why do you fish? C&R or Consumption?

[fishnutts]

Seems to me, most of the Agitation occurs here between those that like to catch and eat the fish they catch, and those that like to catch and release fish, hoping one day to catch that trophy fish. I personally (not that anyone cares) prefer a little of both. I am not a big fish eater, i do enjoy an occasional fish dinner, but i do enjoy the thrill of an above average size fish tugging on the line. My personal perception, is that certain size fish are better for table fare (smaller fish), and that once they reach a certain size they are better off released, to grow bigger and maybe the next anglers trophy catch. I am not opposed to any regulations that would meet both requirements (slot limits included), and i am no biologist or fish and wildlife authority by any means, but i am guessing that is a very difficult job based on the many variables that occur from lake to lake and year to year. Those that are employed to manage are many lakes, i would believe have more insight, data, education then us to make a educated decision. All we can do is make suggestions, to what we would like Utah's fishing to be, based on our own personal fishing passions (if we are truly passionate to get off are a__es and go to the meetings). There should be no shame in expressing ones passion for the type of fishing one does, and no disrespect for those that disagree. (kidding amongst friends are exempt). Fishing is for enjoyment and relaxation, politics and religion are for arguing.[sly]

yours truly: Theroy the neighborhood drunk
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[flygoddess]

I would like to hear from anyone that objects to people legally keeping fish?
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[Duckbutter]

Honestly, I release more than I eat.

I have to admit I was tempted to just stir the pot.

There are many instances where people keeping fish would actually improve the fishery, (Middle Provo for YEARS) but many people opted not too. There are many places where the fishing can be good for those who want to warm up the smoker or fryer, where harvest will only improve balance within the fishery.

I typically call myself a fly and ice guy, but am not against any legal method of take and I do enjoy chasing kitties and making my feet sore from standing too long on our tile floor whittling away on grundles of perchskis.

I will admit this, trout NEVER GO IN MY FREEZER. If I'm not going to get to it fresh, it isn't being harvested. And frankly, I don't keep trout unless I know it's a place where the invertebrates keep them well fed and colorful on the inside. You all know the type.

Speaking of my tile floor, time to conjure up some lemon cilantro burbot.......
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[grndfisher]

C&R but have no problem with those who catch and eat.
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[fsh4fun05]

I release way more than I eat. When I do keep fish they are mainly perch and walleye and I am targeting fish for the live well. I will keep smallies on reservoirs where they are abundant, I'm a self proclaimed 'bass fisherman' but I'm not opposed to people keeping bass as long as they follow the laws, sometimes preaching c&r is like preaching religion and politics-pointless-but I still cringe when I see a big largemouth on a stringer. I like white flesh fish but I'll keep the occasional trout if it goes belly up after a quick fight to the boat. Trout on the smoker ain't bad. Headed up to the berry in the morning for my trout fix looking for an over the slot cutt for the smoker.
As far as biological effects of keeping fish and the impacts on fisheries...I'll leave that to the professionals (educated biologists).
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[Flyfishinglover]

Ha ha ha most fish don't survive when they get tangled with my tasty bait especially I will never release a nice size fish unless its on the slot size. Let just say I'm a huge fan of pan fry fish. Taste like chicken strips [angelic].
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[WiperMac]

To answer the first part of your post I'll say this. If I'm hungry for the flavor of fish at the end of my line then it goes on the fillet board. If not it goes free to fight another day.

To the second part of yout post I'll say this. I'm an educated man, but not is fish biology. That would be better left to the good folks that spent their time is school studying the cause and affect, action and reaction of different scenarios in our lakes and streams. Are they always right, heavens no. But I truly believe that given the available data they do and make the best educated guesses at that time.  One thing I do know is if the DWR is willing to take time out of their day to log onto our site and make a post, we should have the brain's to not get it locked. That's a dang good way to ensure we never have the opportunity to tap into their knowledge again.
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[TyeDyeTwins]

In Before the Lock Round 2

Anyway I do eat my fish but I release way more than I ever get to eat. Ha ha ha we do have those limits that make that possible. But yes I do keep my 6 bass, 4 trout, etc.

