Taking Care of Our Fish Water Levels and Photos

As you make your plans for your weekend, temperatures are going to be up again.  Colorado Trout Unlimited recently posted on its website:   “Across the state, stream flows are down and temperatures are up. And fish, especially in the upper Colorado, the Fraser (and the Yampa) are stressed out.

 

That’s why Trout Unlimited is asking Colorado anglers to voluntarily restrict fishing on portions of the Colorado River headwaters stricken by drought and high water temperatures. TU is urging anglers to avoid fishing on the Fraser and Upper Colorado rivers during the hottest part of the day, or to fish in Grand County’s higher-elevation lakes or cooler tailwater areas until conditions improve.”

 

Steve Gossage reminds us that taking pictures of fish this time of year with the warm water temps increases the stress on a fish that has just been stressed out to the max in the fight.  The additional stress being out of the water poses a lethal threat to the fish, too.  Steve offers these tips for the client who wants a photo of the fish: 

• be quick in getting the fish back into the water; 
• guides should hold and release the fish for the client;
• and keep the fish as close to the water. 

One of the reasons catch-and-release is so valuable and important is to keep our waterways and fisheries vibrant and healthy.  Let’s make sure our process of catch-and-release works toward maintaining the health of our fish.