At the center of the C&R process, our knowledge of effective fish handling techniques, basic fish biology and the equipment used to land and release fish are critical to minimize the impact we have on the fish that we catch. We are all quick to jump onto the web and hunt for the latest articles, divulging the hottest flies, latest techniques and cutting-edge equipment to help us CATCH more fish. But, how many of us have put the same energy into trying to improve our knowledge of C&R best practices or basic fish biology? With the amount of information available and the ease at which it can be accessed, in my mind there are no excuses for poor C&R practices. Sure, there are the raw beginners who have heard of C&R but lack the understanding of how fish should be handled to ensure they are released in good condition. However, they are in their minority and in this day and age, a simple Google search will yield multiple reliable sources which give ample details on acceptable C&R practices.
Knowledge and Mindset