When wading, what's the best way to 'handle' a fish in catch and release?

I'm talking small river trout mainly and it's not obligatory to use a net where I fish.

I read that if you turn the fish over just below the water's surface it will stay still, turn it back over when the hook's out, then gently let go.

What do you do?

S&O,

IME, I use barbless hooks when river fishing, so I can grab the fly and turn as required to remove the hook, no need to touch the fish...

GC

Use barbless hooks, bring the fish to you, slide your hand down the tippet, grip the fly and allow the fish to shake itself off. No need to touch it at all.

__________________
“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

I always use barbless hooks and bought one of those Ketchum quick release tools recently. You are supposed to catch the line in the loop and slide it down over the fly, allowing the fish to shake itself free. In practice, I find it almost impossible to get the line in the loop with the fish still swimming free (the Ketchum is supposed to be used without a net), especially when the rod is still in my right hand and the Ketchum in my left - swapping over is a right fiddle 'cos the ketchum is on a zinger.
I've used the thing as a disgorger on two six-inch trout that took the flies right back - I would have struggled with those without it! Sliding my fingers down to the fly still seems the best way for me.

StickMan

I thin everyone is on the right track here. For what it's worth I use barbless hooks and there are times where the fly is well down the throat. Over the last 25 years I have always worn a 12" piece of ladies stocking on my wrist which I quickly pull down over my hand and grab the fish. It doesn't slip, damage the scales and if a quick flick of the fish onto its back (stopping the fish from moving) is used the fly can quickly be extracted.
The challenge is to get a pair of stockings off the missus.

__________________
"A traditional wet fly addict"

Uk representative and Instructor for Fly Fishing Masters - www.flyfishingmasters.co.uk

Distributor for Terenzio Silk and Artificial Silk Fly Lines - Pay distributor retail price.

Depends on the size of the fish. Small ones (below 8" or so) I normally bring to hand whilst still in the water, turn up-side down (this is a trick used by pike fishermen. It normally subdues the fish and gives you a better access to the hook) and disgorge.
For anything bigger I use a soft mesh scoop net and hold the fish through the mesh to disgorge.
Always use barbless hooks.

Andy

__________________
GAIC Single Handed Casting Instructor

http://www.andygreyfishing.com/