Proper Catch and Release Question

[troutchaser]

Hey guys,

So I'm strictly a C&R angler and try to treat my fish as luxurious as possible... I keep the fish in water at all time but often times the water becomes muddy where I land the fish...

Is it bad for the fish to lay in muddy water? I figure when rivers are blown they have to swim through muddy waters so it should be fine, not harming the fish

 

[Float_down]

Hey guys,

So I'm strictly a C&R angler and try to treat my fish as luxurious as possible... I keep the fish in water at all time but often times the water becomes muddy where I land the fish...

Is it bad for the fish to lay in muddy water? I figure when rivers are blown they have to swim through muddy waters so it should be fine, not harming the fish

There are plenty of precautions we take as steelheaders to not harm the fish, make sure it swims off properly and gaurentee it's safety. But my honest answer, they are one of the hardiest fish going.
You're absolutley correct, they will go through anything, polluted water, muddy water, 2 inches of water, IMO I'm sure they have certain immunities to said conditions.
And I'm also sure us driving a hook into the side of there face or mouth and playing tug of war with them is a Lot more harmful then landing them in mucky water.

 

[troutchaser]

Thanks for the reply float down

Do the other members on this forum agree that muddy water wouldnt harm the fish??

 

[Brian]

That's actually quite a good question...
I have no idea of the answer; but I am thinking of breathing in polluted (smokey) air....
I may live through it, but I may not like it...

 

[salmotrutta]

I've seen fish landed through thick mud, doesn't look too good for the fish getting all that mud in its gills, and it doesn't make for good pics.

Rather than pulling up a fish on a super muddy bank, better to wade out if you can and unhook it in the water.

 

[NADO]

I've seen fish landed through thick mud, doesn't look too good for the fish getting all that mud in its gills, and it doesn't make for good pics.

Rather than pulling up a fish on a super muddy bank, better to wade out if you can and unhook it in the water.

This is a new angle for Mr. Trutta, I like what I see.

Though I think he is referring to when you walk around in shallow water and stir it up creating even buddier water than when the river is blown. I too have wondered about the effect of this on fish.

 

[troutchaser]

This is a new angle for Mr. Trutta, I like what I see.

Though I think he is referring to when you walk around in shallow water and stir it up creating even buddier water than when the river is blown. I too have wondered about the effect of this on fish.

Yeah Nado's spot on, thats exactly what I mean. The fish stays in the water at all times, its just when you wade to shore so you can actually kneel down to pop the hook out, the water tends to get super muddy. Interesting indeed.

 

[Rain-Bow]

Hey, at least you're not holding them by the gills or kicking them around in the dirt right

 

[[email protected]]

honestly don't think it really affects them at all, they stir up mud all the time, i;ve seen em jumping around the in the shallows stirring up the silt and sand, they do it when they make their spawning beds as well, and besides, if there is a current, the silt you've stirred up will be swept down stream from you, so try and land the fish on your upstream side if you're concerned about it

 

[grubman]

I'll agree with F^D. Most fish, even bows can breath in muddy water as long as it's not pure mud. I'd think the gills will clean out very quickly. The only danger would be branches, leaves or the stems which could injure the gills. Any mud on the gills should wash off and the fish itself knows it needs to clean it's gills off, just like you and I sometimes need to blow our nose.

It's great that you show concern for the life of the fish.

Fish on.

 

[troutchaser]

Thanks for all the replies guys, glad it hasnt hindered theyre survival rate as Ive handled countless bows this way :grin:

 

[AaronKrick]

Good question. The muddy water doesn't hurt them. Look at the salmon & steelhead migration. They have to get through 2" of water, garbage, pollution and muddy water.

 

[Float_down]

Good question. The muddy water doesn't hurt them. Look at the salmon & steelhead migration. They have to get through 2" of water, garbage, pollution and muddy water.

Lol... That sounds familiar