Yes, please conserve the resource and use proper release techniques. Now having said that, there are way too many tree hugging bastids that think their way of bowing down at the alter of the fish is the only way.
I release most fish that I catch, but tonight I am going to put some of their flesh to coals on the grill and burn their flesh to the desired point and totally enjoy eating a few fish. They are fish, not people. Treat the fish with respect, conserve the resource, let many times more go than you eat if you fish more than just a few days a year, but if you wish to take one and eat it do so - you are not a bad person.
I once landed a 30" carp on a 3 wt with 6 X tippet. This fish took 52 minutes to land. It was netted only when it gave up and turned on it’s side and while that fish was released it probably died of being overplayed on light tackle. It was a very memorable battle, but not one that I wish to partake of again. Now the weapon of choice is a 6 to 8 wt. I enjoy the battle, I like hearing my drag work (I paid for an expensive drag and I am going to use it on fish that make it work). I don’t like to over play fish, any fish to kill it, just to kill it.
Truth is that many catch and release fisherman will kill many fish even with good release practices. I have had days of catching 50 fish on small streams, many of them admittedly smaller dumb brookies. Even though they were all released, I don’t believe that they all survived and I don’t try to pretend that they all did. I accept that some may die, but I do whatever I can to handle the fish properly and then I sleep well at night.
Good luck finding your own political/moral answer and realizing that is what you are looking to resolve.
That’s why I practice a new (well, maybe not so new) technique called “early release”…you let the fish go without landing it. It takes lots of practice to master it but it is possible.
My fishing buddy kept on telling me it was also called losing your fish but whatever lol
If you want to take that new technique all the way, just break off the hooks behind the barb. That way, when you do “hook up” all you have to do to release the fish is relax pressure on it and say “adios.” And it does take more skill to land fish, if that is what you are into.
First off, I was referring to a lake near where I live (90 miles I think it was), and it is in fact a mud hole. Highly over advertised, and stocked with a few bought fish to draw the unknowing in to pay their gate fee’s. One I will not return to. FYI
I will move as far as necessary to find an open area away from “elbow bumpers”.
I was raised that way. Just because there is open bank next to someone does not mean you settle in and start casting over their line. You move further up or down the water (creek) and let them fish the spot they found first.
That is Sportsmanship. And that is having some manners when fishing.
I’ve seen coyotes, raccoons, and fish hawks all helping themselves to dead or dieing fish. And I’m always thankful the fish didn’t go to waste. I’ve also witnessed the aftermath of fishing tournaments, and the dead fish blown up in the slower backwaters a week later. Trophy bass, just wasted, not even the birds picking at them. And that means dozens of fish less to fish for later.
But then, I’ve also seen New York traffic. Once. It was enough. So I’m not at all surprised at your reply.
I may not have been too clear about the spacing of the fishermen on the river, as my point was the overplaying of the fish. I said the guy hooked the fish about 150 feet above me, and then followed it downstream for about a hundred yards. I also said that several fishermen, including me reeled in to let him by.
Actually, there was only one other guy between me and the guy that hooked the fish. The rest of the several fishermen were scattered through the hundred yards or so that he played the fish, including a few below where he landed the fish that reeled in and moved up out of curiosity.
The Farmington, due to it’s proximity to population centers, can get pretty busy, but it is a fair sized river that can be fished from both banks, and in the past twenty years that I have fished it, I have never been “elbow to elbow” with other fishermen, but I have rarely been out of sight of other fishermen.
I probably underplay most of the fish I catch. They are always rambunctious when brought to hand. Very rarely have I had to resuscitate a fish, like I see on the fishing shows.
You ever get out to California, George, I’ll volunteer to take you fishing to places that will have you packing up back there in New Yawk City to move West.
The only person nearby would be me watching.
Actually, I’m from a small town in MA, about an hour’s drive from the Farmington, which is in CT. The Farmington does get a lot of traffic from population centers in CT and NY, but is a very productive stream, with year round hatches, so it remains one of my favorites, despite the other fishermen.