But there is a secrete pond that I fish frequently. It is small and the fish sizes are good so I choose to release them, well except the dam carp, suckers, and black bullhead cats. If the overall sizes go down on a particular species then yes, I will keep a few here and there.

The thing is if the fishery is truly sensitive the DNR makes the right call and change the limits accordingly.

But to claim all fisheries must be treated the exact same way is ridiculous! So what about my secrete pond? Does Bassrods or the DNR have any data to support the slot idea on the secret pond? Nope. There really are too many variables and such to make a broad claim. Yes some places should have a slot.....but all? NO!!

If the DNR cannot handle a locked thread (which I doubt) they need thicker skin. It is really not that tough to log in, type, and log off. Stop making it seem like we might lose them forever if we disagree with something.
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[SkunkedAgain]

Depends if the smoker hasn't been used lately I might keep a few but most of the time I send them back to fight another day. My family aren't big fish eaters so I only keep what I can eat right away or take a few to work everyone seems to love smoked fish. J
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[Wildcat94]

answer to question #1
why I fish?
I fish for the stress relief it provides me as well as the thrill of being outdoors. Also catching fish is a plus...

I am a c&r type for the majority of fish i chase but do keep my fair share of crappie, eyes and perch! I am not opposed to others keeping fish as long as its done legally.
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[LOAH]

When I started fishing again in my early 20's, it was merely another way of spending time with a good friend, in Nature. We always hiked together up in the hills anyway, so adding another facet to that was nice.

I didn't even want to eat the trout at first because I remembered not liking it as a kid. Luckily, I got brave, decided to try it again, and loved it.

At one point, my focus shifted to providing food for myself, which was also welcome for a starving bachelor.

It wasn't until my buddy moved out of the country that I spent a lot more time fishing alone and realizing that I just enjoyed being out in the world without a care in my mind. I started recognizing the primal connection to man kind's roots that fishing gave me.

A little quote from my blog, here's a section called "Why fish?":

Why not go jogging, hit the gym, start a garden or whatever it is that normal humans do? What's so fascinating about these slimy little animals that live in the water?

Fishing is a bit more to me than a hobby or a sport. It's an essential part of life that helps me connect with the Earth in ways similar to the long practiced traditions of mankind. Wherever man has had a water source, there has been fishing.

It's only natural.

Need I say more? I will anyway.[]

Eating fish is still part of the deal though. With trout, I usually only keep one or two if any. Rarely will I take home a limit, but on seldom occasion, that might happen.

I've become much pickier in what I'll keep though. The time of year vs the species plays a big role, as well as the sex of the fish. It's because I don't want to disrespect a nice fish by having to throw it away as mush.

Hopeless bleeders are usually kept as well.

Chapter 2:

Just kidding. I'm done now.[fishon]
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[Lonnie]

I agree with Loah , Fishing is much more about the experience. I spent many days walking and fishing with my grand dad along huntington river, on the shores of clevelamd and millers flat, joes valley and scofeild. I have taken my kids on the same treks and they have all developed a love for the outdoors and fishing.
I fish by different methods, mostly fly's and lures, but not opposed to bait. I will keep and eat some once in a while.
I believe in keeping fish on certain waters for the good of the fishery. I.E. lake powell stripers and small mouth, smaller trout in huntington creek due to overpopulation pre fire.
While I love all fishing, the 2 things that does get under my skin is 1) the fly fishing eleitists who view anyone who uses any other method as a low life or unskilled fisherman, and 2) the ones who want to point out to those who keep a fish or two that they are commiting some sort of murder or something. Some oppinions are better kept to yourself.
That being said, I think we should all enjoy the rescource. And to the young fathers out there, don't be affraid to sacrifice your own fishing time to help your kids learn, (it takes patients) But the rewards will come to you later as they grow.
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[Highmth]

