Contest Started - RELEASE FISH TO WIN A REDINGTON RISE REEL!

[cbass]

Catch and release fishing is the future of our fishing. Not only that but quick catch and release. Trout fisheries need catch and release becuase the population would be decimated in the more popular streams without it throwing the natural balance out of position. On steelhead rivers it is critical becuase those fish are our future generations, we need every spawner possible because the future of the species is held in today's generation surviving to produce offspring. These fish must contend with dams, nets, poachers, silted up spawing beds, and dramatic loss of habitat. It is our responsibility to keep these fish going after we have tried so hard to get rid of them. Educating others on proper treatment of fish when caught is crucial to spreading the word and helping those fish that are caught to survive, not only with fly fisherman but all forms of fishing.

[flyfishergirl]

Hmmm, i don't think i was too clear on that last post of mine.

The contest officially ends at 12 midnight (pst) tonight, however since i was a little flaky in regard to the exact deadline time, and possibly confusing people with a reference to "36 hours to go", i will extend the deadline until Saturday May 30, at 6 pm, pst.

[flyfishergirl]

@ utahcutthroat

Thanks for joining and posting. Great info and great pix!! Your beliefs and practices are spot on in my books (and i am sure most, if not all, on this board would agree).

It's great to see that large trophy fish swimming off into the sunset, but for the many, trophy's are not a reality.

I agree - having the chance to interact with a "trophy" is a fantastic experience, however - I have always wondered...what defines a trophy anyway? Simply size? Are we really that shallow when out on the water?

This is going to sound corny, but i think all fish are equal. Yes, that whitefish you caught (hey, client-o-mine - i saw you do this last season!) when Steelheading needs to be released with dignity instead of being thrown over your shoulder into the river. How are we ever going to educate the public on proper care and handling of fish if we don't place equality on all fish? It may just be a sucker fish to some, but in all honestly - it is as defenseless as any other fish once on the end of our line.

Just a thought I had while I was looking for photos to post.....I wonder how many catch and release core fisherman will sacrifice one non-native species to save an another?

Great question, one that i would like to open up for discussion as soon as this contest is over.

I think i am starting to ramble here. Thanks so much for your entry, and i must say - some beautiful pics of fish. The fish (file cutt_2_sm.jpg) in that photo is simply stunning. What a gorgeous specimen.

[flyfishergirl]

@ cbass

Thanks for joining and posting - much appreciated!

Catch and release fishing is the future of our fishing. Not only that but quick catch and release.

Yep, bang on brother.

after we have tried so hard to get rid of them.

Man, you are so right. Brutal to realize, but so true.

Thanks for being an aware angler and helping educate others by posting to this topic.

[Cameron Mortenson]

I've been fly fishing since the early 1990's and my approach to Catch & Release has changed and matured as the years have gone on. I still remember the first trout I caught on the Au Sable River in Michigan. I was exciting to watch it rise to a dry fly, the first fight experienced in the current of the river, and then holding a small brown trout in my hands. Now thinking back I kept it out of the water to long. The photograph of that first trout was so important that I didn't even realize that life was escaping from that poor trout.

Fast forward to the current and I try to practice very careful Catch & Release techniques since these fish are to precious to release only to end up expiring moments later.

When I thought about photos that I would want to post in this thread I immediately thought of a Booneville Cutthroat that I caught last August while on a trip to Wyoming. A friend and I spent a week fishing a few lesser known streams south of Jackson, Wyoming.



These waters really impressed for since these fish were wild and native. To many of our streams fishes have been replaced with whatever the hatchery truck pushes in. These streams held cutthroats...and this one in particular the Booneville Cutthroat.



We got by with big bushy dry flies which caused these cutthroats to materialize out of the depths of dark deep corners or riffled runs to inspect and sip.



The trout of this trip was a 21 inch Booneville Cutthroat that took a yellow Wulff, put a serious bend in my fiberglass four weight, and made the vintage clicker reel scream several times, before I slid him into my net.



