Here's a good reason not to reveal your "honey holes" !

[Andrew]

I just read this post on another site, a CT fishing site. I've edited out most of the irrelevant stuff. But think about this: catch and release studies show that mortality varies widely depending on a large number of factors. It can be very low at times...but some studies reveal mortality of up to 50, 60, even 70%. People often say their fish were "released to fight another day", but none of us really know where exactly we fall in that 0 to 70 % mortality range. I'm not trying to jump on this guy's case - my understanding is that he's a nice guy. And to a degree, his heart is in the right place.

But at some point, isn't enough enough ??

Food for thought...




"I had three days off this week so I planned on checking out the early season trout fishing and I wasn't disappointed. Matter of fact, I had a few of my personal bests ever, one was getting 3 huge breeders within the personal best 201 trout within 24 hours I managed to hook and release safely on Tuesday and Wednesday...

it took 7 hours on Tuesday to get the first 81 trout and then 6 hours on Wed with perfected technique and better equipment and lures I got 119.

The fish were all caught along a approximate 1 mile stretch that had been recently stocked as were most areas in CT were recently the last couple of weeks. Overall, I caught 99% of the fish all on mixed tiny soft plastics. I tried briefly using trout spinners but even with the barbs pinched down the few fish I caught and released, it was hard dehooking them so I pretty much gave up using them and will be selling off the few I have, its not worth the trouble anymore and I'm not into stressing the fish out more than necessary by trying to dehook trebles. The nice thing about using a single hook with a barb crushed down is that the fish 99% of the time, release themselves relatively unharmed by fall off the hook before you need to handle them with wet hands.
Many of the fish were approx. 12", only a few 8-10", plenty of 14-16" fish too. Mostly rainbows and browns with some brookies thrown in.
The three breeders were 2 Rainbows 22-24" and HEAVY trophy fish-very wall mountable, the other was an old brown about 20" with a kyped jaw and nice high backbone with very dark colors but with some fin rot which I made sure I didn't touch to spread to other fish. All 201 fish were released safely except for one that was a unintentional fatality unfortunately."

[Catch 22]

But at some point, isn't enough enough ??


I would have to say so. I could never be bothered catching that many, never mind counting them. How the heck do you count that many? I lose count after about a half dozen. I get bored if the fishing is too easy, and start switching flies, tactics, etc.

The lowest mortality figures I've seen are 5% (for barbless flies), usually higher with bait or single hook lures. Fishing is a blood sport, regardless of catch and release, but where should the line be drawn? I guess that is up to the individual.

Jeff

[Adam Taylor]

fisherman stretch the truth

[waterworker]

Either a liar or an idiot or both!.............I think both!

[pvansch1]

201 fish in a 24 hour period? If you fished 24 hours straight that's 8.375 fish an hour or a fish every 7 minutes.
Using dynamite and net I guess it's possible.

[Z Fisher]

Either a liar or an idiot or both!.............I think both!

Amen!

Up in New Hampshire I've been into pods of fish just after opening day that makes for easy fishing, but I agree about getting bored, how many dumb fish can you catch and still want to cast a line?

I guess I fish for different reasons.

[Jon]

Either a liar or an idiot or both!.............I think both!

His fishing may seem excessive (to me, at any rate), but, as Andrew mentioned, he showed a certain consciousness for what he was doing. So, neither of the above, in my view, and we should be mindful to avoid this kind of language where possible, please :-)

There seems to be a thin line between success and greed. As individuals one and all, this line shifts depending upon where we find ourselves in our angling 'careers'.

Tight (but sometimes slack) lines,

Jon

[Col. Trautman]

He must have had a gold swing counter :)

I usually use my fingers and dont count past 10 :cool: (if I can get that many of course)

Jamie

[trouter203]

the quality of the experience should not be judged by the quantity of fish. i will say that when i was younger that i did not feel that way and i counted fish.

[waterworker]

I sorry if those words offended you but that is the way I feel.When subjects like this come up,you must expect some passionate language.Actually,I went easy.Again,sorry.If I can't "control" myself,I won't comment.

[Jon]

Waterworker, we're not at odds, and I'm sorry if it seemed that I was singling you out. I enjoy passionate debate, and agree with you that control should be exercised so we don’t fall into the "disrespectful" category.

I'll defer to the site:

***It's OK to disagree and debate — just do it respectfully.***No bashing other members, clubs, Shops, etc.***

Cheers –Jon

[The Fisherman]

I hemmed and hawed about posting to this thread, and in the end I decided to simply say that while I do believe that we all fish for pleasure, and those pleasures clearly differ from angler to angler, I'm glad this particualar mojo isn't found on flyaddict. :-)

And, to Andrew's original point, well said. You never know how the information you supply is going to be (ab)used.

[Andrew]

I wasn't trying to provide commentary on what is or is not the right way to enjoy fishing. I don't care if somebody counts fish or not, or how they catch them.