I have enjoyed reading a lot of the comments that have been posted. When I was a kid my dad would drag me and my 3 brothers fishing about every weekend in the summer. He spend more time untangling lines than he did actually fishing. We were expected to keep every fish we caught. We were a poor family and we ate a lot of fish. We had a good time fishing and it created some good family memories.
As I grew up fishing became more about relieving stress and getting out in nature and recharging the batteries. Fishing certain spots will always bring back good memories of the time I spent with my family as a kid. I have more respect for the water I fish now than i did when I was younger. I still keep a meal of fish out of most of the waters I fish, but I have become quite selective of the fish I eat too. A fresh brook trout slathered in butter and BBQ'd is hard to beat.
When I go fishing with my dad he still expects is to keep as many fish as legally possible.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Kudos to you fishnutts for starting this thread, and kudos to all the bouys and gurls adding reasonable sensible feedback, without getting bitchy and nasty.

I was torn on locking that Dwr thread, and still think I might go back and do something about that. There was some good opportunity for discussion and debate, but instead the school-ground tactics took over. I could only see it go downhill, and I don't think Bassrods had a chance to get back on and retort, or he was showing an incredible will to resist the urge. (plus - had some new kitties I hadn't dropped yet!)

As to the topic - I stongly agree with FGs first statement - the regs is the regs. If you in em, nobody should have a ground to complain. Where it gets fuzzy is the personal determinations regarding size, number within a limit to actually take home, time of year/spawn status and such...

I keep fish. I release lots more. I do select by size. I like panfish for table-fare, and believe they can handle the harvest. Hell - Idaho has NO limit on most panfish. Even at the 50 numbers - I don't stand on a tile floor - but it gets to be a lot of work.
I have and do enjoy trout, but I prefer white-fish. Catfish fall into a different category, as to Salmon - along with the trout - having much more of an inherent flavor of theri own. I enjoy the occasional ocean fish too- shark/sword/tuna. Just dang pricey! Saw a 300lb giant BluefinTuna hauled in on a fishing show - GOOD LAWD - talk about a fight! They don't dare bring those fish on board alive, and I can understand why!

I've felt blasted for showing a basket on the site. I refrain mostly now. But I will say I have NEVER seen the Tude bothered for keeping some fish. So jumping on someone for a legal catch is BS and I for one won't tolerate it. If someone want to suggest that releasing a fat-spawning Walleye has benefit to the fishery - kudos - have at it. But without antagonism if they've only got one over - is it 24"?

My daughter loves fish, and asks for it. My son likes fish - but developed an allergy to salmon/trout - and now seems scared of eating any fish. My wife likes fish, but not in excess, and doesn't care for frying and what it brings to the "house". Bake-em-Danno.
I love smoked anything. Brought smoked Turkey to work for a luncheon yesterday - went over well (understatement). Can't count how many folks claimed they'd never tasted catfish, least of all smoked catfish until I offered up some nibblets. I get a rise out of that. It's an ego boost, I'll confess. Bringing food to the family table, freezing a few for later - helps fight the rising cost of gas, and repay the cost of liscensing, but NO way close to repaying what I've spent for fishing gear/time/etc.
Add it up - the cost of "perch/$ spent" - it's probably more like the giant Bluefin Tuna!!!

And if you're just itching for cute pix - FINE!

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Thanks for keeping it civil folks.

