Responsible Angling

Man's ego, among some in the fly fishing community, can drive some pretty irresponsible behaviors when fishing on a trout stream. Holding up the trout too long while it’s gasping for air...just for a trophy photo. Laying a trout on their side (and eye) to show off its size against the fly rod. Playing a tight line for far too long, exhausting the trout. Using barbed hooks that injure the fish when removing it. Well, I could build a long list, but not interested in doing that. Some of these behaviors are due to individuals not knowing any better (unconscious incompetence), while with others, the behaviors are to meet their need for attention and self gratification of some kind. Sure, it's good to have fun out on the stream, but we should be mindful of how we effect the trout...for the good of heathy trout populations.

I'm highlighting these issues not for sympathy of the trout, but in view of sustaining trout populations in our creeks and rivers. There is a long list of responsible behaviors that fly fishers should be following, but I'm going to highlight only a few that I see most violated by anglers when fishing.

Trout Photos: it's nice to have your catches recorded for good memories and there is a good way to go about it. I prefer to leave the trout in the net for a photo memory...lifting the net up for a second out of the water for a quick shot. For those who like a shot of themselves holding a trout, leave it in the water until your ready for a photo, gently cradle the fish with your hand, and lift for a quick shot...don't leave the trout out of water any more than you have to for the photo. Remember, it's the same for them being out of the water, wanting air, as it is for you with your head stuck under water.

Evasive Species: after your fishing day, wash off your wading boots to remove evasive species. This will prevent you from introducing harmful species into another stream that can cause trout disease and hurt the population. Read the Game & Fish rules for any given stream...if they say NO WADING, well, don't wade into the stream. We have tiny Rios with no wading rules and I see people putting on chest waders and boots to wade the stream. Why? READ THE RULES and follow them.

Catch and Release: just as the phrase says, remove the hook and let the trout slide back into the stream. I prefer to use barbless hooks even when there is no stream regulation for such...barbs can cause injury when removing. And it's easier and quicker to remove a barbless hook for a quick release. As they say, "let them go so they can grow."