I make no apoligies for this post as I know its been covered before,but its something which needs to be covered over and over as new people enter fly fishing.Some start off with casting lessons and some say they are a waste of money,but if a casting lesson involves how to release a fish correctly(which qualified Instructors do) Its worth its weight IMO.

When an angler says to me about a diseased fish and they always seem to point to you as a fishery,when in reality it is the angler who should understand the true causes.

Today while destroying a 4lb Blue with finger marks clearly visible on it was the prompt for the post.I am in no way labelling all anglers with bad handling but if you are an angler who is unsure of how to release a fish the right way I urge you to ask someone to show you how to do it correctly,there is no shame in it and helps both you and the fish itself.Plus gives the whole angling issue a better light to those who oppose the angling sport.

I dont accept any excuse for bad catch and release(disabilities accepted )and Its about the only rule we stick rigidly to at our fishery so I wouldnt say we are asking for much.

It is an anglers responsibility to know how to do it properly aswell as casting is a major part of angling and as important.

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Kevin

Well said.......................birdsnest

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Fear not if I steal from your side, as of yore, from paradise streams to fish Teifi once more.
BN based in Wolverhampton

You have summed up perfectly why I never catch and release fish. If you are finding the fishing to easy change to something more challenging.

Cheers

What MF was saying was that some people don't know how to release fish safely, and should learn to do so. I assume you don't catch and release because you've watched as a fish goes belly up . Get yourself a fine mesh net (the rubber coated ones are kind to fish) and fish barbless.Play your fish hard and give them time to recover before release.It isn't a matter of finding the fishing too easy, I just don't have a use for the 400+ fish a season I catch from the reservoirs..Any badly hooked,damaged fish are killed. If you fish small waters that tend to warm up quickly then c&r is a bad idea.

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Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

I dont catch 400 plus a season I only catch what we eat or can give away.
Cheers

Well I blame the likes of Paul Young,Matt Hayes,John Wilson et al !

When was the last time you saw one of those celeb' anglers handle a fish properly!

well said gadus and FOG you are very right there and it is not a good way to show new anglers about care of fish(even though I do enjoy some of the programmes but squirm at the release)Killing fish is the choice each makes at the time but in candr care and education is vital for many number of reasons and something each angler should ask about, aswell as asking how do I cast.I feel it is as important.

If this post gets just one angler asking someone how to do it properly then its is worth it and many fish in the future will be released safely.

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Kevin

Maybe more fisheries should have instructions clearly set out for those buying C&R tickets to see. I fish C&R regularly and the fishery I usually go to has such instructions up illustrating the correct release method to ensure care of the fish but many don't. Those who are new to C&R should seek the fishery managers advice if they aren't sure but many don't and then have no idea when they hook a fish. One fishery I visit are particularly keen and regularly inspect your flies to ensure you are using barbless hooks or have flattened your barb sufficiently too.

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Location - Ospreylia

I must admit this is not just a trout fishery issue as i do various types of fishing and often see mis/bad handsling and not just from newbies to the sport.
I have seen seasoned anglers still handling fish with dry cloths or in trout case just being hauled up the bank then released.
This is not only bad behaviour but bad for the sports name in general,it does not take long to hold a fish and unhook it without any ill effect on return.
If wading then this job is even easier with minimal fuss.
There is no excuse for this treatmwent even if your intentions are to take the fish home,i do prefer catch and release and i no there are arguments for and against this either way the care of your catch is important.
If you see any bad angling then please mention the correct way to this person and make it clear that you are not a busy body but only trying to help.
people i have seen pulling trout up the bank and then releasing them when clearly have a net at there side want banning its not just lazy but downright disgusting,people who clearly have been an angler for a long time should also note that a towel/cloth is for hand wiping and not removing the fishes protective barrier of slime.

very well said and advice which should be taken up from WO and Kats.
We have clear cand r signs for all to see and we also show anglers the correct method if we see bad handling in the interest of both angler and fish.It is not a chastisement but to help both and make the experience more enjoyable for all.
I have to say thankfully not at my fishery,the old towel being used which was a long long time ago and I wasnt myself upto date with cand r,but would say something about it now.

Some bad handling is down to get the fish off as quick as posssible so the fly can get back in the water and get the next one as quick as possible,to me losing all the pleasure of why we do it.

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Kevin