110 Rainbow trout in one night:

[Polelock]

We all like to catch fish but,,, We also know how fragile trout can be... Now I'm sure the fish were handled with care but do we know for sure that they all survived??

Here is an article from CT..

http://articles.courant.com/2006-09-...sion-fishermen

Here is one mortality report

Now that we've covered the basics of preserving your catch for the dinner table, lets look at the proper etiquette for releasing fish. A recent study done at Queens University in Ontario, Canada which looked at physiological effects of brief air exposure in exhaustively exercised (played out) rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss), is very revealing and educational toward showing just how precarious and detrimental, improper catch and releasing fishing can be. I will be the first to say that even as a professional fishing guide and well accomplished recreational sportfisherman, I did not know all the facts when it comes to releasing the quarry of my angling efforts.

I will attempt to share with you the most scientifically substantiated information I have seen on catch and release methods. The study looked at survival rates of played out rainbow trout that were also exposed to air for 60 seconds, 30 seconds, and 0 seconds. Additionally, the survival rates on non-exercised rainbow trout were used as a control for the study. Get ready, the results are surprising.

As you'd expect, the control group had a 100% survival rate. The rainbow trout that were exhaustively exercised and not exposed to air survived at an 88% rate. However, the rate of survival for fish exposed to air for 30 seconds was only 62%, and those that were held out of the water for 60 seconds had a mere 28% chance of living to fight another day. The researchers attributed the higher mortality among fish exposed to air to a significant reduction of oxygen content in the fish's blood.

If these statistics leave you wondering or unconvinced, consider the following analogy: Holding a fish out of the water for 60 seconds or even 30 seconds would be like a human running full speed for a half an hour and then immediately being submerged in water for up to one full minute. Many of us would not fare very well under those conditions and if we did survive, we'd surely carry some ill effects, some possibly permanent.

This study will change the pace of my Kodak moment and expedite the time it takes me to put my catch back into the water. Ideally, keeping the fish submerged in the water while you take pictures will help tremendously toward making sure the fish doesn't eventually go belly up.

Some other important methods for handling fish you intend to release include touching the fish as little as possible, not squeezing the fish, and never putting your fingers inside the fish's gills. The more you handle a fish and run your hand(s) along its sides, the more that fish is likely to be depleted of its protective slime layer, thus increasing its risk of fungal infection and decreasing its ability to gracefully cut through the water. See also the article on how to release fish.

I like to run my hand along the leader to the fish's mouth and grasp the hook firmly until I can pinch it with a pair of pliers, using the weight of the fish to pull it loose. A lot of times (unless the hook is in an awkward position) I don't even touch the fish at all. When you hold a fish by squeezing it in the palm of your hand, you are not only removing its protective slime, but also possibly injuring its internal organs.

Equally important and potentially life-threatening to the fish is putting your finger(s) in their gills. A fish's gills are among their most fragile and crucial organs. Evolution has provided them protective gill plates to prevent anything from entering or piercing this fragile area. But unknowing anglers will routinely use this gill plate to hold their catch and although this is fine when you intend to keep the fish, it's a bad deal if a release is planned.

[Leif]

Reminds me of the striper reports this Spring...... It's "funny" how some things/reports you see can turn you off to fishing, even when you love to fish.

When sport is removed from the equation and fishing just becomes a numbers game, it is not enjoyable to me or fair to the fish as far as I am concerned.

I agree with Almaink


Leif

[Lard Almighty]

Maybe the reason why lakers are taking over RV is because of the guys putting a hurting on the rainbows and browns like that?

[Michael82929]

No one wants to see fish go belly up / and keep the conservation of the species, but if presented with the same circumstance, unless I had to leave them biting (which I have on numerous occasions) - it would be hard for me to leave something like that.

I respect the opinions of members on this board but I have to equally respect someone who wouldnt mind having a nite like that.

I would hope (and will give benefit of the doubt they are) - diehards like that, respect the fishery and do everything they can to release fish unharmed so they can have continued success for future trips to come.

If they dont, it would be a shame and hope they get educated quick. These fish shouldnt be leaving the water, using small (hopefully barbless) hooks, and if keeping, only keeping the fish that you think wont make it.

[Polelock]

I'm sure Ed and Dennis do everything possible to release them as quickly and respectfully as possible. I am just concerned at what happens after they swim away...

[Wilson]

I've done the night fishing at RVR 2 or 3 times.
All the fish caught died after release, only caught about three or four.
With three guys fishing the total limit is 6 fish over 15", and they claim 110 and they must of caught lots of shorts.
I woulda thought RVF.com would be more conservation minded

Fat Eagles is right

[Michael82929]

agreed polelock..

[lebanonsport]

Originally Posted by Wilson

I've done the night fishing at RVR 2 or 3 times.
All the fish caught died after release, only caught about three or four.
With three guys fishing the total limit is 6 fish over 15", and they claim 110 and they must of caught lots of shorts.
I woulda thought RVF.com would be more conservation minded

Fat Eagles is right

These were not members of RVF.com- they were member of Hunterdon Anglers. I don't think this is meant to bash anyone from any clubs. This is meant to educate those that don't understand that catching that many fish in one night during summer months is actually hurting the fishery. This is a trophy trout lake; if the small fish are continuously killed off they are not being given a chance to grow. Fish for lakers this time of year, it is a challenge - they are at 100'.

[Wilson]

Originally Posted by lebanonsport

These were not members of RVF.com- they were member of Hunterdon Anglers. I don't think this is meant to bash anyone from any clubs. This is meant to educate those that don't understand that catching that many fish in one night during summer months is actually hurting the fishery. This is a trophy trout lake; if the small fish are continuously killed off they are not being given a chance to grow. Fish for lakers this time of year, it is a challenge - they are at 100'.

The report was posted on http://roundvalleyfishing.com/2012/0...double-anchor/ That's not bashing, it's reality.
They should take the post down. And from what I have read on this thread, the Hunterdon Anglers Club are the ones that need to be educated

[NorthJerzyG]

Originally Posted by Leif

When sport is removed from the equation and fishing just becomes a numbers game, it is not enjoyable to me or fair to the fish as far as I am concerned.

+1.

I think I would have gotten bored after 50 or so and switched to a different target species. I'd want to set a record for size of fish caught, not number of fish caught.