Rich Landers: Catch-and-release anglers know to handle with care

Most anglers are on the same page at the point of poking hooks into the jaws of fish.

The differences begin once the fish are reeled in.

Depending on the situation, we net the fish or let it slap on the shoreline rocks, snap it on a stringer or whack it on the head with a club and toss it into a cooler to chill.

Generally this is all acceptable when the fish is headed for the dinner table.

But in special regulations waters, where fish are too valuable to be caught just once, most anglers realize that everyone benefits when fish are handled with the gentle care given to newborn babies.

I was reminded of this Monday morning by several e-mails from anglers commenting on a photo published in the Sunday Outdoors section. The photo featured Coeur d’Alene fishing guide Greg Putnam removing the hook from the jaw of a 15-inch cutthroat before releasing it back in the St. Joe River.

The photo captured 1/125th of a second of action. Based on that image, several anglers were moved to write.

“I was disappointed in the picture,” wrote Robert Kowal. “It is hard to tell if his hand was wet (it didn’t look like it, but I hope it was).

“Two, it is not necessary usually to release a hook by taking the fish out of the water. It can be released in the water.”

For the record, the day I fished with Putnam, he used forceps to clamp onto the bend in the hook and release almost all the fish he caught without taking them out of the water.

The exceptions were a fish he lifted for me to photograph, and the fish featured in the paper. That fish required a little extra handling to remove a barbless hook that was reluctant to come loose from the fish’s jaw.

Yes, Putnam wet his hands before touching the trout to help prevent disturbing the slime fish produce to protect their skin from fungus and disease.

Kowal, a veteran angler, said his personal fish-handling sensitivity had just recently been enhanced.

“I just returned from an eight-day float trip in Alaska and the guides there were very adamant about keeping the fish in the water and releasing without touching the fish if possible, even 25-inch silver salmon,” he said.

The Alaska guides taught him that most feisty fish can be subdued for hook removal by turning them upside down in the water.

“And when I heard my guide speaking to the fish in a low, bass voice, it calmed down even more. I know it sounds strange, but it worked when I tried it.”

Whatever techniques you use, the basics of catch and release are simple:

Use barbless hooks. … Play the fish reasonably quickly to avoid stressing it to exhaustion. … Use forceps or a hook remover to release the fish without taking it out of the water, if possible. … If you must touch the fish, wet your hands first and don’t squeeze or let the fish thrash on rocks. … Support the fish in water if necessary and let it swim off when it’s ready.

I applaud Kowal and the other writers for caring about the handling of naturally reproducing trout.

“I fish the St. Joe a lot and it is my favorite stream in the NW,” he said. “It is a jewel and protecting the beautiful fish there is a gift back to the river.”

Kokanee closure: Lake Coeur d’Alene kokanee fishing will end Monday night. The emergency closure follows survey results that indicate the number of spawning-age fish is close to last year’s record low.

Spokane River study: Washington researchers are capturing and tagging Spokane River trout this month. Anglers who catch a trout with a spaghetti tag in its dorsal fin can assist the study by reporting the identification number on the tag, along with the location and date of catch to (509) 892-1001.

Idaho fishing rules: A winter catch-and-release fishing season on the Coeur d’Alene River is among numerous proposals to be considered for 2008-2009 fishing seasons at public meetings scheduled by the the Idaho Fish and Game Department.

The meetings start at 7 p.m. as follows:

“Coeur d’Alene, Sept. 4, Idaho Fish and Game, 2885 Kathleen Ave.

“St. Maries, Sept. 11, Avista, 528 College St.

“Bonners Ferry, Sept. 12, County Extension, 6447 Kootenai St.

“Sandpoint, Sept. 18, Federal Building, 1500 Hwy 2.

“Kellogg, Sept. 19, Avista, 120 N. Hill St.

Info: (208) 769-1414.

Boat vacation bargains: Feeling spontaneous? Three local groups are offering exotic boating or paddling trips with special deals for trips in September and October.

“Mothership kayak trip on Lake Roosevelt, based out of a traveling houseboat, Sept. 28-Oct. 3. $699-$849. Register by Friday with Spokane Parks and Recreation, 625-6200.

“Croatia yacht trip, Sept. 14-24 or 20-30, featuring a special last-minute discount of up to $1,000. Contact River Odysseys West (800) 451-6034.

“Baja sea-kayaking and snorkeling, with weekly trips starting Oct. 16. Passport required. Cost is $930 if registering before Sept. 20 with Sea Kayak Adventures, (800) 616-1943.

Signs of the times: Field & Stream magazine announced this week that a Florida man has won the “Total Outdoorsman Challenge” based on competition in the skills of fly fishing, bait casting, air rifle, shotgun, endurance, archery and ATV handling.

Apparently it wasn’t TV- or sponsor-worthy to challenge the contestants to the ultimate sportsman’s skills: building a fire with wet wood and walking silently through the woods.