Catch And Release Fishing

A Guide to The Proper Method of Catch and Release Fishing

catch and release fishing

Catch And Release

Fishing is a sport, but it has become less about survival and more about fun in recent decades. There is an issue of fish becoming depleted and many anglers are now employing the practice of catch and release fishing.

Catch and release fishing is a great theory, but many people are doing it incorrectly and as a result many fish are dying. A few steps should be followed when trying to catch and release a fish. Once you get the hang of how to do it correctly, you will be able to enjoy your hobby and keep the population of fish full in your favorite stream or lake.

The best place to start is with the hooks. A fish that has a hole through its mouth is going to be more likely to survive than a fish with a hole in its lung or gill. If you happen to hook a fish in the gut, the best thing to do is to cut off the hook as much as you can then release the fish.

Many times the hook will dissolve and the fish will spit it out, but they can also live with a rusted hook hanging from them. Whatever you do, do not tug on your line to pull a hook out or you will severely hurt the fish. If you are able to easily remove the hook, use a pair of needle nose pliers. The process of pulling the hook out is easier if you remove the barbs from the hooks, but try not to wiggle while you pull the hook out.

Fish are obviously unable to survive outside of the water. Therefore, the longer that it takes you to release them, the more it becomes as if you are suffocating them. The way that a fish is gripped when out of the water will make a big difference.

For instance, avoid touch a fish’s body with your bare hands. The fish have a slimy protective coat that will be stripped if you touch them with your hands. If you have to touch a fish, make sure that your hands are wet. You may want to wear gloves to protect your hands from cuts or permeating fish smells.

Part of the fun in fishing is to “play out” the fish. The struggle can be what some anglers wait all day to do. Fish are like humans; when they “work out,” they build up lactic acid. When you are fighting a fish, they are fighting too. Just like when someone works his or her body out and it feels sore, a fish experiences the same thing. The build up of lactic acid can be toxic to a fish even days later. Therefore, if you are going to practice catch and release, try to keep the struggle to a minimum.

Try not to let a fish flop around when you catch them. A fish that flops around can bruise or damage its internal organs, causing them to die later from the injuries that are incurred. You can also revive a fish if you need to do so. A fish is likely to run out of oxygen and pass out, so to speak.

In order to revive a fish, you place the fish in the water with their belly down and gently grasp their tail. Start to slowly move their tail back and forth until they give you the signal that they are ready to take off into the water. Sometimes you will need to repeat the process more than once, but don’t let a fish go until they are ready. A fish that is not ready to swim could get carried away and swept into rocks or embankment and cause serious injury.

More than anything, when you are practicing catch and release, have everything ready to go. Make sure that your camera, pliers, and gloves are in reaching distance. Try to take the precautions necessary to preserve fish and one of America’s favorite pastimes.

How To Build A Tree Stand

Steps To Build A Tree Stand For Hunting

Tree stands serve outdoorsmen in various capacities. For hunters, a tree stand is a crucial tool to gain an advantage over game like deer, bear, moose, elk and many other species. A hunter needs to scope out an area that will provide an ideal viewpoint on any game that walks or flies by.

tree standSetting up in that area hours before dawn provides optimal results. A tree stand provides a height advantage, can be prepared far in advance for setting up in early hours, and goes relatively undetected by wildlife.

Picking a Location

One of the first key steps on how to build a tree stand is knowing what kind of site will be the ideal location. Ideally, tree stands should be built on private property. This way, they can be permanent stands that you come back to over the seasons. For the purpose of hunting, you will want to find a fairly large tree with both sufficient girth as well as a sufficient view.

You should be familiar with the layout of the land and be able to identify deer trails, rubs, or places where other game flock to feed. Picking a tree near these trails or clearings will optimize your chance of finding game on hunting days.

Be sure this tree is also healthy – no sign of decay or disease. If and when you climb the tree, you should also consider wearing a safety harness and to not be holding any sharp objects in case of a fall or slip while climbing.

Materials for Building

There is the option to buy pre-fabricated stands, but perhaps one of the easiest ways to optimize a space is to build your own. Anchor a stand to a tree in three basic ways: by posts, bolts, or suspension.

Although bolts can damage a tree, they can directly support the platform for a small stand. Several 2x6s around a crotch in the tree can form adequate support beams that support the platform with the use of several galvanized rafter ties. Bracing the platform with a couple of angled 2x4s is also wise.

The rest of the materials depend on your tree stand design, including the kind of access and if the stand will be open-air or be mostly sheltered. In addition, paint or attached foliage can further disguise the stand.

Assembling the Stand

How to build a tree stand that will be safe largely depends on the precautions taken to build the platform. Next, creating a safe and secure access – such as a ladder – is key. Some hunters choose to simply nail pieces of wood to provide footing up a trunk; this is fine, as long as you are confident the nails will support your weight and stand up to the elements and time.

Finally, consider making light frames and covering them with plywood if you want to make a simple upper design. Where you place openings for visibility will need to be strategic for sighting game.

Have fun building, and always be safe!