Catch and Release?

[gonefishin]

The main reason I see for catch and release is to preserve the population of a species. As they are man stocked, I dont worry much about the trout population in Taney or the trout parks as long as the creel limits are obeyed.

[Greg]

Has anyone ever thought that us catch and release advocates serve another purpose: They probably allow other fisherman that like to take a few home for the freezer to do so - at least in some heavily pressured areas like Taneycomo.

Think about it: If every trout fisherman on taneycomo kept every fish they caught - what would happen to the fishery? I'll bet it would not be long before the bag limits were cut back severely. And on the other hand - if it were not for the people that catch and keep the lake might eventually be over run with smaller fish. Obviously the bag limits are set up so that both sides kind of balance out.

Also with the bigger fish - If there were not a significant portion of us releasing most every big fish caught on the upper lake - Upper Taneycomo would not be the big trout paradise we know and love. I'd also be willing to bet that the gentleman that caught the big brown that spurred this debate - I'll bet his particular fish was caught and released several times before he caught it. It was maybe even caught a time or 2 after it was legal (over 20") and released thereby giving that gentleman the chance to take it home to be mounted, eaten, whatever.

Greg

[ecce38]

And if he catches a big fish and turns to me and says, "dad, can we eat him"...I say...."SURE!!!" He gets extra enjoyment out of eating a fish he caught....and I'm not about to tell him which ones are OK with some folks if he does....he caught it, he can eat it. I guess one day he'll be happy to let a few go himself....but he'll get there like the rest of us...because he earned it, not because someone thought they knew better.

I completely understand the sentiment behind your remarks. But as one who works with teenagers on a daily basis, I worry. They chuckle or say "you're crazy" whenever I tell them I release big fish after catching them. To release a trophy fish is totally alien to them. Unlike your situation, I'm not sure these kids will ever "get there like the rest of us." Many comment about not even having a license or about bringing home as many fish as possible. They lack any sense of a conservation ethic I'm sad to say. Such an ethic must be taught and reinforced so as to become part of their mentality. My stepson used to complain about fishing with me and never bringing home fish (we have a digital camera instead). Have I denied him a certain amount of enjoyment? Absolutely. But he also gets satisfaction out of knowing he's making a contribution. And now, since he's done it so much (and has been told the reasons for it), he's completely ok with it.

[Tightline]

I can say that I don't disagree entirely with ANY of the post on here about this subject.

I have fished the trophy area almost every Friday since the end of June,and have seen hundreds of fishermen this summer down there. I saw a boy with 2 little trout on a stringer and the big one I seen caught Fiday taken home.

Has anyone witnessed alot of trout being taken home?

Even the shufflers I've seen have been turning them back.

So really just how big a deal is it if someone keeps them.As for the big Brown caught Friday,I don't know how this man could've done anything different to keep the big fish from going belly up.It had a bad gash in its gill plate from maybe a prop or someone tried to grab it that may have weakened it.

At first it looked like he had foul hooked it in the back but when it was netted I could see he had a 2 fly set up and the bottom one was in the mouth.I might have tried a little longer to revive it,but at least he tried.

TL

[Charley Hart]

The main reason I see for catch and release is to preserve the population of a species. As they are man stocked, I dont worry much about the trout population in Taney or the trout parks as long as the creel limits are obeyed.

Sorry to resurect this. Been a while since I posted. Been away fishing and doing the dad thing with a new baby girl! Not sleeping at all...

I too am strictly a C&R fisherman. I do have concerns C&R is just another example of PC invading our culture. Used to be people kept all fish. Then someone decided to let them all go... I worry about what is next.

I worry that we will someday lose the whole sport to wackos that think it is cruel. To some this sound crazy, but there are crazies out there!

IMO taking a legal fish is fine.

Now poachers are different all together!

[Wayne SW/MO]

ecce38, maybe its your approach to these teens. I have two grandsons that never quibble about releasing fish, and the 15 year old released a 7-8lb bass just last year. Even when fish are being kept they understand the concept of keeping what you will really use.

Much of their training came from example, I released most of my fish when my son was young, he followed, and they follow.

[Terry Beeson]

I worry that we will someday lose the whole sport to wackos that think it is cruel. To some this sound crazy, but there are crazies out there!

Charley,

They are already out there working on that... they're called "PETA members"...

I agree with your position. I practice C&R on most species of fish and only take what I will eat of the few I do eat. I think there has to be a mix, for sure. However, there are ethics involved as well as regulations. And I am totally against poachers, too...

Terry - Member in good standing of PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals...

[Guest lbt]

I think that the most important issue is fish preservation with out us and by what I mean by us is the C/R guys there would soon be a huge decrease of fish in the area. I do realize that the MDC Stocks fish on a regualer basis so is that what we want a place to go and catch 13-14 inch fish all day long. I think that is what they have the state parks for.

What I really think needs to happen at Taney is for the MDC to close the dam 1 mile down and no fishing from November to Febuary what would all the outlet snaggers do then. I do not think that is right for people to go do and intentialy fish to spawning fish and then rip them out of the water with their eggs and kill them. I thought us fisherman were supposed to be conservation minded people. I must be wrong.

I am so tired of going to Taney in the month of October and November and see the snaggers and you know who you are catch a fish in the tail fight it 30 -45 minutes and get it in and take a pic just so you can say you caught a 16-20lb fish. And then release the fish and stand there and be proud of yourself because you practice C/R. Do you all no know what Lactic Acid is? Thats what builds up in the fish when they are under stress and it will kill them maybe not right then but in 1 -2 hours or maybe even longer.

So untill this happens you guys have no more room to talk than that guy who caught the fish. I will also say that's why the MDC created a Slot limit. The last time I was down I saw that the MDC is working and building a fish ladder system there at outlet 3 that should be real interesting to see how that is going to play out you outlet snaggers should have a hay day. I bet the MDC want have any Browns to spawn out.

[Bob A]

Ibt, glad to see your post on the outlet snaggers (pretend fishermen). I think to any intelligent, ethical fisherman, watching these "outlet warriors" is enough to turn any of out stomachs. This is the one main reason I avoid that area because I always come away sick, about to puke, when I see the disgusting actions of these pretend fishermen. I too would like to see Taney closed for some distance below the dam but can imagine the outcry raised by these outlet warriors who probably could not catch a fish any other way. Oh well. Blowing in the wind here.

Bob A

[Wayne SW/MO]

I too would like to see Taney closed for some distance below the dam but can imagine the outcry raised by these outlet warriors

I don't think thats necessary, an off limits area would be enough. Back them off and you eliminate the "lift" which is responsible for most of the snagging.