I learned years ago in college, while taking a course in Fisheries
Management, that the longer you play a fish, the larger the build up of
Lactic Acid. Makes no difference if you're playing soft and easy,
because eventually you wear the fish out. This puts unnecessary stress
on the fish. The build up of lactic Acid will be greater than if you
"horsed" the fish in. Quoting from a search I did on Google, " Stress
and wounding, from hooking, etc results from the fish fighting after
being hooked. Internally, the physical exertion causes an oxygen deficit
in the tissues, forcing the muscles to function anaerobically (without
oxygen). This causes lactic acid to build up in the muscle tissue, and
then to diffuse into the blood. Lactic acid acts as an acid in the
blood, causing the pH of the blood to drop. Even slight changes in pH
can cause major disruptions of the metabolic processes, ultimately
killing the fish. If the fish is quickly released, its blood pH usually
returns to normal and the fish will be unaffected. Some fish, after a
long tow, may appear to live once released, but the imbalance in the
blood chemistry may kill them as late as three days after being caught.
In most cases, the means of preventing this type of mortality is to not
keep the fish in action for a long period of time, unless the intent is
to keep it.
To read the complete article, click on:
http://www.hookoff.com/wp/
I was also instructed at bass tournaments which my son Joe and I fished
in the early 90's, to bring the bass in quickly, once hooked. This was
in accordance with the Bassmasters Tourny guidelines, which resulted in
less than 10% mortality of released fish. We used a specially prepared
liquid that we poured in our live wells that helped the fish revive and
regain their strength. At times we had bass in our live well for half a
day, and never once did we have a fish die on us.
I'd think that the above would pertain to trout mortality / kindness
too. While it is fun to play a fish and watch the jumps, it certainly
can't be good for the fish.
JIMMY D
DonO wrote:
Trout kindness?
Which technique in C&R is easier on the trout?
1. Stout leader, play fish harder, land quickly, revive, release.
2. Fine tippet, light rod, play fish softly but longer, land, revive,
release.
Pro's and cons:
Play the fish hard with strong tippet, and the hook does a lot of
damage to the trout's mouth.
Play the fish soft and easy, wear it out totally, but not physically
damage it so much.
Mitigating factors:
Warmth of water
Strength of fish (size)
Health of fish
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Jimmy D. Moore - Scout Exec. BSA (Ret.), TOWA, TF&G Contributor, GRTU Past VP.
Past Pres. McGregor Rotary. Freelance Outdoor writer, humorist, half-assed Texan
and collector of classic bamboo fly rods and classic golf clubs
Author - "MOON HOLLER MISFITS Fishing & Hunting Club", ©
JIMMY D's Fly Fishing Website http://bigtroutman.tripod.com/
JIMMY D'S Classic & Antique Golf Club Site
http://bigtroutman.tripod.com/rayadoclassicgolfclubs
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"Being able to read trout streams is just as valuable to a fly fisherman as the
ability to read a defense is to an NFL Quarterback."
Jimmy D. Moore - © [2004]
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