ELANDSKLOOF
Forelplaas / Trout Farm
Catch & Release Information
Forelplaas / Trout Farm
Catch & Release Information
We understand that fish may be damaged during catch and release if appropriate caution is not taken, so we provide the following guidelines for catch and release:
Use barbless or de-barbed hooks
Play the fish to the bank as quickly as possible to minimize the fish's exhaustion
Try not to handle the fish out of the water
If possible, unhook the fish without removing it from the water - you may get a little wetter this way, but your fish is much more likely to survive
If you need to weigh the fish, do it in the net (which should be knotless)
Under no circumstances should you handle the fish's gills or squeeze it's lower body
Preferably use pliers, forceps or a "Catchum" tool to hold the hook and "shake" the fish off in the water - a fish is much less likely to suffer damage by thrashing around in the water while you hold a hook, as opposed to being held or laid on the bank
Once unhooked, if the fish does not swim away quickly and strongly, then support the fish in an upright position while it recovers
If deep-hooked or gill hooked, then rather cut the line and release the fish - a fly cost a few rands - a trophy fish can cost hundreds to replace and, anyway, it deserves to live to fight another day!
Use barbless or de-barbed hooks
Play the fish to the bank as quickly as possible to minimize the fish's exhaustion
Try not to handle the fish out of the water
If possible, unhook the fish without removing it from the water - you may get a little wetter this way, but your fish is much more likely to survive
If you need to weigh the fish, do it in the net (which should be knotless)
Under no circumstances should you handle the fish's gills or squeeze it's lower body
Preferably use pliers, forceps or a "Catchum" tool to hold the hook and "shake" the fish off in the water - a fish is much less likely to suffer damage by thrashing around in the water while you hold a hook, as opposed to being held or laid on the bank
Once unhooked, if the fish does not swim away quickly and strongly, then support the fish in an upright position while it recovers
If deep-hooked or gill hooked, then rather cut the line and release the fish - a fly cost a few rands - a trophy fish can cost hundreds to replace and, anyway, it deserves to live to fight another day!
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