Measuring fish

[mickmcco]

One of my first guides, on the Bighorn, told me he'd measure a fish for me if I caught one that was big enough. After I caught and released several largish fish, he decided that a nice rainbow I caught was worthy of measurement, at which point he rolled up his sleeve, laid it along his forearm, and proclaimed it a 23" fish. "How do you know?" I asked. "Well," he said, "the last time I was in the tattoo parlor I had them add this line on my arm that's exactly 18" from the end of my middle finger. I used to carry a tape, but kept losing it. Never had that problem again."

[Byron haugh]

I have an idea for a new phone app. It would measure the fish from a photo. Believe me, it could be done. Would be quite useful......

[mickmcco]

I personally believe in the "life of the fish" method of measurement. Let's say that three years ago, you caught a 12 inch trout. And that a trout might grow three or four inches a year. Then it's only natural, in the life of that fish, that it could now be a 20 inch trout. So "I caught a trout that is 20 inches long" might well be a true statement. Just sayin'.

[Byron haugh]

Why would one want to say that? The older/larger trout are, generally, the more difficult to catch, and, especially, to land.