08-24-2003, 10:14 PM
[font "Tahoma"][#336699][size 3]Playing, Landing, and Releasing Steelhead[/size][/#336699][/font]
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As most people know, catch and release of steelhead is a very important practice to ensure some fish around for years to come. Even though this process sounds very simple there are a few things a person can learn to better help the fish and the fisherman. Playing and landing of the fish also has a direct influence on how the fish is to be released. Learning the proper ways is vital to a healthy fish being returned to the water to fight another day.
Playing Steelhead:
One the initial hook up I tend to let the reels drag do the work. One important thing is to keep the line tight (but not to tight) and a good bend in the rod. If you flatten the rod out and point it directly at the fish all the pressure is placed on the delicate tippet and SNAP!!! the fish is gone. In my mind, a steelhead fights out of panic, going crazy for short periods of time then settling down. When the fish settles down I feel that if the fish is not pulling you, you should be pulling him. I try to keep myself just slightly down stream of the fish. If he takes a monstrous run down stream and you cant pursue, sometimes letting the line go completely slack can turn the fish around. Now, when the fish has settled down its time to start with the side pressure. I do this by placing my rod parallel to the ground on the down stream-side of the fish. Make sure to keep a good bend in the rod. Now, just start pumping and reeling like you normally would, just keep that rod bent and parallel to the ground. Why bother with this technique??? 3 reasons. Reason 1. In mid-fight you are moving from defense to offense. You are no longer trying to lift the fish. You are turning him and knocking the fish of balance. This technique cuts the fight time by more than half. Reason 2. This will force the fish to fight hard during the entire battle. The good thing here is that the fish will fight you for a shorter duration but more violently. 3rd and best reason is that hopefully the steelhead you catch will be released healthy. By expending the fish's energy quickly studies have shown that the fish's recovery time is shorter and complete. If the fight is prolonged more than necessary the lactic acid build up inside the fish could kill it. Sometimes not until hours after the fight. Now, your late in the fight and your steelhead is entering the shallows near shore. One more trick the fish pulls can get you. When the fish enters the shallow water and feels it's belly touching bottom it realizes it's in serious trouble and gathers all its strength and bolts away towards deeper water. This has broken a many a tippets and pulled many a hooks. At this point keep the rod tip high to keep the possibly badly frayed tippet out of the rocks. Some big'ol bucks can play this game for several minutes so be patient.
Landing Fish:
When on my own which is nearly 100% of the time, I like to tail the fish utilizing a wool glove. Yes, I know that strips its protective slime off but I think it's better. A wool glove enables me to not have to squeeze the fish to hard, and I don’t have to worry about dropping the fish on the rocks and sand when he decides to start flopping around. I try to keep the fish out of the water as short of time as possible. Use hemostats to take the fly out and quickly get the fish back into the water. If you have a buddy just use the above information but have him tail the fish. Just make sure he or she is good at it. Also, I ALWAYS try NOT to use a landing net. I feel that it does terrible damage to the fish. Strips all of the slime of and tears up the fins badly. Another important key is to always try to keep the fish over water and low to the ground. This is so that if the fish still has any fight in her and wants to squirm and accidentally falls out of your hands, the fish is not hurt. If at all possible try NEVER to take the fish out of the water. That is the best way to handle and release the fish. The fish can be often be handled and controlled just as easily if not more easy in the water, than if he were held chest high out of the water.
Releasing Steelhead:
A good rule of thumb is that high water temps, long fights and poor handling are deadly on steelhead. I like to walk my fish out into some soft current areas. You don’t have to move the fish back and forth to get water over its gills. Hold the steelhead into the current facing directly upstream, then just hold the fish their upright until he starts to try to kick out of your hand. If the fish can do this chances are that he will survive to fight another day. Also, one important thing to remember is to be kind to the fish. Pretend it’s you in the water.[/size][/font]
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As most people know, catch and release of steelhead is a very important practice to ensure some fish around for years to come. Even though this process sounds very simple there are a few things a person can learn to better help the fish and the fisherman. Playing and landing of the fish also has a direct influence on how the fish is to be released. Learning the proper ways is vital to a healthy fish being returned to the water to fight another day.
Playing Steelhead:
One the initial hook up I tend to let the reels drag do the work. One important thing is to keep the line tight (but not to tight) and a good bend in the rod. If you flatten the rod out and point it directly at the fish all the pressure is placed on the delicate tippet and SNAP!!! the fish is gone. In my mind, a steelhead fights out of panic, going crazy for short periods of time then settling down. When the fish settles down I feel that if the fish is not pulling you, you should be pulling him. I try to keep myself just slightly down stream of the fish. If he takes a monstrous run down stream and you cant pursue, sometimes letting the line go completely slack can turn the fish around. Now, when the fish has settled down its time to start with the side pressure. I do this by placing my rod parallel to the ground on the down stream-side of the fish. Make sure to keep a good bend in the rod. Now, just start pumping and reeling like you normally would, just keep that rod bent and parallel to the ground. Why bother with this technique??? 3 reasons. Reason 1. In mid-fight you are moving from defense to offense. You are no longer trying to lift the fish. You are turning him and knocking the fish of balance. This technique cuts the fight time by more than half. Reason 2. This will force the fish to fight hard during the entire battle. The good thing here is that the fish will fight you for a shorter duration but more violently. 3rd and best reason is that hopefully the steelhead you catch will be released healthy. By expending the fish's energy quickly studies have shown that the fish's recovery time is shorter and complete. If the fight is prolonged more than necessary the lactic acid build up inside the fish could kill it. Sometimes not until hours after the fight. Now, your late in the fight and your steelhead is entering the shallows near shore. One more trick the fish pulls can get you. When the fish enters the shallow water and feels it's belly touching bottom it realizes it's in serious trouble and gathers all its strength and bolts away towards deeper water. This has broken a many a tippets and pulled many a hooks. At this point keep the rod tip high to keep the possibly badly frayed tippet out of the rocks. Some big'ol bucks can play this game for several minutes so be patient.
Landing Fish:
When on my own which is nearly 100% of the time, I like to tail the fish utilizing a wool glove. Yes, I know that strips its protective slime off but I think it's better. A wool glove enables me to not have to squeeze the fish to hard, and I don’t have to worry about dropping the fish on the rocks and sand when he decides to start flopping around. I try to keep the fish out of the water as short of time as possible. Use hemostats to take the fly out and quickly get the fish back into the water. If you have a buddy just use the above information but have him tail the fish. Just make sure he or she is good at it. Also, I ALWAYS try NOT to use a landing net. I feel that it does terrible damage to the fish. Strips all of the slime of and tears up the fins badly. Another important key is to always try to keep the fish over water and low to the ground. This is so that if the fish still has any fight in her and wants to squirm and accidentally falls out of your hands, the fish is not hurt. If at all possible try NEVER to take the fish out of the water. That is the best way to handle and release the fish. The fish can be often be handled and controlled just as easily if not more easy in the water, than if he were held chest high out of the water.
Releasing Steelhead:
A good rule of thumb is that high water temps, long fights and poor handling are deadly on steelhead. I like to walk my fish out into some soft current areas. You don’t have to move the fish back and forth to get water over its gills. Hold the steelhead into the current facing directly upstream, then just hold the fish their upright until he starts to try to kick out of your hand. If the fish can do this chances are that he will survive to fight another day. Also, one important thing to remember is to be kind to the fish. Pretend it’s you in the water.[/size][/font]
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