One way to release those nates w/o a net(pics

[Chris Nordling]

With the upcoming springer season, and the fact that some nifty native steelies are making their way home, I thought I'd share a series of pics from this last summer. If they help one more native fish survive, to ensure spawning, that would make me feel pretty good.

I'm sure many of you have your own ways to release fish(of course K15's tatooed across the mouth of Mr.Springer may require a net, I usually do),and this series of pics isn't perfect, but it gives a pretty good general idea of where to start.

This fish's body was never more than 1/3 out of the water, and that was just to remove the hook.

I start by using a strong enough mainline and leader to ensure a quality fight, but also a set-up that brings the fish quickly to the boat. Often times many fish will lay "sideways" for a few brief seconds, allowing for easy hook removal and fish revival.


I then quickly cut the leader if necessary(I try not to clip it too close to the hook, this can sometimes cut the gills or gill rakers causing death of the fish), or remove the hook, whichever is easiest.


A quick pic with the fish still in the water (see the grass floating nearby?), then on to revival. This can take up to 10 minutes, so please make sure that the fish is ready to swim away, before letting it go in the current. I try to place the fish with it's head in some current(holding it by the tail, and craddling under the belly), so water may pass over the gills etc, to help the fish regain some energy. Sometimes by gently moving the fish back and forth, you can accomplish this while still controlling a fish that's about to get another burst of energy.

Again, this is just one way of protecting our resources(and keeping that ugly slime off your clothes), and this is just one way of releasing a fish, and still getting a nice photo.

Also,when targeting stretches of rivers that are prone to lots of nates this time of year, please NO DIVER AND BAIT FISHING, those fish will strike a well presented plug with twice the force in the takedown, and with less chance of a mortality to the fish from swallowing the bait.

Good fishing,
Chris

[ 01-19-2004, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: FWF1 ]

[Beer Waggin]

Shouldn't the fish's head be upstream so water is flowing from the head to the tail and the through the gills?
I know and you know, but someone else may not. :grin:

Nice tutorial!

[Chris Nordling]

NorRivDave-

Good point.

Maybe a little better explantation follows.Then again, maybe not.

With it's head upstream, it may be tough to hold onto the fish in some circumstances. With the fish's head downstream, and by working it back and forth in the current, the water will help open the operculum( cheeks), and begin the process of revival. Whatever method works best for the situation.

Personally, I usually go cross current ( not up or downstream), and I baby those things as long as it takes to get them back up to par.

Anybody confused, because I think I just confused myself :shocked: ?

Good fishing,
Chris

[Mrdorkfish]

Great info Chris, [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] I released a nice native Sunday while plunking, the hook was visible but a little too deep for my liking to try and remove it...i just snipped the leader at his lips :smile: gave it two forward thrusts and it was gone before you could say WillametteRiverOutlaw :tongue: (just kidding) I love to see pictures of fish...don't get me wrong but take care of these fish...i noticed a HUGE difference in the fight of this fish sporting a big fin compared to a hatchery fish....It wanted to live

MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Some guy named Louis

[Uglygreen]

If your floating off the anchor, is there any current at all? HAHA!

UG

[Chris Nordling]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mrdorkfish:
......It wanted to live
[QUOTE]

Yup, and we want them around too!

Last year we posted a few pics of fish out of the water, this year with the membership having nearly doubled on this site, it will be different. Not everyone treats these fish with the care they need, not everyone handles fish the same. Those of us that can, should help out those that cannot, or don't know how.

I guess this is my .02 tossed in that direction.

Chris

[Chris Nordling]

Originally posted by Uglygreen:
If your floating off the anchor, is there any current at all? HAHA!

UG

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Ok.... :whazzup:

Chris

[ampersat]

It's never too early to get off to a good start. Great post, Chris.

Got any good tips for bringing the fish to the boat, then releasing it in the water, all while running a boat solo? The drifter is getting closer to completion (bolted up the transom yesterday and just have the inner rails to go as well as some more trailer work) and I'm looking forward to hitting the channel and surrounding area. Sometimes, I'll probably be out there solo. As it is, it's a one man firedrill when a fish gets hooked but if I have to release it solo without bringing it into the boat I might end up sinking myself or someone else.

[Mad Mikey]

Teaching folks to responsibly release wild fish is very important and it's good to see some posts addressing this early in the year.
Water temps are also crucial as to how long you revive your fish.
Colder water = more O2, Winter fish don't need as much attention as a steelhead in the CR in Sept. when the water is 70F.
IMO, there is nothing wrong lifting a native out of the water for a quick photo op in cold water conditions. Ammerman's latest pic was top notch and done right.
The fish was treated properly and right now is swimming upstream with no worries and probably might get caught and released again.
While I strongly advocate handling natives properly and respectfully, keep in mind these fish are TOUGH.
Just watch the hatchery workers netting, tagging, and tossing brats into various pens and trucks for recycling, many of which are handled more than once and some even swim many miles the same day to be handled AGAIN!!!
There is no excuse for abusing a fish but the hysteria of someone getting a photo op of a wild Winter fish is getting a little out of hand.
The fish will be just fine, they are tougher than you think. Use barbless, avoid netting them and don't take chances with a deeply hooked fish, just cut it off and get a pic of the next one.

[David Johnson]

Great post Chris and Mikey.

Amp,

Use a heavy leader, springers are not leader shy, you can wrap the leader around your wrist and steady the fish long enough to unhook or cut off.

If you do net it get a Beckman net that has a soft mesh.

If you are solo just droft with the flow, let people around you know you have a fish on so they can get out of the way and be calm, you'll get em in.