Catch and Release

There is no quesion, that the drift nets do much more harm to the salmon stocks that the rod fishermen. However if one adheres to the rules set by the government you can only keep one spring fish a day. So what to do if you are lucky enough to catch your springer in the morning ?

There are some possibilites:
1. Stop salmon fishing and relax.
2. Go trout fishing.
3. Continue fishing and pratice Catch and Release

Unless you follow a few important guidelines you better stop salmon fishing after catching a salmon.

Angling methods:

1. Worming
Spring fish usually swallow the hook and everybody continuing worming after catching a salmon has no intend to release fish.
2. Shrimping
Even though the use of shrimp and prawn is prohibited in some fisheries this is probably a good method for catch and release when using single hooks. The fish is usually hooked in the lips
3. Spinning
As spring fish are usually taking the spinner relentnessly it can be assumed that the survival rate after removing the hook is not very high.
4. Flyfishing
Together with shrimping this is probaly the the best method for catch and release when using single, barbless hooks.

Playing the fish

Very simple. Use strong line and play out the fish as fast as possible.

Landing the fish

Keep the salmon in the water all the time, use a net with soft knotholes mesh. Always use wet hands when handling a fish.

Removing the hook

1. Wet your hands and keep the fish in the water.
2. Minimize the handling of the fish.
3. If a hook can not be removed cut the leader close to the hook.
4. Take care not to squeeze fishor hold it by the gills.

Releasing and Reviving the fish

After removing the hook the fish should be supported in the water facing into the current and given sufficient time to recover.For your records, the weight of a salmon can be estimated from its lenghts using a conversion chart.

Survival rate

Close to 100% when the above guidlines are followed. The survival rate is higher, when the water temperature is below 20C. So think twice about Catch and Release after a hot spell in the summer, when the water temperature is high and the oxygen levels are low.