My point was that if somebody is willing to pull trout out of a mile long stretch of river until he's caught every last one, it's worth considering that he might just show up on the stretch of river you like to fish. Just sayin', as we say around here.

I also realize these are stockies, which are only a step removed from the ones wrapped in styrofoam and cellophane at Stop-n-Shop, but still, you've got to wonder what such a fisherman might do if they were wild trout or even native fish. Stop at 5? 50? Not likely.

As to whether he's telling the truth, I have no idea. I know very little about how recently stocked trout behave or how effective soft plastics like "Trout Magnets" are on these fish. I've never gotten the impression that this particular guys is thought to embellish, but who knows. I certainly do. For example, I caught zero fish yesterday. Not a one.

[The Fisherman]

I got that beat. I haven't caught a fish yet this year.

[pvansch1]

Last fish to hand was back in October on a stealheading journey, 14" rainbow.

[Andrew]

I got that beat. I haven't caught a fish yet this year.

Actually, I was "embellishing" - I DID get a striper yesterday. First one of the season for me.

[The Fisherman]

I wasn't. But I'm glad you're on the board. I have plans to join you soon. :-)

[trouter203]

I I know very little about how recently stocked trout behave or how effective soft plastics like "Trout Magnets" are on these fish.

the word "magnet" is not an exaggeration. 'nuff said.

[Rich Strolis]

the quality of the experience should not be judged by the quantity of fish. i will say that when i was younger that i did not feel that way and i counted fish.

I agree whole heartedly, and also as I have said before there are factions of groups forming with the same mentality as this particular person who are driven by numbers and feel compelled to constantly outdo the next person losing sight of what it should be all about. Constantly striving to get more. Sportsman or glutton? I think you all know the answer.

[Andrew]

And here's why we should be cautious with information about hot bites in saltwater spots, as well:

This is a post from another site on a discussion of poaching of stripers:


"Here's how it works, and i describe this from night after night at (a certain spot), having watched it first hand.

5 "friends" come down with duffle bags, and procede to toss each and evryone of the fish into the dufle bag for a few hours. lets say each guy fits, in this case 40 stripers, eadch about 24 inches long. so that 80 trout at 12 inches long per guy. you do the math on how that works out for 5 guys with 80 trout. DUFFLEBAGS of fish, man. im dead serious.

still dont believe me? head down to (a certain spot) tomorrow night, and watch the fun yourselves. this happens just like you are imagining it gents. cast, place fish in dufflebag, repeat 50 times. call some friends, and continue with company. ive seen it with bass on the coldest of nights, when noone in thier right mind should be out in january and february."

[The Fisherman]

In ths spirit of this site's policy, the exact location contained in that report has been removed.

[Andrew]

In ths spirit of this site's policy, the exact location contained in that report has been removed.

Doh! I forgot to edit first! Sorry.

[Andrew]

okay...well then pick up the gosh darn phone and call the DEP...if this is a legit scenario...not an embellishment...call the dep to make a courtesy check....

Frankly now that I am re-reading that the person writing the report on the forum is just as "guilty" if he or she did not make a call....and if this a common occurence why aren't encon there more often???? Sorry story has holes in it.....

In the meantime...new policy...went to river caught fish.....not saying what kind...what I used...what the temp was...if there was anyone else around...or the like.

I have not seen anyone spouting off "specific" holes...just generalized locations...but if the world wide web is spreading this information and it is hurting our resource then eliminate ALL reports.

the previous information and 2 bucks will get you a small coffee...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e177/scorpion2076/beatdeadhorse5.gif

Adam,

It's not entirely clear to me why this has you so riled up. I agree with you that most - virtually all - of the posts I see seem perfectly reasonable to me with respect to the amount of location information they contain. But there was indeed a discussion here that seemed to suggest a) the problem with posts containing information was about keeping away other fly fishermen, when in fact Todd mentioned the issue of poachers, and b) there was the sentiment that talking about streams was problematic but saltwater was somehow different.

My point in making this post was to show that if somebody mentions a really hot striper bite somewhere, it is certainly possible that very large numbers of those undersized fish will be kept illegally. And of course being discreet about this information and calling the DEP are not mutually exclusive.

Why you would think that I'm somehow suggesting that including information about water temperature or what fly you were using is even in the same category is beyond me. And if you think it's a dead horse, I don't know why you even showed up to watch the beating; you can always read the other forums.

Anyway, I get the message. You won't hear any more about it from me.

[The Fisherman]

Andrew, no worries. :-)

I deleted the location because this is one of those spots that can only accomodate a few anglers at a time. It has nothing to do with fresh or saltwater.

Please, let's relax on this or take it offline via PMs. We thank you.

[Brookiez]

I got that beat. I haven't caught a fish yet this year.

looks like a very nice weekend coming up i think you need fix that :)

[The Fisherman]

Too late! I caught a stockee rainbow on the Willi on Monday.

But thanks for the encouragement. :-)