It is very pleasant to bring fish home to feed the table. On the other hand, we also have to think about the generations of tomorrow and ensure the sustainability of the different species.
Fish grazing has been practiced by many devotees for several decades. Of course, if we give one back to water, its element, we can’t do that anyway, at the expense of its survival. This act of great refinement becomes even more difficult to perform correctly in winter. The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources in the United States recently published some sound advice on the subject. Here is the gist of his remarks:
thermal barrier
As we know, many salmonids, percids, etc. have difficulty enduring hot water or even hot air in summer. The reverse phenomenon also applies during the winter season. The different species live in chilled waters but are not frozen. When a specimen is taken out of the water, chances are that the outside temperature is much colder than that of the water. When the mercury drops below zero, the water can start to freeze in sensitive areas like the eyes and gills, causing irreversible injuries or serious ailments that threaten the animal’s survival.
It is strongly recommended to minimize the time of exposure to fresh air and release it as soon as possible after capture.
To avoid waiting, which can prove fatal, make sure you have all the useful tools on hand to remove a hook or tripod. In this mission, every second really counts. Specialists suggested wearing your tongs around your neck with a strap or placing them in an open-top container, like a five-gallon kettle, that you keep close to you.
Protection
The fish body is covered with slime. This viscous secretion, which some call slime or goo, protects their skin. In summer, you should wet your hands before touching them to avoid removing them. In winter, remember that your absorbent fabric gloves and mittens can literally act like a sponge, leaving your catch without a protective shield, which can lead to fungal diseases, among other things. Support the fish with your bare hands or at least with plastic or rubber gloves that you have previously wetted.
Also keep in mind that it’s really not a good idea to put your catch directly on the ice to avoid freezing, fin breakage and slime removal.
As I said in my introduction, there is no problem in catching, gutting and consuming fish legally. All other holds should be treated with respect and every effort made to really give them a chance to survive the big fights they have given you. Small fish grow big, to everyone’s delight.
Happy fishing!
