Catch and Release

AS SEEN IN THE JULY/AUGUST 2005 ISSUE

It really bothers me when I watch a fishing show or pick up a magazine and see professional and non-professional anglers firmly gripping fish they are intending on releasing. Often they can be seen grabbing the fish’s bellies or sticking their hands inside the fish’s gills while posing for pictures. They hold fish against their clothes which rubs off their protective slime coat. The last time I checked humans don’t need a coat of slime. Not to mention, the entire time they are doing this, the fish CAN’T BREATHE.
I’ve also watched professionals on TV jokingly heave poor fish backwards 20ft over their head, only to slap the water sideways,
real funny. How would they like it if someone held them underwater for 3 to 5 minutes, and then threw them in the air for a nice belly flop? I think most anglers don’t realize and most pros forget these are game fish. Take what you will for the dinner table, but don’t abuse and/or possibly kill the ones you are going to release.
Please do an article on proper release and tag procedures and why they need to be followed. Novices and pros alike need a little reminder where there pleasure and profit come from. If you treated friends and/or clients like that, you would have few of either!
Granted you are not going to change everyone or save every fish, but for the sake of a little ink, even one person or one fish would be a step in the right direction.

Thanks for an outstanding mag!
Victor Sirbola
Concerned Angler

Dear Victor, Thank you for your valid concerns. Please turn to page --- Follow Link to - "Let Them Live" ----this one is for you.