When I learned to fish, it was described as "more sportsmanlike" to just catch and release. I was an impressionable 15 y/o laddie. Since then I've taken my share of trout that over the years I've come to just tolerate due to the taste. It also didn't help my finding a cigarette butt in the stomach of one I was cleaning either. I've migrated these days to saltwater redfish and speckled trout which to me is like a fillet mignon.

I still fish for trout but I think it's instinctual more than cruelty, similar to when a cat catches a bird or mouse then plays with it. I don't give cats much in the way of brain power but plenty in way of instincts. So next time I'm trout fishing I may keep 1 maybe 2 but probably not unless it's a brookie or a brown. If it's redfish, then I'll keep my limit cause I can eat that all day and it's a healthier and tastier alternative to farmed catfish, KFC, McDougals and what not.