Conservation
Flatland Fly Fishers helps support the Kanopolis Seep Stream project. Read More...
Catch and Release Fishing
Practicing catch and release is often a major conservation practice due to increasing pressure to today’s fisheries. There are just a few simple guidelines that will help make sure the fish survives. First of all don’t play the fish too long. An exhausted fish may not survive being released. Often times it is not even necessary to remove the fish from the water. You will need something to take out the hook; a commercial hook remover, a hemostat or a pair of needle nose pliers will work well. If you need to take the fish from the water for picture purposes etc., try not to keep the fish out of water for very long (less than 1 min.). Use a net with a soft cloth or rubber mesh. If you do not have a net you can wear soft, wet cotton gloves or at least wet your hands before touching the fish. Be careful not to touch the eyes or gills. If you lift the fish, put one hand under the head area and one around the tail area. When you are placing the fish back in the water hold it by the tail and support the head upright until it revives. Do not pull the fish back and forth through the water as pulling the fish backward through the water could damage the gills. Fly anglers are usually leaders in ethical fishing behavior. Don’t be like a guy I recently observed on Slough Creek who drug his fish up on the bank, stepped on it to hold it down and ripped the hook out and kicked the fish back into the water. If you’re that afraid of fish maybe you should seek another sport. By the way, this guy had a fly rod in his hands.
How to Handle Fish
Use barbless or debarbed hooks - Barbless hooks reduce fish handling time and damage to the fish.
Reduce fish handling time - Land the fish as quickly as possible and minimize handling. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
Wet your hands before handling fish - Dry hands will remove the protective slime of the fish, causing stress and / or fungal growth.
Cradle the fish by the belly and hold in front of the tail fin if necessary - Hold fish upside down to immobilize. Do not put your fingers in the gills. Do not squeeze the fish.
Cut the line if you cannot retrieve files - If the fish has swallowed the fly, cut your line as close as possible to the hook to prevent damage to internal organs.
Revive fish before releasing - Hold the fish upright, facing upstream, in moving water or in still water gently rock the fish back and forth until the fish can swim away on its own.
Conservation Sites
American Rivers
Federation of Fly Fishers
Sierra Club
National Audubon Society
National Wildlife Federation
The Nature Conservancy
Trout Unlimited