Speyducer
Advisory Board
Release to spawn another day
Posts: 4,123
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Post by Speyducer on Oct 1, 2008 20:55:26 GMT
The Norwegian research in later years also notes that released Atlantics do tend to alter their migration pattern/speed after such release, and that this may have implications for fishing near spawning times. Long-term effects of catch-and-release angling on ascending Atlantic salmon during different stages of spawning migration Auteur(s) / Author(s) THORSTAD Eva B. (1) ; NAESJE Tor F. (1) ; LEINAN Ivar (2) ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s) (1) Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Tungasletta 2, 7485 Trondheim, NORVEGE (2) Aita Laksefiskeri Interessentskap (ALI), Steinfossv. 1, 9518 Alta, NORVEGE cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=18838586This research implies or suggests that catching & then releasing a salmon near spawning time may reduce its ability to migrate upstream as successfully as non-caught fish, and thus reduce its ability to partake in the spawning process. This may have implications for justifying continuation of rod & line fishing for Atlantics towards the end of the season when the fish are nearing spawning time. Mike
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Speyducer
Advisory Board
Release to spawn another day
Posts: 4,123
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Post by Speyducer on Oct 1, 2008 21:07:01 GMT
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Post by sinkingtip on Oct 1, 2008 22:06:05 GMT
Hi J. Regarding the mortality rates of returned fish I, unfortunately, cannot furnish you with any stats whatsoever - perhaps others such as Mike can. I think it is fair to assume that a percentage - hopefully a very small percentage - will not survive after release for whatever reason - stress and bleeding come immediately to mind. However, on the rivers North and South Esk's where compulsory C+R is LAW up to the 1st June, I have never seen a white bellied bar of silver float down past me - and these are fairly small rivers. OK - maybe mink or otters have got there first. "What sort of thought process goes into returning a silver cock fish? Is the length of fight considered, time to revive....?" If you mean would you 'chap' a fish that has been played over a certain time span and is therefore 'bound' to die ? ..... then the answer would be "no". Obviously you should try to play and land your fish as quickly as conditions dictate but this can depend on a number of factors - most of which will normally be outwith your control. Thankfully I have never 'lost' a fish which was in the process of being revived although granted, it can sometimes take a fair bit of time, patience and care before you see them swim off contentedly back to the depths - a truly wonderful feeling I am sure you will agree. "What goes through your head the moment the fish is on?... I can't wait to put it back....I want this on the bank as soon as possible..OR...this isn't getting away from me?"None of the above I'm afraid. For me it starts with an overwhelming sense of total elation - basically, Nirvana has been arrived at. This euphoric sense of wellbeing is usually short lived and quickly degenerates into what can only be described as a mild form of candy coated terror. At the point where the fish is safely netted, briefly admired and returned unharmed, a heady mixture of contentment and pride prevails and envelopes both myself and those fortunate enough to be around me - ken ? It's either that or "I wonder what Mrs Tip's put in the piece box today ?" "Do you have a cut off point during the fight when you think you have stressed the fish too much?"Not as such, but there is a point where you have to decide that the length of time being taken to play this fish is becoming excessive and that, in the interests of the fish, perhaps you need to 'do something' quickly as in all probability it will be something that you (the angler) is doing wrong (or NOT doing at all) which is unnecessarily extending the length of play thus preventing the fish from being brought to the net. "I sometimes do a great adversary the honour of making it into a great meal".And why not ? Just try to make sure it is not a hen and it's within the recommended or legal guidelines of that river - thereafter the 'moral' decision can only be made by the individual angler. At least try to ensure that ketchup doesn't feature. "I am neither a fishmonger nor trophy hunter".We never thought for a moment you were J. We are all 'hunters' -if we weren't we would be fishing for rainbows or shooting clay's. "A heated debate will no doubt ensue?"Yes, but probably from the clay shooting fraternity regarding my last comment. regards STip
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Post by neptune on Oct 2, 2008 15:11:43 GMT
surely if you think you have played a fish too long you would take longer to see if it would recover instead of just chapping it, i have seen anglers kneeling in the water holding what they thought would not survive then seeing a flick of the tail & off it goes, sadly i have also seen some chap coloured fish with in seconds of landing it saying the flee was in to far
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Post by greenman on Oct 20, 2008 11:44:05 GMT
Very poor pic on recent catches section of fishtweed just now of a large coloured cock caught at traquair. Looks dead as a dodo to me Very poor show. The pic of the angler on the till in the water realeasing his coloured fish is a much better advert for salmon fishing ... Perhaps it's time for the tweed commisioners to impose much stricter rules for taking fish (say, no fish greater than such and such a size). Who would object? Beat owners? probably ... anglers? sadly some would, I for one would welcome such a development.
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Speyducer
Advisory Board
Release to spawn another day
Posts: 4,123
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Post by Speyducer on Oct 20, 2008 12:43:56 GMT
Poor show, yes!
I would say that the 14lber fly caught Till fish was a hen, and only slightly coloured but has a belly filling with spawn (been in a week or four!), and I would have returned that fish in any event. Well done to that angler.
The other fish, being an 18lber cock, also to the fly, taken 18th October is most likely too coloured to justify its dead looking demeanour, and should have also been returned. Bit flabby in the belly as it is being held indicates it's down on fat reserves, and would make poor eating in any event - from all aspects, a waste taking it!
Whilst not stated clearly in the beat/Fishtweed/Tweed condidtions regarding taking coloured fish, it is a very poor advert having that picture on the Fishtweed site - it is definitely sending the wrong message, and during a very good week for Tweed catches, I'm sure that they could have found a better fish to represent the river & its potential this late in the season.
Mike
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salmo
Advisory Board
Posts: 1,814
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Post by salmo on Oct 25, 2008 14:25:13 GMT
Great links Mike and very reassuring survival rates. There is probably a thread somewhere on handling skills. If releasing after a long fight the best advice is to: 1. Minimise the time the fish is out out water 2. Make sure the fish can keep its balance 3. Make sure the fish can manage to get sufficient water running smoothly over its gills. If it is still gulping hard and cannot stay upright then you have to wait patiently. 4. Avoid launching the fish away (like a ship) from you in the belief that it will help the process as it can turn turtle a few yards out when you cannot provide assistance. 5. Hold the fish patiently in recovery and when the fish is ready to go and regains it senses it will naturally give a reflexive flick of its tail. 6. Do not waste time on an embedded hook just cut the line! There maybe other things but that will cover most situations. salmo
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