A couple of weeks ago I fished a local water here in Hampshire, and though the fish were hard to entice I had an enjoyable day and I managed to land 2 (4lb & 2lb 15) and lost 2.

I was a little concerned however when I gutted the fish on my return home. I decided to bin the smaller of the 2 as the internal organs appeared to be disintegrating.

I have only been fishing just over 12 months so I am not that experienced regarding the internal anatomy of trout and was concerned that the fish was diseased, so I thought that it was best to be safe and bin it.

I did notice several dead fish in the lakes which may have been attributable to the water conditions however I am concerned that there may have been some other cause. I did contact the fishery, but have had no response.

Perhaps someone could clarify the position as to when fish are unsuitable for eating, and suggest any reason for the internal organs disintegrating?

Hope to go fishing again this week but at a different venue !!

Terry

How long were they out of the water(ie dead).was it hot,did you keep them in a proper bass bag.Even a couple of hours in a fishing bag on a hot day will render fish inedible.(gone off)

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Hi Jim,

The smaller one which I thought was diseased was caught a few minutes before I stopped fishing, and was in a wet bass bag until I got home about 45mins later, so it was relatively fresh when I cleaned both fish.

The weather was not very warm, and I have not previously had any problems with fish, as the fisheries that i go to usually have fridges available to keep them in.

Terry

EEk.Fridges at a fishery.whatever next.
If the fish were looked after,and kept in a bass,then you were probably right to dispose of them.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

Hi Terry,

If you described which organs were affected it would help suggest possible diseases. I will assume these fish are stockies?

Hi GuyfromLaw,

As stated originally I have only been trout fishing for just over a year. All of the trout that I have cleaned do not seem to be vey much like the diagrams that I have found on line. There are two creamy white organs which take up a large proportion of the cavity and it was these that were falling apart.

Unfortunately, where I can fish locally it is only stocked fish, but no C&R. I suppose it could just be down to the water temperatures in August stressing the fish.

Terry

These 2 large white organs are the result of high density feeding to get weight up for stocking.I believe but not 100% sure that it may be the enlarged gall bladder,And if you accidently cut this whilst gutting you wil taint the flesh with yellow gunge .

Jim

__________________
The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.