Trout and Salmon Release Tips

Now how do you get these Browns INTO your net? You just have to tire them somewhat, because if you try to net them before they're ready, well, you're going to be looking at a parted tippet for sure. 
The advantage of a net is you don't have to exhaust the fish like you often do if you try to grab them with your bare hand.

Keep the fish IN the water while you remove the hook. 

If you lift the fish or a quick photo like this one be sure and quickly lower the gills back into the water.

My daughter Abby is a very good fly angler. She asked me for some advice on best ways to release fish so we went fishing. Any excuse is a good excuse and fishing with your daughter is a great excuse.  Below are some of the things I showed her.

The net you use is crucial because if the webbing of the net is coarse or too wide, the fish will likely suffer split fins, torn mandibles or other damage.

Try to keep the netted fish IN the water. Cradle the fish on its back in the net. This usually calms the fish.

Remove the (hopefully de-barbed) hook from the fish and flip it away.

Now get ready to snap that picture. Rest the fish while you decide on a pose and ready the camera.

Remove the fish with both hands if you can when you've decided on HOW to make the pose. 

While you are making the pose decision keep the fish's gills in the water. An advantage of having a net is that you can set the fish back in the bag and submerge the fish. 

Keep the net in the water by holding the handle between your legs and downstream so the bag hangs in your eddy.

After you snap the picture, quickly return the fish to the calmest water. If the fish needs a moment to regain its strength, just hold it upright and facing into the current until it can swim away!

Forceps are a must-have-item in my vest when I'm fishing. Sometimes the hook point gets lodged in a hard to reach area where your fingers can't reach, or, in the case of the big brown above, or pike where your fingers don't want to be!

Toothy Critter Bite! Watch your fingers!           

Scissor Forceps

$11.95

A combo tool that functions as a forceps and scissors. Perfect for use on a small chest pack or on a lanyard. Stainless-steel forceps with cutting blades.
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Is that a smile, or a grin?

Two seasons ago  we snapped this photo quickly, then returned the fish to the water.

A cool thing about this net clip on the right is that you can just drop the net at any time, like when you have the fish in both hands and want to pose it or revive it.
The phone cord style lanyard keeps it from drifting away.
A magnetic clip for your net is  handy!    $24.95

Battenkill Large Arbor III

$229

When you want to return the net to your back, you just reach behind your neck and the magnets does the rest!
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Oh, that's my reel in the picture with the Brook Trout at the top. I have a Battenkill L.A. IV also for larger game.

This reel is tops for its price range in my opinion. It has a sweet sound, takes up loose line in a hurry, and it's just classy. Simple and beautiful.