12-23-2010, 04:38 PM
[cool][#0000ff]This is the time of year that ice fishermen catch a lot of "heat" from passionate troutaholics about NOT allowing trout to flop on the ice or snow. This issue has already surfaced on the Idaho board this season and has been tossed out here on a couple of threads. I was also contacted by a float tuber - fly flinger who was attacked on the fly fishing board...and in a PM...for posting a picture of a trout from a community pond laying briefly on the snow for a photo.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Last year I started trying to research the subject of what harm it does to fish to allow them to lay on the ice for a short period while unhooking them for release or while taking pictures. I am a pretty fair internet jockey but I have still been unable to find any published reports on mortality figures for subjecting fish to brief "time outs" on the ice or snow.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There are those among the fly fishing groups who bash ice anglers for putting trout on ice..."because it is like putting your
on an ice cube." That is about the most preposterous thing I have heard so far. I cannot ever recall seeing a fish flash frozen to the ice upon contact. In fact, as most of us dedicated ice anglers know, fish seldom freeze to the ice at all...even after hours at sub zero temps. They become fish sicles but still do not freeze to the ice...and are easily gathered up when it is time to leave.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I do not discount that extended exposure to below freezing temperatures will adversely affect the eyes, the gills and the outer layers of skin and flesh on ANY fish. But many fish seemingly have an "antifreeze" component in their living tissues that reduce or negate short term effects of extreme cold and they may be released with little apparent damage after a couple of pics.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I believe that any fish you plan to release should be released in the hole, with forceps removing the hook. But, whenever you bring the fish "on deck" it is probably more harmful to lay it on a dry cloth surface...or heavy gloves...than on the ice. Snow and ice do much less to remove protective slime layers than dry rough cloth surfaces...or dry hands.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been ice fishing for many years, and have fished with others much more knowledgeable than myself in matters of fish biology. I have never had any of these fellow anglers suggest that it is wrong to allow fish to rest briefly on the ice or snow. And, if you watch the fishing shows on TV, there are many recognized authorities on fish and fishing that routinely slide their fish out onto the ice as a part of the landing and control process. Hopefully they would not do that if it was likely to increase the mortality.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Without input or published facts from recognized authorities on the subject, I tend to discount the seriousness of the problem...of short term exposure to ice or snow. But, I REALLY DON'T KNOW. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Anybody else out there have personal opinions or observations they can contribute?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Last year I started trying to research the subject of what harm it does to fish to allow them to lay on the ice for a short period while unhooking them for release or while taking pictures. I am a pretty fair internet jockey but I have still been unable to find any published reports on mortality figures for subjecting fish to brief "time outs" on the ice or snow.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There are those among the fly fishing groups who bash ice anglers for putting trout on ice..."because it is like putting your
on an ice cube." That is about the most preposterous thing I have heard so far. I cannot ever recall seeing a fish flash frozen to the ice upon contact. In fact, as most of us dedicated ice anglers know, fish seldom freeze to the ice at all...even after hours at sub zero temps. They become fish sicles but still do not freeze to the ice...and are easily gathered up when it is time to leave.[/#0000ff][#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I do not discount that extended exposure to below freezing temperatures will adversely affect the eyes, the gills and the outer layers of skin and flesh on ANY fish. But many fish seemingly have an "antifreeze" component in their living tissues that reduce or negate short term effects of extreme cold and they may be released with little apparent damage after a couple of pics.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I believe that any fish you plan to release should be released in the hole, with forceps removing the hook. But, whenever you bring the fish "on deck" it is probably more harmful to lay it on a dry cloth surface...or heavy gloves...than on the ice. Snow and ice do much less to remove protective slime layers than dry rough cloth surfaces...or dry hands.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have been ice fishing for many years, and have fished with others much more knowledgeable than myself in matters of fish biology. I have never had any of these fellow anglers suggest that it is wrong to allow fish to rest briefly on the ice or snow. And, if you watch the fishing shows on TV, there are many recognized authorities on fish and fishing that routinely slide their fish out onto the ice as a part of the landing and control process. Hopefully they would not do that if it was likely to increase the mortality.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Without input or published facts from recognized authorities on the subject, I tend to discount the seriousness of the problem...of short term exposure to ice or snow. But, I REALLY DON'T KNOW. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Anybody else out there have personal opinions or observations they can contribute?[/#0000ff]
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