Here in the east, you just get used to seeing other fishermen, so it becomes “no big deal”, unless they get too close, at which point, I simply move. I know some spots here in MA and in NH, where I rarely see other fishermen, but they are few and far between.
If I ever get back to CA, I’ll take you up on your offer.
Inyo/Mono Counties, My Man.
My Grand Dad started my Dad fishing the Eastern High Sierras in 1934.
Dad and Mom took us kids there all of our childhood until Mom developed high blood pressure and we had to stay in lower elevations.
But this summer my Sisters and I had a family reunion up there and hiked and fished the mountains we’ve always loved.
It’s crowded in places anymore , but one can always find solace there amongst the tall trees and mosquitoes. Just walk or drive to where nobody is.
When we were kids in the 1950’s, often we were the only ones in a camping area.
Love those ice cold creeks and crystal clear lakes!
A chunk of us trooping up to one of the lakes we always went to. 2.5 miles of high altitude hiking.
Kinda reminds me of the Sierra Buttes area of my youth…thanks Sonny, think i’ll go a’ flyfishin’ again today ! Oh, is it a secret lake or can you say the name. I’ve been up to Parker and Walker if you know of those.
Hello everyone. I just wanted to impart my thanks for the opinions, direction, etc. that have been expressed in response to my post. They are very much appreciated, and I have greatly enjoyed reading them.
OK, well it is apparently world renown now anyway. We used to spend 2-4 weeks at a time up on Rock Creek in the 1950’s. Back then Dad had a 1952 Studebaker he’d pull the trailer with. Took all night to get there, 9 hours.
At least once we would hike in to Chickenfoot Lake right at 11,000 foot in elevation. Many was the time Dad would carry me one way or both ways. I was 2 years old the first time in 1952. I was too sickly the first year so we couldn’t go.
The old Stude could only get the trailer to the first bridge on Rock Creek. So we usually were camped there or a little below like in Frenchman’s Flat before there was a Frenchman’s flat.
We would drive to the end of the road at Mosquito Flats and there was the trail head. First climb was Crankcase Hill. There was a few old 1920’s era cars that broke down there and never were removed until the 70’s or 80’s. I wish the forest service would have left them alone! They were landmarks!
Although it is a bit more crowded now, and way over pressured, there are still lots of small brookies to be had.
They took out the campground at the flats and put in a paved parking lot, and bear boxes for your food. There goes the neighborhood! Take out the campground, and pave the alpine meadow. Somebody needs slapped upside the head. With a hammer. :roll:
Here, more can’t hurt it much more than it has been wrecked since my childhood. Make some memories, before the Forest Service in its infinite dumbness closes it clear off. Rock Creek Lake Rock Creek Fly Fishing
The lakes, Rock Creek, and the scenery are some of the most breathtaking there is! Long Lake, about 1/2 a mile from Chickenfoot. My 4 Sisters and little Betty Boop at the turn to Chickenfoot.
We range from 50 to 64, with me at 59. We all fish, we all hike, and we all love the High Sierra’s.
Respect it. Carry out more than you carry in (yes, there are a few litter bugs), And enjoy it!
We may never pass that way again. It about did Little Betty in! :lol:
But I do hope to take some of my Grand kids up some day. I have one 8 year old Grand Son who is like a shadow. And he is a very accomplished fisherman already. He wants to fly fish as well. We’ve been learning him on the front lawn.
Soon. Very soon, I need to take him up there…
Thanks Sonny, that’s quite a post and story. What great places and yeah, get it while you can. They should have made a Natl. Park out of the entire eastern slope a hundred years ago. I see the first group pic by
a certain lake and what a great shot…that last one of you, Sisters and BB says, ‘happy campers’…hey Sonny, you’re a rich man and oh yeah, get the 8 yr old up there soon. These days it goes fast when the powers that be decide to wreck things.
You made me feel at home in the posts and i can relate to a place over the hill and north by north west a bit…we camped out of a 38 stude and had a great time in 50…should have gone more 'cause they did the olympics just across the road one year…ruined the whole thing forever.
, but one can always find solace there amongst the tall trees and mosquitoes. Just walk or drive to where nobody is.
