Sorry if this is a total newbie question, but I'm not sure what the correct procedure is.
Generally I'm fishing on C&R tickets while I learn the ropes, but I wondered if it's the done thing to weigh any fish you catch before releasing them?
I understand how important it is to keep handling of fish to the barest minimum, if at all, and so far have been using one of those C&R gadgets to remove my fly with the trout still in my landing net.
If I was to weigh before release, what's the best way to go about it?
Thanks in advance,
Red Devil

I wouldn't take the fish out of the water on C&R.

Fazzer

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If you're too busy to fish then you're too busy.

Your best bet would be to invest in a weigh net, one of those with a spring balance in the handle. You could unhook your fish in the net while it was still in the water, then simply lift the net momentarily to read off the weight.
Angus

You can also just hook a spring balance on the rim or in the mesh of a standard net, weigh the fish plus net and then deduct the weight of the wet net.

Provided that you fish barbless, do not handle the fish, don't keep it out of the water for more than minute, and let it swim out of the net, it will be fine.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

Thanks for the advice gents.
I wouldn't lift a C&R fish out of the water but I appreciate the warning.
I checked on Sportfish and the cheapest weigh net was £50 so that's not an option - I've already spent my kids' inheritance on kit and the wife will go potty if I spend any more..
I might try Sewinbasher's suggestion, though it sounds a bit fiddly - maybe I'll just content myself with a quick look at these beautiful creatures before letting them swim away, at least until I'm ready to tap one on the noggin.

It's not.... net the fish, hold the net by the handle exactly as you would with a weigh net, hook a spring balance around the net rim, let go of it, read the weight, unhook the spring balance, release the fish, weigh the net again and deduct from the first reading. It takes about 30 seconds at most and is very very easy.

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“There is no more lovely country than Monmouthshire in early spring. Nowhere do the larks sing quite so passionately, as if somehow inspired by the Welsh themselves. There is a blackbird on every thorn and a cock chaffinch, a twink as they call him there, on every bush...... It moved me profoundly. I had been spared to see another spring, and I thank God for it.”

Oliver Kite
“A Spring Day on the Usk”
A Fisherman’s Diary

OK mate, you've convinced me... thanks

Good advice some fisheries do not allow netting with c & r ,local rules usually apply ,Bangour have good policy as all fish over 10lbs need to be returned Stevie is an expert on the whole thing.You can usually net,weigh and get a quick pic before safely releasing fish I'm sure he has very few losses.
difficulties can arise on high platforms and/or low water where you are on platforms so netting is necessary.You wont get a trophy fish all that often so most of your fish will be returned as normal,use your tool and then turn the fish out into the water in the net usually without any need to touch,if absoulutely necessary to touch fish wet hands first.If fish deep hooked or bleeding check fishery rules usually fish will be dispatched humanely and given to fishery.

Pete

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New rainbow PB 22 lbs Bangour 23/10/2011