :grin:

Dano

:smile: My favorite release IS a flush! :smile:

There are several wild stocks that can't take a lot of mortality and when fishing in a mixed stock fishery (like the Columbia) it's good to have as high a survival rate as possible. Other systems have healthy wild stocks and can handle more dead wild fish. I'd still rather harvest them than have them die after being released.

[Joe Schwab]

Bottom line in all this is that regardless of whether you are a professional or not, less handling is better for the fish.

Spring Chinook are going to be better protected by the no removal law. I, for one, am going to be writing down numbers of boats pulling springers from the water and photographing them. I may even record the event on my telephoto digital camera and post a few.

[David Johnson]

Ever heard, "Trust me, I'm a professional" ?

Besides the fact I have a degree in fisheries my boat lands hundreds and hundreds of fish a year. I think I know how to handle a fish. I am also organized enough to get those two or three shots in a few seconds.

Fish in my boat never come in the boat if they are to be released.

We also miss many, many photos of wild fish because it is in the best interest of the fish to let them go before the we can get a shot.

I'm sure if you knew many of those other guys in STS etc you would find out they are professional about getting their shots too.

There are many on the water that don't take care of the fish and that's sad.

I'm glad you take that extra step. And if a person was even more concerned about hurting them then don't fish for them.

[ 02-22-2004, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: David Johnson ]

[fishinpoor]

thanks DJ,you guys that make a living doing this are exposed to more fish than all of us,if you felt that handling a nate was that harmful you wouldn't do it [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[Chris Nordling]

Ditto to what DJ said. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Chris

[BUGLEMAN]

If one gets out of the boat with the fish on line in let's say 6" of water and then with the camera prepped, picks up the fish for a quick snap, unhooks and releases the fish what is the big deal? That is what I do and the fish seems to use the prep time to begin recovery. As soon as I pull out the hook the fish is gone.

I guess we could go back to the days when almost all fish were bonked and then had thier picture taken.

[ 02-22-2004, 12:36 PM: Message edited by: BUGLEMAN ]