Helpful Hint - Catch and Release Methods and Rules by Jim Allan

AFTER THE 2 FISH LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. CYGNETS CAN CONTINUE TO FISH ON A CATCH AND RELEASE (C&R) BASIS

HELPFUL HINT BY JIM ALLAN

SWANSWATER CYGNETS JAC

CATCH AND RELEASE RULES AND METHODS

• SINGLE FLY - BARBLESS/DEBARBED HOOK (MILL POND AND MEADOW POND ONLY)

• WHERE POSSIBLE BRING FISH TO SIDE, KEEP IN WATER.  TRY NOT TO HANDLE FISH; IF YOU HAVE TO, ENSURE HANDS ARE WET.  KNEEL DOWN AND SLIP OUT HOOK (FORCEPS/PLIERS/RELEASE TOOL CAN BE USED)

• IF HAVING TROUBLE, A NET MAY BE USED (FINE KNOTLESS TYPE) TO ALLOW EASIER HANDLING.  STILL TRY TO KEEP FISH IN WATER TO REMOVE HOOK

• LAST RESORT - LIFT FISH OUT ONTO BANK (IN NET) REMOVE HOOK QUICKLY, RETURN FISH TO WATER AND SUPPORT IT UNTIL ITS STRENGTH RETURNS AND IT SWIMS OFF.

• YOU CAN DELIBERATELY RELEASE A FISH WHEN PLAYING A FISH BY ALLOWING SLACK LINE - TIGHT LINE - SLACK LINE METHOD.  THIS OFTEN ALLOWS THE HOOK TO SLIP OUT QUITE QUICKLY.  IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, REVERT TO FIRST METHOD (ANY FISH  RELEASED IN THIS MANNER MUST BE VERIFIED  BY A WATERSIDE ASSISTANT FOR IT TO BE COUNTED IN CATCH TOTAL)

• PLEASE NOTE  A FISH THAT IS HOOKED AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY "THROWS" THE HOOK OR LEAPS FROM THE WATER AND GETS OFF DOES NOT COUNT AS CATCH AND RELEASE (C&R).  ONLY THE "DELIBERATE" METHOD COUNTS. 

A WATERSIDE ASSISTANT WILL BE THERE TO ASSIST YOU ALL IN THE ABOVE PROCESS.

Tightlines