Catch And Release?

[laker67]

  Trav said:

I bought a new boat you all! Sitting in my driveway. Give me a week or so and you will be talking trash on the Lower Taney format!

Well allright then, looking forward to it.

[Kayser]

The idea behind C&R is simple- less fish are taken out, so there are more fish left to catch, and the fish grow between each time they're caught. On the issue of whether or not C&R is effective or not, just look at Dry Run Creek. Lots of fish (and plenty of big ones) for the kids.

On the "moral" aspect of it, it's just a choice we all make. I like catching fish (especially big ones) more than once, and think others would like to catch those fish also, so I release what I catch when outside of trout parks. When someone else catches a legal fish, the choice is theirs.

Rob

[laker67]

  Kayser said:

On the "moral" aspect of it, it's just a choice we all make. I like catching fish (especially big ones) more than once, and think others would like to catch those fish also, so I release what I catch when outside of trout parks. When someone else catches a legal fish, the choice is theirs.

Rob

Very well stated Kayser! You do what works best for you, and allow others to make the same choice. I like that theory.

[drew03cmc]

Where in KS are you at? We do not have that problem yet around Lawrence and Topeka. I understand the theory behind C&R, but honestly if they are not part of a breeding stock in that watershed, I fail to see what purpose they serve. Sorry, I guess I would rather see self sustaining populations than hatchery managed stocks.

[OKFlyFisher44]

  Kayser said:

The idea behind C&R is simple- less fish are taken out, so there are more fish left to catch, and the fish grow between each time they're caught. On the issue of whether or not C&R is effective or not, just look at Dry Run Creek. Lots of fish (and plenty of big ones) for the kids.

On the "moral" aspect of it, it's just a choice we all make. I like catching fish (especially big ones) more than once, and think others would like to catch those fish also, so I release what I catch when outside of trout parks. When someone else catches a legal fish, the choice is theirs.

I agree completely with the above statement. I've stayed away from these Catch and Release threads as I agree with Trav...its like beating a dead horse but here are my thoughts on the situation....

As far as catch and release goes for Taney....its a put and take fishery as far as the Rainbows go I believe. As long as people are taking "legal" fish...let 'em take them for all I care. I am saddened when I see big 'bows and browns harvested from our rivers for sure...but thats their right if they want to keep that fish, as much as we hate to see it happen.

I am for "catch and release"....thats basically all I do. I have yet to find a way to cook trout in a way that tastes good to me, so I release every trout I catch whether its at a trout park or Taney or the North Fork. So I feel I'm putting fish back for another angler to enjoy...be it catching and releasing them or catching and eating them. Unless its crappie or catfish, I have no desire to take the time to clean fish that I don't wanna eat. And most of the time anymore, I don't keep them either as I HATE having to clean fish...especially catfish!

I'm a member of TU and I firmly believe we need to protect and maintain our coldwater trout fisheries...but let's concentrate our efforts on rivers or fish populations that need it. Places like Crane Creek or the North Fork of the White (MO)....or any of the rivers that support a brown trout population. Or how about all the small creeks/rivers that are having their smallmouth over-harvested? Or any other fish species thats getting over-harvested for that matter!

There's just too many angles on this whole "catch and release" idea...especially in the Ozarks. On a personal note, I believe there needs to be more support given to protecting places like Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Canada, Alaska, etc....those exotic places that offer a fishing trip of a lifetime.....because if we don't act now, our children's children won't have the chance to go to places like that to have that fishing trip of a lifetime. Thats just my thoughts on that.

Ok, so I've rambled way more than I originally planned...and I accept full responsibility and am now going to prepare myself to be blasted!

Lord...why did I get involved? All I wanna do is go fishing

[OKFlyFisher44]

  kevinkirk said:

Son just back from Colorado. Fished gold medal water where limit is TWO under 12 inches. He caught some HUGE browns on a flyrod. If that isnt fun.

Post some pics/fishing report in the General Angling Discussion forum!! I'm trying to throw together a trip to Colorado myself...

[FRENZEL]

Why would anyone who doesn't agree with catch and release ever fish the restricted water on Taney? TO CATCH A BIG FISH! If you don't agree with catch and release then you should be happy with catching silver bullet stockers that don't fight and eat a bare hook. The reason that there are large fish to catch is due to the sportsman that practice catch and release not always but at least part of the time.

[bigredbirdfan]

If these Taneycomo farm fresh bows and browns don't really spawn and reproduce. Then why don't they partition the water off in sections like Roaring River with large boulders and establish more zones? Why is the darn area the only benefactor to slot limit. I rarely catch rainbows below fall creek above 15 inches.

[Whack'emGood]

  OKFlyFisher44 said:

There's just too many angles on this whole "catch and release" idea...especially in the Ozarks. On a personal note, I believe there needs to be more support given to protecting places like Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Canada, Alaska, etc....those exotic places that offer a fishing trip of a lifetime.....because if we don't act now, our children's children won't have the chance to go to places like that to have that fishing trip of a lifetime. Thats just my thoughts on that.

I lived in Colorado for 4 years and I'm here to tell you this... The Ozarks is the best place I have ever seen for a "Fishing trip of a lifetime." And you're right when you say- "...because if we don't act now, our children's children won't have the chance to go to places like that to have that fishing trip of a lifetime." Except you forgot to apply that quote to the Ozarks.

Whack'em

[LostMyWife]

Robbie and I fished the upper and lower San Juan in Colorado. She got spoiled out of the gate because that was her first flyfishing trip.

Having said that, the trips we have had at Taney have been MUCH better. The water is more accessible. The scenery is a lot better and the people are great.

I have always wanted to hike into some of the high mountain lakes in COlorado. WE did this back in the 90's several times, but we never did it to fish. I can see where that would definelty be a trip of a lifetime.

At the same time I want to go to Alaska and fish there. I can't imagine want that is like.

I hope allof these places are around for a long time. With proper management, I believe that there is a place out there for all sportman to fish, C&R or not, a true sportsman protects the habitat.

Please don't confuse those that come in with nets and strip the waters of all fish as sportsman.

It's a choice. If it's legal, then live and let live. If not, I hope the fisherman fishing next to whoever has a badge.

LMW