To Keep, Or Not To Keep

[Greg]

I second Terry's thoughts on this subject. No problems at all with the smaller slot fish. When I see someone keep a fish over 20" I do get a "twinge" too (good word Terry). But as long as it's legal to each his own.

I don't like fish (to eat) at all - so for me to keep trout would be pointless anyway.

Greg

[laker67]

I only have a PERSONAL "twinge" when I see a true trophy fish - 28 inches or greater - taken home. And I don't like killing a fish just to mount it. Replicas are just as good.

There is a limit on what they can do as far as replica's. The last time that I checked about brown trout, the largest replica available is 35 inch. Anything larger, a mold has to be made from the fish, or they do a skin mount. You wouldn't want to catch a 38 inch fish and have a 35 inch replica. At least I would not want a substitute.

[ozark trout fisher]

There is a limit on what they can do as far as replica's. The last time that I checked about brown trout, the largest replica available is 35 inch. Anything larger, a mold has to be made from the fish, or they do a skin mount. You wouldn't want to catch a 38 inch fish and have a 35 inch replica. At least I would not want a substitute.

My opinion is if it is under 12" or over 20" it is a personal decision, and no one should be criticized for doing it. And yes, I am saying if someone catches a ten pound brown, there is nothing inherently wrong with him taking it home. Like Terry Beeson said, there is nothing wrong with having personal feelings against someone keeping a legal trout, just so long as you keep it to yourself, I don't try to make the person feel bad. A couple of years ago in Michigan I caught a big smallmouth bass. The fish was perfectly legal, so I decided to keep him for dinner that night. I got thouroughly yelled at by a couple of guys who were fishing on the other side of the river. I explained to them that the fish was 6" the minimum length limit, and that I had already released ten nice bass that day, so the population was clearly strong, so I am going to fry this one up tonight. People like that kinda make me sick.

[tippett7]

If someone catches a 38" brown trout out of Taneycomo I would like to see it. Can't say its never been done, but how often will you catch one that big?

I like to take pictures of the fish and measure the length and girth and have never had a bad replica. The law allows people to keep trophy browns and rainbows with is fine, but I think it is a matter of selfishness. It's hard to release a big fish like that back in the water, but think of how many other people will have the chance to catch that fish. I keep some small ones every once in a while to eat them. The best way I have found to cook them is in the dishwasher.

Yes I said the dishwasher. Just make sure you don't use any soap.

[Guest]

deleted

[laker67]

If someone catches a 38" brown trout out of Taneycomo I would like to see it. Can't say its never been done, but how often will you catch one that big?

I like to take pictures of the fish and measure the length and girth and have never had a bad replica. The law allows people to keep trophy browns and rainbows with is fine, but I think it is a matter of selfishness. It's hard to release a big fish like that back in the water, but think of how many other people will have the chance to catch that fish.

In 05, two were caught from T-como between 36 and 38.5. As far as seeing the fish, travel to Backcountry Outfitters and have a look. T-como has the ability to produce fish like this on a yearly basis. The problem being, finding them, and then catching them. When you fish 30 plus years for a fish that size, more than likely you will keep it. Fish that size are near the end of their life span. According to SOH, about 13 years in missouri. Put me on your list of selfish people.

[duckydoty]

Now we all know you tried to keep that fish alive. The only reason you kept it was because it did expire. One of these days when I grow up I'm gonna be just like you, Rick! I still need to fish Taney for another 20 years though

[Murdoc]

Laker is right. That size fish will have very little chance of living even with a short fight. If I catch a 15lb fish it will be very hard to turn it loose! I'm like laker as in fish for the big ones! I'm more impressed with someone catching one fish 10lbs than someone catching 60 bullets. It's personal preference on keeping fish. That's what America is all about. Free to chose, for now.

[ozark trout fisher]

Now we all know you tried to keep that fish alive. The only reason you kept it was because it did expire. One of these days when I grow up I'm gonna be just like you, Rick! I still need to fish Taney for another 20 years though

It's not selfish to keep a legal fish. It is one thing to dog a fragile fishery to death by keeping a stringer every day, but it's not selfish to keep a big one in a heavily stocked fishery like upper Taney. I feel like I have to defend myself here, because, when I go to the White River in Arkansas each year, I keep fish, and sometimes I keep good ones. I mean, I get there once every year, and for example I kept an 18" brown there last year. I didn't and don't feel the least bit bad about it. It was legal, and it didn't hurt the fishery one bit. I consider myself a true conservationist. When I fish the little creeks and rivers down in the Ozarks, I don't keep fish at all, save maybe a stringer or too of bluegill. But if I am fishing a heavily stocked waterway like a trout park, the White River, or Lake Taneycomo, I feel free to take my limit, and I don't feel one bit selfish. And I always enjoy the fish fry afterwards a whole lot. Fishing, is at it's heart a blood sport. That ain't ever gonna change.

[Don]

Beeson summed it up pretty well.

I keep a few once in a blue moon. The best tasting ones are approx. 10 in. long. I only keep them when I cook them the same day, not to freeze. Mostly do that on camp trip fish frys. I let all my big ones go. Just think of how many others released that big fish just so I had my chance at it. Take pics and make replicas instead on the big ones.

Don