Releasing nearly all the fish I catch is something I have grown into over the years.
This has been a very personal, very natural evolution.
Living salmon are incredibly beautiful, vibrant creatures.
Over time, I have learned to see how death dissipates their sparkle. The difference is obvious to anyone who looks closely at live- and dead-fish photos. They’re not the same. Not even close.
When I say that I release nearly all the fish I catch, I mean that occasionally, rarely, a salmon will take a fly so deeply that it bleeds to death. This is typically a result of being hooked in a gill arch. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.
Some of my friends release many of their henfish and routinely kill bucks. Some kill bright fish and release those that aren’t quite chrome. Some release wild fish and methodically kill hatchery fish.
I have no dictates, no right-or-wrong formula for anyone who reads this. Find your own path on the kill or release question. My personal evolution to this place took time.
I wish, in retrospect, I had been mentored on catch-and-release fishing when I was a young angler. I never knew the benefit of a teacher explaining options to me, so I blundered along, fishing and harvesting like I saw others do.
My youngest son, Jackson, says “promise me you won’t kill a fish today, Dada. “
This, now, is an easy promise to keep.
JN
Hey Jay,
This past fall season, a half dozen majestic Kings apparently decided I was now ready to pass through the next gate of enlightenment, and accordingly instructed me on the art of the no hands release, usually close enough that I could clearly note the grateful smile from a hen, or the mirthful smirk from a male. And as to that ridiculously large male I fought for an hour up and down the river, 9 wt. TFO switch rod bent like a cheap barroom pretzel, Orvis Mach 4 reel whirring out hundred yard plus runs withe the sound of a sweat shop workers sewing machine? Just as it unpinned right next to the boat, I’m quite sure I heard it emit a distinct laugh before languidly finning away!!
The “no hands” release is my favorite. Steelhead do it to me. Kings do it to me. They seem, apparently, to think I want to eat ‘em. Didn’t read my blog about release philosophy, so decide to take matters in their own control. Glad you had so much fun, Lance. Your attitude is first-class. We love these fish, respect them, and cherish our moments on the river in their presence. (JN)
Agreed, the only picture worth while is one of a fish just moments before bursting away to safety. I often wonder why I even torment these creatures that I have come to love so much, but my walk in this life is imperfect. “Easy buddy”, said as I reach into the water. Delicate like a surgeon, the hook backs out and the fish is freed. I cannot ignore this passion to challenge the fish, so I compromise. I need not a photo or a fish for dinner, I need to feel welcome upon my return. And when one cannot survive, a moment of humbled silence. “You did not die in vein, my dear friend”.