hunterjoe21 wrote:

why bother with size or "slot" limits if the little ones or the mature ones are gonna die anyway?

Same reason our MNR is seriously considering stopping this as of my last couple chats with Conservation Officers about the issue.

Dimitri

Our DOW is exploring expanding the use of size and slot limits.

I am sure there are areas considering it, while others are considering shutting it down.

What I know is its mainly 6 of one, half dozen of the other issue, many different "studies" with controlled fish conditions come to 2 different conclusions. Depends on too many issues to be "controlled" in my opinion.

Most I see in lakes and rivers doing "catch and release" are into fighting and tiring the fish out completely, taking it out of the water for a while for that "perfect" picture (4-5 shots, sometimes even switching people in the picture to get a group photo or 2), to weight and measure it, then put it back in after 4-6 minutes of the fish suffocating. Doubt many of them survived.

Dimitri

There's the difference...

I don't need pictures of fish...I know what they look like.

Typically the only difference in them is size, a "small" steelhead looks just like a "large" steelhead, only smaller...unless you wanna call 'em by their other name...Then a BIG rainbow is a true trophy...or a small Steely...It's your call at that point...(I only use Steely's 'cause that's what we have here, other flavors may have their own issues)

Anyway, I usually reel 'em in (and I'm not afraid to "Steer" one in if I need to, I don't fly fish, I use REAL equipment), and cut 'em loose. I grew up fishing for largemouth bass, and have had trouble letting that mentality go free. Again, I know what BIG bass look like, they're the same as the little ones, just bigger....

hunterjoe21 wrote:

I don't fly fish, I use REAL equipment

Whats that supposed to mean?

Dimitri

It means that if I hook a fish that's gonna make a run, I have a chance to stop and turn it without worrying about breaking some wispy little leader. I use spinning gear for river fish, it allows me to take control of the situation quickly, get the fish in, and release it before the fish is completely exhausted. I believe this is a fundamental difference between me and the "fly fishing" crowd, who "play a fish" (read as "exhausting" a fish to near death). If I'm gonna damn near kill it before I land it, I might as well finish the job and toss it onshore, where the coyotes and 'coons can feed on it...

wow i take offense to the use of "real" equipment as you state that. and i dont fly fish..

so to use your statements and to give the same in return, you use gear thats oversized and stress the fish out even moreso by just ripping him through the water thus tearing its jaw muscles or worse and making it die from inability to feed properly then huh?

and before you make a general statement of "the fly fishing crowd" you better make sure the crowd is doing it, awww forget it. waisting my breath.

THats all right, he just dosent understand, and cant appriciate the skill and art of the mechanics of fly fishing. It truly is an art-form that takes years of hard work to even come close to being proficient at. I fish just about anyway I can to get them out of the water, but fly fishing has, and always will be my favorite way to go about it.

Cannot easily over stress a fish by fly fishing, you tire it out and break its will over time, you are not forcing it to fight you, actually a real fight like you can do with a spinning rod for example is the last thing you want to do as you will lose the fish.

Most of the fish I have caught on a fly line (salmon mainly) will be up to fighting very hard to get away from the line I have them tied to in under 15 minutes as they are not stressed too much and will go on for hours, however the spinning rod caught salmon will totally wear out by the time I reel them in and within 15 minutes on the line I tie them to will be floating sideways and die.

Difference being having a salmon on a fly line for 30-45 minutes when fly fishing and fighting them in under 10 minutes on a spinning rod.

Dimitri

wow you fellas sure know how to get all worked up bout your methods. I use ALL methods to catch trout. most of what we catch are between 2-4 pound. the fly rod comes out if its not windy and the kids are behaving. they spin fish and both catch fish. my nearest n dearest will spin for a while then pop out a worm sit back and relax. I dont mind trolling from the tinny spinning or casting a #12 cochy bondo or whatever else ive dreamed up n tied. the lake we fish has alot of small fish so we troll with single hooks not trebles as is the norm as we find it easier to release quickly. my favourite set up is a tassie devil threaded on the line then a snap swivel with a single hook. when fish gets to boat if we want to release it I grab lure with one hand so I dont loose it if fish breaks off then I can grab the snap swivel /hook and turn it upside down and fish drops off very short distance back into lake sometimes doesnt even get out of water. if we wanna eat it out with net and a red deer spike to ikky it . you guys all seem to care about your fish and want them looked after. stop fighting amongst yourselves and look after the enviroment. tightlines

Elvis,

Just friendly picking on each other, no harm intended.

Dimitri

And I disagree with Dimitri. I'm a spin fisherman. Figure if they won't bite the spoon at least I might bop'em on the head with the spoon...

Spin fishing is as much of an art as fly fishing. Not much difference except the lure is heavier...And you will have to fight them just as long and sometimes longer as I use light tackle when trout, steelhead or salmon fishing in streams or at sea.

It took me 45 minutes to subdue a 35 lb salman in the American River in california. 12 lb main line with 8 lb leader 6 ft long and all on a 6 oz spinning rod...

Well Bushy, you should come to the rivers here, everyone uses the newer braided lines, at 40-60 pound test, and give her to get the fish in.

Dimitri

Yup...A portable yard crane with 1/2" wire rope spooled on...

To think if they could carry it they would probably use it!

Dimitri