Warm-Water Releases
Last month marked 46 years since I caught my first summer steelhead. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to travel to many great fishing destinations, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine making a living out of my hobby.
I’ve learned a lot over the past four decades. Much of what I’ve learned has come through personal trial and error, things that can only be learned by spending time on the water. Other things I’ve learned have come from fellow anglers. Much of what I’ve learned from friends and avid anglers has helped make me a better anglers, but some of what I’ve acquired showed me what not to do.
Take an angler I once observed as he violently shook a salmon net in an effort to release a fish. The fish was caught on a plug, the trailing hooks buried in the fish, the lead hooks caught in the net. It was an ugly, bloody mess that no doubt resulted in the unnecessary death of a fish.
There was the time I watched an angler lift a monster Alaskan king, both hands inside each gill plate, get photos, kiss the fish then toss it over the boat with blood running down both sides. I’ve witnessed that type of mishandling with a lot steelhead, too. In these cases, none of the fish were revived prior to being set free.
August and September mark some of the most critical times to catch and properly release salmon, steelhead and trout. During these times rivers are low, clear and warm, and fish are very vulnerable. A biologist once shared with me that 10% of summer steelhead released after being caught die, a number that can be reduced by taking a few simple steps.
The ideal release begins the moment you set the hook. If fishing rivers with healthy native stock requiring release, I prefer going with heavier mainline than most anglers. The heavier line allows you to apply more pressure on the fish, landing it before it reaches the point of fatigue. The quicker a fish can be landed in warm water, the better its chance of survival.
If landing a fish you know is going to be released, avoid using a net. Nets remove the protective slime layer and some scales from fish, making them more susceptible to disease. Nets will also confine a fish, and this restricted movement greatly stresses them. With the fish in the water, simply reach down with a pair of pliers and remove the hook. Last winter I used a release glove made by Spirit River, called the Grip-n-Mitt. I was amazed at how well it did in the quick handling and release of wild steelhead. My wife and a few buddies also used one, and all were impressed with how securely they held the fish and how quickly fish could be revived and safely set free.
Prior to releasing a fish, it’s likely going to be necessary to pump it back and forth in the water to bring it back to a healthy state, especially in warm settings. If a fish is lethargic, lacks tail movement, power and gill action, it needs to be moved about in the water prior to the release in order to get water flowing through the gills. With one hand, grab the fish by the base of the tail (this is where the Grip-n-Mitt comes in). Support its belly with the other hand. Now begin gently moving, or pumping, the fish back and forth in the water. If in a river, make sure the nose of the fish is pointed upstream, so the water flows the proper direction, into the mouth.
Guard against vigorous, rapid movement when pumping the fish, as a slow, steady rhythm is what you’re after. The objective is to force water over the gills, providing oxygen to the fish that would be hard for it to attain on its own. Make certain the fish is in an upright position at all times, for their swim bladder, circulatory and nervous systems do not function to full capacity when on their side or back.