When you fish a competition ,where it is required that the fish be measured for placings and then released.

1 How do you do it?

2 Do you feel its fair to the fish?

3 Taking into account all the opinions and views discussed about catch and release and how its done,does this not do damage to fish?

be interested to hear views.

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Kevin

1. Use a length of plastic guttering with a tape measure glued to the inside and a 'stop' at one end.
2. Fair to the fish? Really don't understand the question - might they be embarassed if they're short? How does it feel about being measured?
3. No it does not damage fish - why would it? Are you damaged if someone measures your height? You would be more 'damaged' if someone had already stuck a hook in your mouth.

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[I]"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel."[/I] Roderick L Haig-Brown

[url]www.wildfly.net[/url]

[url]http://www.gameanglinginstructors.co.uk/[/url]

Ok clever clogs

The fish jumping all over the place and sliding out of your hands and angler grabbing it to measure it so as it doesnt get away.Is that fair to fish?

If the above doesnt damage fish then fair enough.

You would be more 'damaged' if someone had already stuck a hook in your mouth.

Oh really?

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Kevin

It happens on the CEFF Rivers Heats, National Finals, and the Internationals, where, the fish are measured in Lighthouses 'gutter' method, or something very similar, with the Tape/accurate markings, on the inside. Then the fish are returned alive and well....

Think this has the been the 'norm' for a very long time for this discipline, and as long as the measuring gutters are accurately set up, then all is well.

The fish are placed, nose first into the device, which I belive has about an inch covered at one end, which would cover the head of the fish almost.... depends on the size....

Would take a lot of marshalls/controllers to do this on something like the Bank International....or even a 30 entrants competition, 1 between 2 anglers.....15 Marshalls....

The Irish employ the measuring stance for their fish, and all works well over there....

As they say Kev, if it aint broke, why fix it.....?? Are you planning to have a "taster" comp to try it??

Carl

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No No,Carl

It was something on my mind and was interested in peoples thoughts, for discussion.

Im not knocking the system if it is working, fine by me,browns may be ok with it,but rainbows are a bit different.

So im interested to know how people do it them selves.Do they keep them in a net to measure,do they handle them, things like this.When you consider catch and release methods to protect fish,that was why I asked.Its a genuine reason, which may help someone new to it and unsure how to do it or anybody really and myself.

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Kevin

Actually you can do it in a net, and it is often quicker and easier because if you fold the net over the fish's head and hold it there with your hand thus effectively blinding the fish, he will keep still allowing you to straighten him out and flip his tail out of the net so you can get an accurate measurement. Once you've done that just lift the net and pop the fish back into the water. Works well - try it.

Thanks Bob,that is what Im looking for

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Kevin

Hang on a minute .... surely catch and release on the majority of rainbow dominant stillwater fisheries isn't there to 'protect fish' it's simply part of a differentiated marketing plan ie, if you don't take away the fish you can fish cheaper?

Whether triploid or not, I wonder how many released, no matter how carefully, rainbows survive particularly in the higher water temperatures of the summer. How many rainbows survive I wonder to over-winter whether or not they've been previously caught and released.

Catch and release of migratory and wild indigenous fish is one of the few ways that Mr Average Angler can positively influence the conservation / viability of fish populations. Rainbow fisheries? .... what's the point, perhaps just to make ourselves feel morally better - I've played with you, now I'm going to put you back to enjoy a happy life? These days they're mostly sterile, non viable and are going to die shortly anyway ... just a thought, feel free to discuss.

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[I]"I still don't know why I fish or why other men fish, except that we like it and it makes us think and feel."[/I] Roderick L Haig-Brown

[url]www.wildfly.net[/url]

[url]http://www.gameanglinginstructors.co.uk/[/url]

Yeah - do it in the net and it is the job of seconds.

Wet the trough too (the net will do this for you).


Worth noting that this is the same method used by E.A. fisheries bods to do population measurements.

It's very hard to see that a properly handled fish would suffer any significant degree of discomfort or harm by being measured by the usual plastic guttering used in most no kill competitions over and above the harm and discomfort caused by catching them in the first place.

The FIPs Mouche protocol is that the fish is handed to the controller in the net with the hook still in place, the controller unhooks the fish (checking that the fish is not foul hooked and the hook is properly debarbed) measures it and then hands it back to the angler for a careful revival and release before fishing is recommenced.

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