Catch and Release.......Yeah Sure!

[flybob]

So Mark and I were having this discussion about the people that fish a certain pond that USED to be filled with huge bass and bluegill…in abundance. Lately the pond has yielded fewer of the specimens that drew us there in the first place.

My feeling was that over the past two years, the word got out and people were fishing for dinner. The overall consensus was that the majority of people who fish DO NOT practice Catch and Release. But there never seemed to be anyone else fishing this place while we were there, a good thing for sure, to have some water all to yourself, but a quandary as to why are the catch levels diminishing.

Well here you go, as I tube around the tules I occasionally find these shimmering, colorful things glistening in the morning sun, as I move in for a closer inspection, this is what I have been finding stuck in the tules!



This one was particularly distressing, can you imagine chomping down on a frog, and having these two HUGE hooks impale the roof of your mouth!



Now, can you imagine having to RIP those two hooks from the roof of the bass’s mouth, probably just rips the lip right off!

These do not look like the tools of a fisherman who practices Catch and Release!
I guess my only solace is that some of these lures are pretty expensive, and now I have cut the barbs off, and thrown the lures in the trash!

Hopefully, the takers will not waste anymore of their precious time there, and will move on to other more fertile grounds….giving this pond a chance to recover.


Flybob

[Wildman]

That explains it....I just thought I was a lousy pond fisherman the day I was there. There's still hope for me yet.

[flybob]

That explains it....I just thought I was a lousy pond fisherman the day I was there. There's still hope for me yet.

Believe me Jim, it was NOT you!

Man I still feel bad about that one!

btw, went there last month and got skunked for the first time!

[fly addict]

From the looks of those lures, it might be the same guy. I think I know who is poaching your pond. They seem to be poaching the whole country and we just keep giving them all kinds of goodies as they go on their merry way.

Mark

[mk4]

The overall consensus was that the majority of people who fish DO NOT practice Catch and Release.

Wow, thanks for the heads up.

Imagine chomping down on a frog, and having these two HUGE hooks impale the roof of your mouth!

Now, can you imagine having to RIP those two hooks from the roof of the bass’s mouth, probably just rips the lip right off!

How about biting down on a size 6 streamer, or a size 24 midge. Yeah, some flies are debarbed, it's still unpleasant.

I think you're overlooking a few things. I find just as much flies near river as I do lures, they're just smaller and harder to see. Lures, like flies, are both artificials, and essentially, there's little difference between them. Lures, like flies, do less harm to a fish, than swallowed bait.

I guess my only solace is that some of these lures are pretty expensive, and now I have cut the barbs off, and thrown the lures in the trash!

If you found barbed flies on the river or lake, would you cut the barb off and throw them in the trash?

[Papasequoia]

If you found barbed flies on the river or lake, would you cut the barb off and throw them in the trash?

If I ever see a fly with barbed treble hooks I promise I will throw it in the trash. A fly with a set of two barbed treble hooks gets special treatment. Just haven't seen any yet.

[rkfiske]

These dudes are probably fishing in the evening, could be why you haven't crossed paths with them.

[Eric]

Sad but legal.
Eric

[Rob909]

I don't know about this pond Bob, but I am sure your reasoning is dead on as to lower fish counts


Rob

[flyfishnevada]

The professional bass fishermen use stuff like that all the time. I don't believe they are barbless. They release hundreds of fish every year. Not advocating, just saying.

[1mocast]

I think part of it is the economy. More time, less money and I want fish for dinner.

[briansII]

The professional bass fishermen use stuff like that all the time. I don't believe they are barbless. They release hundreds of fish every year. Not advocating, just saying.

Yep, but we're talking about thousands, if not millions each year. Most serious bass fishermen are C&R. They don't have to be professionals to except C&R practices. Even many of the non tournament guys are C&R. Largemouth bass also have this going for them. IMHO not a very good eating fish. I have heard some folks like to eat LMB.

I have no clue of the situation at this pond, but judging from the lures you found, you have a mix of some knowledgeable, and not so knowledgeable fishermen. And, if you found that many lures in the tules, then there are MANY more you haven't found. Seems to me, that pond is receiving some consistent angling pressure.

briansII

[flybob]

The overall consensus was that the majority of people who fish DO NOT practice Catch and Release.

Wow, thanks for the heads up.

Imagine chomping down on a frog, and having these two HUGE hooks impale the roof of your mouth!

Now, can you imagine having to RIP those two hooks from the roof of the bass’s mouth, probably just rips the lip right off!

How about biting down on a size 6 streamer, or a size 24 midge. Yeah, some flies are debarbed, it's still unpleasant.

I think you're overlooking a few things. I find just as much flies near river as I do lures, they're just smaller and harder to see. Lures, like flies, are both artificials, and essentially, there's little difference between them. Lures, like flies, do less harm to a fish, than swallowed bait.

I guess my only solace is that some of these lures are pretty expensive, and now I have cut the barbs off, and thrown the lures in the trash!

If you found barbed flies on the river or lake, would you cut the barb off and throw them in the trash?

All your points well taken. Thank you for pointing out my hypocrisy.

I guess I am just venting my frustration with the fact that this little pond in particular was a jewel of a self sustained fishery, more of an accident in the middle of suburbia. Why can't the average fisherman see that it can continue to be that way for the long haul if self managed correctly, thereby sustaining the fun that can be had, instead of just raping it and moving on to the next? I am not trying to be a Prima Dona, but I enjoy fishing......do they fish for fun, or do they fish to kill fish, or is killing fish fun? I don't have the answers, and maybe when comes down to it, I am angry because I am selfish and I want to continue to fish that place and have great days on the water catching lot of nice size good fighting fish.

Lots of interesting views here......

And for the record. I have only been flyfishing for 5 years, so I am still learning, not just about fishing either, everything is a revelation for me.

Bob

[Rob909]

I don't have the answers, and maybe when comes down to it, I am angry because I am selfish and I want to continue to fish that place have have great days on the water catching lot of nice size good fighting fish.

Not selfish at all Bob.

This is no different than wanting to protect any of our favorite places from being overrun.....whether it is by the catch and kill crowd that already knows about it, or because it was outed by a person that just doesn't get it.

Different stories......same result. Just have to keep it tight lipped and share with those you trust.....if at all.


Rob

[mk4]

All your points well taken. Thank you for pointing out my hypocrisy.

I was probably a little over the top, but I get what you're getting at.

Have you tried contacting management about making the place C&R?