This trout truly impressed me. It's painted skin, the sharp teeth of it's jaw, incredible length. It looked as though something else had tried to snatch this trout from the river and left a scar along it's spine. This trout had lived through some trying episodes in that creek for sure.



I don't know if I get extra credit for this or not...but this fish was revived and released which made for a neat underwater video. After this trout was put back in the creek I sat on the bank for several minutes with a smile on my face. This was a fish made my trip and I was even happier since it swam away with such vigor.

[svanloon]

Recently I have begun to preach catch and release like never before. As most anglers who are passionate about fishing and protecting the future of the sport, I stand behind respecting fish and their environments one hundred percent. What hit me was when I was recently asked what my favourite animal was and I replied “a trout.” That was a first for me as I always used to say a dog, a horse, a cow… but now "a trout" is the first thing that seems to land in my mind. Last summer was the first time I picked up a fly rod and have since spent the past eleven months casting on remote rivers in Northern BC and Yukon, tying flies in the winter, and even spent time this spring fishing in Patagonia. Fishing is no longer simply a hobby for me, but now instead a full blown obsession. But recently this obsessions direction has changed. First I loved to just stand in the steam feeling the rushing water compress around my waders. And I know a fisherman should never admit this, but frankly, I never really caught much. I was too caught up in the rhythm, the peacefulness, and the lapse in time when that feeling of “wanting to be nowhere but here” rushed through my body. But this winter when not tying flies, I put in a serious effort into learning about fish. Arctic fishes, food webs, behaviour, communication… you name it. And after reading many textbooks, online articles, and scouring through every angling magazine I could get my hands on, I realised my addiction and intense love I have for fish and just how magnificent they are.

My obsession with catch and release fishing is a topic I have always stood behind and will promote at any chance I get. Nothing is more important than ensuring the future of our bodies of water and their inhabitants. When I am asked why I fish I simply say because ‘I love fish.’ Tacky? Perhaps. Well I can quickly turn any conversation into a full blown promotion on catch and realise fishing due to the fact that I love fish far too much to keep them. When I teach, explain, or promote my love for fishing, the main topic I advocate is how fish should be cherished, treated with the utmost respect, and both caught and returned as safely and effectively as possible. When I first started fishing, the guy that taught me – George – told me the most important thing that I will never forget. “Every fish is a great fish” and I can not emphasise enough how important that saying is for me.

Catch and release fishing initial starts with one understanding and gaining respect for the waters they are fishing and their potential catches. When looking in my fly box, I consider what I am fishing for. Using the correct hook size is an important factor and even more so is ensuring all my hooks are barbless. Despite many anglers not set on barbless due to the easier possibility of loosing a fish, I look at it as an added challenge and a privilege that a fish even striked in the first place. When landing a fish, I try to minimize the amount of time it spends on the end of my line, observe it like I would a bar of gold, and return it to its respective environment as quickly as possible. By keeping handing to a minimum, I then face it upstream and allow it to swim away on its own ensuring that it adjusts back to the stream properly. Rarely do I take pictures of my catches as a camera fails to depict that feeling I have when I stair at a trout awestruck in its beauty. Instead I would rather live up the moment I experiences on the river whether it’s landing a five kilo sea-run brown trout or a ten inch arctic grayling.

If there is one motto I would stamp on a t-shirt to promote Catch and Release it would be:
“Every fish is a great fish. Releasing a fish gives it the possibility to be an even bigger fish.”

Connections in Patagonia...

IMG_2354.JPG (34.52 KiB) Viewed 782 times

attachment=3]IMG_2354.JPG[/attachment]

[utahcutthroat]

@ utahcutthroat

Thanks for joining and posting. Great info and great pix!! Your beliefs and practices are spot on in my books (and i am sure most, if not all, on this board would agree).

It's great to see that large trophy fish swimming off into the sunset, but for the many, trophy's are not a reality.

