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Some of you have been perplexed about how there is a photo of me and a fish if there is no one there with me. I have a gadget with an extension handle that holds my iPhone, and then I adjust the camera to a timer release setting. I have grandchildren who enjoy seeing photos of the fish I catch, so I figured out a way to be in all the “fish” photos for them.
Naturally, I wouldn’t have to resort to such underhanded legerdemain if I had friends who would come along fly fishing with me to the marsh and help me control the pesky redfish population that's threatening our west bay marshes and help capture the memorable photo moments. Seems I have to do both single handed.
I have heard conflicting opinions about the correct way to handle a fish prior to release. There is a school of opinion that fish should not be held vertically because it hurts the fish. After about 70 years of fishing and releasing more fish than some folks have even caught, I can honestly say that during the few moments that a fish is out of the water, it doesn't really seem to matter if you hold it vertical, horizontal, or upside down (I have actually heard that it calms a fish to hold it upside down - but if you live long enough you're likely to hear just about anything). The important thing about releasing a fish is to limit the time it's actually out of the water, hold it right side up in the water for a few moments so it can get equilibrium and oxygenated water back to its gills. After it gets equilibrium and you see the gills start flaring, wag the tail back and forth a few times to remind the fish what's expected of it next and then gently let it go. I have actually seen someone take great care to hold a fish vertical and then release it by throwing it about 12 feet out into the water.
As I have said before, I don’t like to chase reds in the marsh during periods of high tide. My outings have been limited over the past few weeks mainly because of early morning high tides and strange winds. The few times I went out proved to be very difficult fly fishing out of a kayak . Unfortunately, I have a rather debilitating pulmonary condition that precludes my staying out over a few hours each morning during these periods of intense heat and humidity.
You will notice that one photo is a sheepshead. It was tailing, and I thought I was casting to a red. I caught it on the same pink, clouser looking near enough shrimp fly that I use for reds. On this same morning I saw a 6 to 7 foot shark cruising the edges of that south shore marsh. That'll put a hitch in your get along when you're in a 10' kayak and see one of those.
Magical photos are attached. All fish were released frightened but unharmed.
Naturally, I wouldn’t have to resort to such underhanded legerdemain if I had friends who would come along fly fishing with me to the marsh and help me control the pesky redfish population that's threatening our west bay marshes and help capture the memorable photo moments. Seems I have to do both single handed.
I have heard conflicting opinions about the correct way to handle a fish prior to release. There is a school of opinion that fish should not be held vertically because it hurts the fish. After about 70 years of fishing and releasing more fish than some folks have even caught, I can honestly say that during the few moments that a fish is out of the water, it doesn't really seem to matter if you hold it vertical, horizontal, or upside down (I have actually heard that it calms a fish to hold it upside down - but if you live long enough you're likely to hear just about anything). The important thing about releasing a fish is to limit the time it's actually out of the water, hold it right side up in the water for a few moments so it can get equilibrium and oxygenated water back to its gills. After it gets equilibrium and you see the gills start flaring, wag the tail back and forth a few times to remind the fish what's expected of it next and then gently let it go. I have actually seen someone take great care to hold a fish vertical and then release it by throwing it about 12 feet out into the water.
As I have said before, I don’t like to chase reds in the marsh during periods of high tide. My outings have been limited over the past few weeks mainly because of early morning high tides and strange winds. The few times I went out proved to be very difficult fly fishing out of a kayak . Unfortunately, I have a rather debilitating pulmonary condition that precludes my staying out over a few hours each morning during these periods of intense heat and humidity.
You will notice that one photo is a sheepshead. It was tailing, and I thought I was casting to a red. I caught it on the same pink, clouser looking near enough shrimp fly that I use for reds. On this same morning I saw a 6 to 7 foot shark cruising the edges of that south shore marsh. That'll put a hitch in your get along when you're in a 10' kayak and see one of those.
Magical photos are attached. All fish were released frightened but unharmed.
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