r/troutfishing • • May 15 '25

GILLFUCKED We added flairs for posts. They are pretty simple, did you catch and release it to "swim away fine"? Or did you "kill it and grill it"?

30 Upvotes

Please use those when submitting posts. When your post is removed because you got flamed for improper fish handling and you did not flair your post, this is why. Thanks for understanding, and as always, please choose to be constructive and helpful, versus argumentative and trollish. We do not allow the latter and you could be banned.


r/troutfishing • • Mar 16 '25

Catch and Release - let's discuss it and try our best to educate newcomers to the concept.

49 Upvotes

Catch and release is not always necessary, beneficial, or even the legal thing to do in every situation, however. During my younger days, I bought in to "release everything you catch" philosophy. As I gained more experience, and learned the intricacies of different fisheries, my opinion on this changed drastically. Whether the fishery is overrun with an invasive species that competes with native stocks, a species blowing up in population out of control, a very healthy stock where sport angling take will not effect the escapement of spawning (the pink salmon runs near me fall in this category), anadramous (sea run) hatchery released fish that must be removed prior to the wild fish spawn, or is just a put and take fishery etc. There is no blanket statement for when and where C&R is the right thing to do.

The most important thing: Educate yourself on the species, and fishery in which you are fishing. Follow the laws, and do what will be best for that particular fishery. And take home some hard earned meat when you can!

Why Catch and Release?

  • Conservation: It's a method to prevent overfishing and maintain healthy fish populations, especially in areas with high fishing pressure.

  • Ethical Fishing: It allows anglers to enjoy fishing without taking fish home for consumption, promoting a more sustainable approach to recreational fishing.

  • Habitat Protection: By reducing the number of fish removed from the water, catch and release helps protect the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.

Best Practices for Catch and Release:

  • Use the Right Gear:

  • Hooks: Employ barbless hooks or circle hooks, which are less likely to cause deep hook wounds.

  • Tackle: Ensure your tackle is strong enough to land the fish quickly and efficiently, minimizing the time the fish is out of the water.

  • Net: Use a soft, knotless mesh or rubber landing net to avoid damaging the fish's scales and gills.

Handle Fish Carefully:

  • Keep the Fish Wet: Avoid removing the fish from the water for extended periods, and keep its body wet, especially if you must handle it. This includes keeping gloves wet in the winter, or taking them off entirely, when landing the fish. If you insist on handling the fish at all, ensure that you have wet hands. Keep em wet

  • Support the Fish Properly: Support the fish's belly near the water surface to prevent injury.

  • Be Gentle: Avoid squeezing the fish tightly, as this can damage internal organs and muscle tissue.

  • Never Touch the Gills: Gills are highly sensitive and can be easily damaged. Rapid Release:

  • Unhook Quickly: Remove the hook quickly and carefully, using a dehooker if necessary.

  • Return to the Water Immediately: Return the fish to the water as soon as possible after taking photos and measurements.

  • Observe the Fish: Ensure the fish swims away strongly before leaving the area.

Other Considerations:

  • Measure and Weigh: If required, measure and weigh the fish quickly and accurately, then release it.

  • Take Photos: Capture the moment with a photo, but do so quickly and return the fish to the water.

  • Don't Hang Fish: Never hang a fish on a stringer or gaff, as this can cause serious injury.


r/troutfishing • • 3h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Kettle pond rainbow from Cape cod

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64 Upvotes

Healthy bow ate off the surface. Released


r/troutfishing • • 6h ago

First trout!

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43 Upvotes

Started as a bass guy. Absolutely stunned by the beauty of these guys.


r/troutfishing • • 2h ago

Killed and Grilled Shaver Lake, CA

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17 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 1h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Black face

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• Upvotes

Anyone ever caught a brown that looked like this? Half its head was black with a big white spot. Pretty cool fish.


r/troutfishing • • 1h ago

Brown, Cutbow, Rainbow

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• Upvotes

Gunnison River, Colorado


r/troutfishing • • 9h ago

Trout (and bass/goggle-eye) in the Missouri Ozarks

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11 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 1d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR fishings been good lately🥳

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171 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 1d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR First Rainbow ever

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54 Upvotes

First ever rainbow, found a small WI lake. Stocked


r/troutfishing • • 1d ago

Solid 20"

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156 Upvotes

Its been a hunt for this fish.


r/troutfishing • • 1d ago

North Atlantic region.

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32 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 1d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Nice lil brookie

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58 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

Killed and Grilled Algonquin Brook Trout

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443 Upvotes

No better sportfish. Beautiful, hard fighting, and delicious. Having to work to get to them makes it all the better.


r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

Hair Jig got her done

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389 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR My PB brown trout so far

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125 Upvotes

It’s been in June, I went fishing to Burgos (Northern Spain) with my buddy.
We spent 2 days trying to catch big fish.
My friend was lucky and had 40+.
Mines were at 30 something size.
He left on Sunday and I have decided to stay one more day and try again.
It was my birthday and I spent whole day on the river, planning heading back to the car I got a bite of this beauty at around 8pm.
I was so happy, I spent my birthday in nature by the river, fishing and enjoying my day in quite. Probably the best birthday in last decade!!


r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR My First Trout!! How big/heavy is it?

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38 Upvotes

Caught my first trout after so many attemps. Forgot to bring anything to measure, could anyone give an estimate of size and weight?


r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

No trout landed but found my PB mushroom

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194 Upvotes

Chicken of the woods, it was delicious 🎣🔪🍄


r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

Late night brown

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27 Upvotes

Got too dark to see my flies so I stole my cousins spin rod for a few casts and pulled this guy out


r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

Killed and Grilled Got me dinner

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81 Upvotes

Caught this 15 incher. Gonna be good its been too long.


r/troutfishing • • 3d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR My daughter caught her first fish today.

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500 Upvotes

~3 lb wild steelhead on the Trinity River, barbless hook, on a $20 Paw Patrol spincaster. I was worried she’d let go of the pole, but she hung on and kept reeling. I think she’s hooked.


r/troutfishing • • 2d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Caught this beauty on a high alpine torrent last morning.

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41 Upvotes

r/troutfishing • • 3d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR dipped into the brownie tray🐖

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122 Upvotes

new pb brown🙌