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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Catch and release...or release in the grease? As others have pointed out, that should be a matter of personal choice. Some waters benefit by strict C&R practices but others do better when there is "selective harvest". And some species can tolerate almost unlimited harvest whereas others need a helping hand from those who enjoy catching them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That /maddening thing is that there are so many bigots and opinionated nutjobs who would inflict their personal beliefs on others and chastize anybody who does not follow their particular practices. A lot of these are pseudo biologists who overthink everything and their thought processes are often flawed...or outright idiocy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like a few other BFTers, I grew up in a family of meager means that both enjoyed fishing and eating the catch we brought home. And release was not in our subsistence vocabulary. If we were still within our limits we kept anything we caught. And it was all well utilized and helped stretch the budget.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I am fortunate these days to have acquired the skills to catch plenty of fish on almost any trip. But I decide in advance how many I might want to keep for either eating fresh or smoking. Rarely do I keep more than a meal or two for the freezer...and I never let them stay too long in the cold box.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I prefer eating fresh fish...no more than a day or two out of the water. But I also share some of my catch with a couple of family members who love fish but do not fish themselves. The fish I share is usually not from a species that cannot withstand more harvesting. My donatees prefer perch, white bass, crappies and catfish anyway.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]So...on most trips I release more than I keep. But anything I do keep and bring home is properly cared for and provides tasty treats for my wife and I or for a limited number of other recipients. I doubt that I have ever contributed to the decline of any specific fishery through my own personal harvest.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short...I love fishing for the enjoyment and the outdoors environment. But I also eat a lot of fish and truly enjoy it fixed many different ways.[/#0000ff]
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[Fin-S-Fish]

I highly agree with the second paragraph. There too many, fairly vicious, catch and release imperialists everywhere both on the internet forum and out on the water. I release a good amount of trophy size largemouth every year that most people probably would never even see in the course of their utah fishing lifetime, but by no means, do I think everyone should. I strongly believe in autonomy to the greatest extent possible. Everyone should be allowed free will to do what they want within certain moral and ethical boundaries, but these boundaries are subjective, as well contingent upon an individual's personal perception. For sure, harvest within legal limits is NOT wrong and should not be condemned with a malevolent connotation. However if you would ask any UDWR biologist, most fishing regulations are NOT biologically based but are POLITICALLY based. Unfortunately many fishing regs are the result of aggressive hegemonical voices of the most ignorant, yet ardent catch and release people like good ol you know who......with the "rods" at the end of his username. The UDWR simply doesn't hear from the average angler who doesn't show at the meetings so guess who's suggestions they go with? I certain would never be so patronizing as to tell anyone what to do with a fish and that eating a fish makes them a sinner of some sort. Catch and relelase ideology, once a very useful conservation tool, now has become a cult religion of sorts, attempting to didactically preach and force it's set of beliefs on all of fishing society.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]We is in agreement.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I play little games to avoid "meltdown" when some folks start going off on me...about keeping fish, etc. I squint my eyes and visualize them as the late great Charlton Heston...in his role as Moses...holding the plates in one hand and an electrified holy staff in the other. In extreme cases I might mentally paint in some flecks of foam at the corners of the mouth.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Whenever a peaceful discussion turns into THOU SHALT and THOU SHALT NOT I just tune out, turn them off and go fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[jeremypeace]

Me I mostly catch and release, although like some I will keep one or two here and there for consumption. Or if I hook one that obviously wont survive ill keep it and find some one who wants it to eat. But ive found barbless artificial is great for being able to release .
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[k2muskie]

I would say we are primarily catch and release. However, when we head out to fish for Walleye, Crappie, Perch it is for eating.

We enjoy eating fish and selectively harvest fish for meals including we donate fish to folks who do not fish and are elderly and enjoy a nice fresh fish dinner.

We've also made some awesome friends through fishing thanks to various fishing forums. If forums such as BFT and others did not exist no doubt we probably wouldn’t have these very close friendships we have today. I’m sure all visiting various fishing forums will say the same thing.

We have had some great times on the soft and hard water with folks we’ve met on these forums. Many very enjoyable memories with a whole lot of laughs. Great times with super folks. Fishing for us is friendships, memories, relaxation and enjoyment. It’s a hobby we are glad we can do and have the means to support our OCD angling hobby…No drug or therapy can come close to fishing to get away from the day-n-day out grinds of life and employing them 3Ps. Life is way too short and the mental facilities, physical capabilities will eventually catch up to each one of us, and then we will only have memories. [][]
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[RangerRat]

C&R only. Don't mind if you legally keep what you catch.
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