I need a simple question answered please, I could Google but thought I would ask the endless oasis of knowledge present in the forum members.

Ok I was fishing a couple of days ago witha lady friend and she asked me what the difference between a game fish and coarse fish was?....The next question was what fish are game fish.....I replied Trout, Grayling, Salmon then the inevitable question came up " Why ?"......

I was stuck, not wishing to sound too stupid and deciding that b******ting was not going to wash I said I couldnt remember.....

So to keep this simple please can we keep this to coarse vs game......

" What is the definition of a game fish and why "

There is no single answer to your question because it is a completely arbitrary distinction. The term "game fish" can be defined to include anything.
There is no objective way to define what is or is not a game fish.

The UK has it's convention, the convention here in the US is completely different and it even varies by region. Again pointing to the fact that the distinction and definition is arbitrary.

Grouse

Hasn't it got something to do with having an adipose fin. Maybe because trout, salmon are better eating than bream, chub and what not.

Sean

In the UK, game fish is a term normally assigned to species with an adipose fin.

The Pirate.

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Thats the general definition as applied in UK as I understand it, which therefore includes grayling, despite their coarse fish style breeding season.

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Except grayling - a coarse fish - as they spawn in the spring, protected by the coarse fish close season.

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Save the softmouth trout

Oh shut up for gooodness sake Puss.

The Pirate.

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Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

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Is it a course fish though. Just because they spawn when other course fish spawn.

(I like to spell coarse as above, purely because it gets a few people's backs up)

Sean

...and you used to be able to catch them with a coarse licence.

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Save the softmouth trout

Well thanks that cleared it up for me

So would I be correct in assuming that from your answer I can safely explain to my ladyfriend that a game fish is arbitrarily chosen to be such by the UK's own convention and rules??.....

Blimey I was hoping for something a little more simple and easy to explain...

Thanks also for the other answers.........