Mandatory C&R and bleeders......

[Bainter1212]

Thanks guys. I will definitely go back to Heenan sometime in the near future (if she lets me sneak away) and fish it again. Decided to go with the single hook barbless switch. You guys are great. If you see me out on the water anywhere, don't be shy, say hi!

"One Fish" Bainter

[iggybabble]

Cutts have a reputation for suicidal strikes......they gulp lures like other trout eat power bait. Siwash hooks are available to switch out in place of trebles.......I'm guessing that the DFG suggestions for leaving them in the water and cutting the leader really only makes sense with flies, I can't imagine a 1/4 oz Kastmaster hanging inside a trouts esophagus leaves much chance for survival. Bears, Osprey, Bald Eagles.......all eat the casualties that end up on the bank. If you did your best, don't second guess your methods or techniques! It sounds like you really made the effort to return the fish in good shape..Bob

[pdgs]

On C&R waterways, I always switch to singles and I buy the inexpensive ones that rust away rapidly. I've never lost a fish because of the inexpensive hooks.

As for what to do with a bleeder, there's really nothing to think about, you just do your best to revive it and if you can't, you still release it. It will feed something else vital to the health of the waterway. If it helps, I get a tear in my eye when I have one like that too.

[Jetspray]

Siwash, split ring, barrel swivel, split ring, lure......Pyramid special for the roll when they come in and it adds a little length to get a pair of pliers or hemostats in to remove the hook. I'm just sayin'.........Jetspray

[Nighthawk]

As I've written here before, I always change out my trebles to single siwash, particularly on spoons. As to returning obviously dying fish, do as the particular regs say for each body of water. Believe me there are plenty of birds, mammals, etc. that will continue the cycle of life. Everyone is to be commended for their efforts to C&R fish to be caught another day and/or even spawn but sometimes it just isn't going to happen.

[Captain Compassion]

I think I like this idea of changing out the hooks for singles. Plus it gives me an excuse to buy duplicates afterwards so I can have "one of each" available in the future

This is common at Pyramid. IMHO the larger single hook hold the large mouth LCT better than a treble.

CC

[Captain Compassion]

Reguardless of the condition of the fish you have to let it go even if it floats. Several years ago I caught a rainbow while trolling Heenan. The DFG don't like rainbows in Heenan because they cross breed with the cutts. But the rules are the rules. I let it go on the shore. :-)

CC

[Bainter1212]

I think I like this idea of changing out the hooks for singles. Plus it gives me an excuse to buy duplicates afterwards so I can have "one of each" available in the future

"One Fish" Bainter

[piscolabis]

As ISOF and two friends saw me doing at lunch on Friday at Heenan, with lures I change out my treble hooks and replace with barbless single hooks. You miss more fish, but you still get the hits and certainly improve your skill at catching.
The gate keeper at Heenan told me the Black Bears patrol the shore for dead fish. A returned bleeding fish is going to get eaten by birds, other mammals or the bears. You're right about not keeping the fish. Never keep the fish if the regs. say it is illegal. I'm positive lots of people would say, "It was bleeding so I kept it."
- Tom

[insearchoffish]

The sign by the gate just had information on how to minimize impact on the fish. It is not a "rule" that you cant take them out and have to cut hooks / lures they just suggest it. They had a few other suggestions but I cant read them in the pic.