I agree - having the chance to interact with a "trophy" is a fantastic experience, however - I have always wondered...what defines a trophy anyway? Simply size? Are we really that shallow when out on the water?

This is going to sound corny, but i think all fish are equal. Yes, that whitefish you caught (hey, client-o-mine - i saw you do this last season!) when Steelheading needs to be released with dignity instead of being thrown over your shoulder into the river. How are we ever going to educate the public on proper care and handling of fish if we don't place equality on all fish? It may just be a sucker fish to some, but in all honestly - it is as defenseless as any other fish once on the end of our line.

Just a thought I had while I was looking for photos to post.....I wonder how many catch and release core fisherman will sacrifice one non-native species to save an another?

Great question, one that i would like to open up for discussion as soon as this contest is over.

I think i am starting to ramble here. Thanks so much for your entry, and i must say - some beautiful pics of fish. The fish (file cutt_2_sm.jpg) in that photo is simply stunning. What a gorgeous specimen.

Hi flyfishergirl -

Thanks for the kind words.

After many years of traveling and fishing I have come to a personal philosophy... every piece of water has its trophy and ever river will have its day. Be it a 10lb Brown or a 12" Cutthroat. Not every water can produce a behemoth but every water has its "alpha Trout". Don't get me wrong, I like catching big fish but I also like catching small fish. The bottom line, I just like catching ; )

In my home sate the whitefish is a vital part of sustaining a healthy fishery. They are a native here, they belong here and IMHO, deserve as much respect as all mother natures creatures. I target them to practice different nymphing styles. I actually like them, always have, but I like all fish ; )

Again, great idea you have come up with here! Thanks for the opportunity.

[flyfishergirl]

Man, you all putting up some fantastic stuff, and the photography is amazing. Simply stunning. Thank you for sharing with us.

@ Cameron,

Now thinking back I kept it out of the water to long. The photograph of that first trout was so important that I didn't even realize that life was escaping from that poor trout.

Fantastic realization, and one of the reasons why we started this awareness contest. We have most likely all done this at one time in our life too - whether it was that first first or a trophy. We have most likely all seen others doing the same too. Education is key, and i too have learned some pointers from everyone's posts that i am excited to take to the river and practice.

@ svanloon,
You have posted a very intriguing story. I am very extremely impressed with the depth of your commitment (obession) to angling. To have only picked up a fly rod 11 months ago, and already made it to Patagonia shows great perserverence. Thank you so very much for sharing your history, beliefs and practices with us. It is obvious that you have put a lot of work into being a responsible caring angler. The fish thank you!

@ utahcutthroat,

very piece of water has its trophy and ever river will have its day

That is one of the best philosophies i have ever heard - golden guide speak. Mind if i use that?

I have a weakness for Whitefish (freshwater bones man!), and it really bothers me to see anglers be disappointed, and in some cases, angry when they catch species outside of the targeted one. During the seasons it is Whitefish when Trout fishing, and Bull Trout when Steelheading. Yep i have to agree, it can be annoying to have a bull dart out of the shadows, take your fly and spook a Steelhead that was sighted, but hey, that's fishing right? It would be pretty boring if we always knew what was going to happen and caught every fish we fished to.

To me its just such an honor to be able to interact with any fish, anytime and anywhere. They are all such amazing creatures, and like svanloon, i agree - my favorite animal is also a fish.

[flyfishergirl]

Contest ends today at 6 p.m, PST. You still have a few hours to enter!

We will announce the winner on Monday or Tuesday. Good luck all!

[flyfishergirl]

Ok, i lied. I am not going to be able to announce the winner today, and most likely not tomorrow. I am heading into the lodge tomorrow, and may not be able to get the internet setup right away. Ideally it will all work just fine, and i will be able to do so. However, it may take an extra day or two to get online. So, thanks for your patience everyone. I will let you all know a.s.a.p.

Best, FFG.