chromaticaberrations

It's a sin to keep a fish these days eh?

NICE CATCHES AND BEAUTY FISH

It's not a sin to keep fish these days. Obviously there are those who are catch and release fisherman, and there are people that bring home fish. Seemingly it's become a great divide between the two. I talk to my kids every time we go out about the rights and wrongs of both mentalities. I don't think it's ok to keep everything you catch, but I do think it's ok to keep a fish once in a while for a nice meal if that's your thing. Easiest way to select a fish for harvest is if it won't revive or is somehow damaged in the ensuing catch.

I happen to be a catch and release fisherman, for the fact that I want my kids to be able to enjoy catching these beautiful fish, and their kids too. As time goes on, and stocking efforts get further reduced, natural reproduction is crucial for the survival of these fish.

I'll admit that I cringed seeing half a fist up the gills, like a teenage boy fisting the town bike. I cringe every day seeing photos of improperly handled fish that have been said to be released back. It's just in the nature of a catch and release fisherman to wonder if the fish have been kept or released after seeing the way they've been handled. No reason to flame people for asking or thinking that way. I don't see anyone flaming people for properly handling fish to release them. Catch and release fisherman, although some of you may not like their opinions or views, are a big part of the reason why a lot of you other fisherman still have fish to catch in these rivers.