We do encourage “catch, photo and release” (CPR) fishing. Of course it is not a fishing trip if you don’t eat fresh fish. Our company policy is to kill only the fish you are planning to eat. Let the rest live to not only fight another day but to reproduce and keep our fishing lakes the envy of anglers everywhere. Big fish don’t taste as food as little fish and big fish not only have good genetics for getting big, they generally produce lots of little fish.
When taking the fish from the water for a photo op, please do not use anything other than your hands to hold the fish. Yes they are sometimes slimy but your hands will wash and the fish will thank you for not removing his protective slime.
My message here is please do not use pliers, rough gloves, towels, big fish jaws etc. to hold the fish. The slime on the fish may be slightly messy to you but is vitally important to the fish.
