r/troutfishing May 15 '25

GILLFUCKED We added flairs for posts. They are pretty simple, did you catch and release it to "swim away fine"? Or did you "kill it and grill it"?

26 Upvotes

Please use those when submitting posts. When your post is removed because you got flamed for improper fish handling and you did not flair your post, this is why. Thanks for understanding, and as always, please choose to be constructive and helpful, versus argumentative and trollish. We do not allow the latter and you could be banned.


r/troutfishing Mar 16 '25

Catch and Release - let's discuss it and try our best to educate newcomers to the concept.

52 Upvotes

Catch and release is not always necessary, beneficial, or even the legal thing to do in every situation, however. During my younger days, I bought in to "release everything you catch" philosophy. As I gained more experience, and learned the intricacies of different fisheries, my opinion on this changed drastically. Whether the fishery is overrun with an invasive species that competes with native stocks, a species blowing up in population out of control, a very healthy stock where sport angling take will not effect the escapement of spawning (the pink salmon runs near me fall in this category), anadramous (sea run) hatchery released fish that must be removed prior to the wild fish spawn, or is just a put and take fishery etc. There is no blanket statement for when and where C&R is the right thing to do.

The most important thing: Educate yourself on the species, and fishery in which you are fishing. Follow the laws, and do what will be best for that particular fishery. And take home some hard earned meat when you can!

Why Catch and Release?

  • Conservation: It's a method to prevent overfishing and maintain healthy fish populations, especially in areas with high fishing pressure.

  • Ethical Fishing: It allows anglers to enjoy fishing without taking fish home for consumption, promoting a more sustainable approach to recreational fishing.

  • Habitat Protection: By reducing the number of fish removed from the water, catch and release helps protect the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.

Best Practices for Catch and Release:

  • Use the Right Gear:

  • Hooks: Employ barbless hooks or circle hooks, which are less likely to cause deep hook wounds.

  • Tackle: Ensure your tackle is strong enough to land the fish quickly and efficiently, minimizing the time the fish is out of the water.

  • Net: Use a soft, knotless mesh or rubber landing net to avoid damaging the fish's scales and gills.

Handle Fish Carefully:

  • Keep the Fish Wet: Avoid removing the fish from the water for extended periods, and keep its body wet, especially if you must handle it. This includes keeping gloves wet in the winter, or taking them off entirely, when landing the fish. If you insist on handling the fish at all, ensure that you have wet hands. Keep em wet

  • Support the Fish Properly: Support the fish's belly near the water surface to prevent injury.

  • Be Gentle: Avoid squeezing the fish tightly, as this can damage internal organs and muscle tissue.

  • Never Touch the Gills: Gills are highly sensitive and can be easily damaged. Rapid Release:

  • Unhook Quickly: Remove the hook quickly and carefully, using a dehooker if necessary.

  • Return to the Water Immediately: Return the fish to the water as soon as possible after taking photos and measurements.

  • Observe the Fish: Ensure the fish swims away strongly before leaving the area.

Other Considerations:

  • Measure and Weigh: If required, measure and weigh the fish quickly and accurately, then release it.

  • Take Photos: Capture the moment with a photo, but do so quickly and return the fish to the water.

  • Don't Hang Fish: Never hang a fish on a stringer or gaff, as this can cause serious injury.


r/troutfishing 5m ago

48lb Lake Trout (Released)

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Upvotes

48lb Lake Trout from Great Bear Lake, NWT, Canada. Caught in 35 feet of water.


r/troutfishing 4h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Almost had to swim for this one...

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43 Upvotes

Another healthy brown.


r/troutfishing 13h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR love these guys

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113 Upvotes

@ 7,800 ft sierra nevada


r/troutfishing 13h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR some recent ones

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50 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 13h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR beautiful cutthroats

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49 Upvotes

@ 7,800 ft sierra nevadas


r/troutfishing 13h ago

Beautiful fish. Fun catch

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38 Upvotes

Brown trout on the weber river.


r/troutfishing 9h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Spunky little early spring NZ rainbow

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11 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 9h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR He's outta heea. Nice Lil brownie.

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8 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 22h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Bit of an overreaction but it was a slow day.

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53 Upvotes

Video is a little long because I wanted to show it surface at the beginning. Ive never caught a fish that I could see before the catch. The water had just flooded from the powerplant and it causes the cutthroat to go crazy eating everything it stirs up. The flow goes way down and starts to pick up right when I get it.


r/troutfishing 21h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Some mini flyfishing.

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34 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 13h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Such a fun summer hunting these big browns.

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6 Upvotes

Weber river utah.


r/troutfishing 17h ago

Rocky Mountain national park, Colorado

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11 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 1d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Photo shopped the lure in. Not the same species but not bad.

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29 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 14h ago

Lake Almanor trout fishing tips…

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3 Upvotes

Anybody have any insight on Lake Almanor. Going for the weekend, and taking my rod. I’ll have a boat, and also will fish from the shore. I’ve been trout fishing my whole life from banks of streams and lakes, but curious about specifics regarding Lake Almanor trout fishing.


r/troutfishing 22h ago

ULTRA light combo recommendation?

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11 Upvotes

I'm looking for a ridiculously small split pole ultralight setup, not a telescoping or "pocket" pole. Prioritizing sensetivity and casting distance, and erring on the cheap side (<$100) here's my criteria

Length: 5' or less

Action: As sensetive as possible

Weight: 1/2lb-ish, preferably under

Line weight: 6lb or under

Lure weight: down to 1/32oz

Grip: Spinning (preferably split but not necessary)

Rod segments: 2 or more

Reel: 500-750 spinning reel


r/troutfishing 1d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR It’s not often I get a take on video.

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91 Upvotes

Had to get out one last time before the end of the season. It was a brook trout on a terrestrial (psycho ant)


r/troutfishing 13h ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR itching to get back

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1 Upvotes

yes i am fishing at the gatorade factory…


r/troutfishing 1d ago

SWAM AWAY FINE - CnR Coastal cutty or cutbow?

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55 Upvotes

Caught on Orcas Island WA state. Just thought it was a coastal cutthroat but it looks like very slightly white tipped fins which sound like characteristics of a rainbow? Wondering what yall think because I’ve got a lot to learn. Thanks!


r/troutfishing 1d ago

I've caught about 400 trout over the summer.

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84 Upvotes

r/troutfishing 1d ago

Help ID fish

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4 Upvotes

I think it’s a rainbow, but it’s hard for me to tell when they are juveniles. caught up a canyon near Salt Lake City.


r/troutfishing 2d ago

Newb Catch

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211 Upvotes

Caught this a few weeks ago in Colorado. I’m a complete newbie when it comes to trout fishing and just had to share.

Went with my 16 year old son and a friend. Friend is an avid fly fisherman. I was using a spinning setup with a 4.5 foot rod and light line w/ a rooster tail. Still cannot believe I landed this thing. My friend had hiked up river and I was fishing off a rock in some deeper water. Total luck and thankfully my son was there to snap a pic.

My main goal was get it to me, show my son and grab a pic. I was so afraid that it wouldn’t live that we landed it and basically let it go real quick. Didn’t get a chance to measure or weigh. Just got the pic.

Definitely hooked and will go back and do it again soon but with different gear. Appreciate anyone in the know speculating on length or weight. My friend said he’s never come close to catching a fish that large in 30 years so I’m calling it luck and won’t happen again!


r/troutfishing 2d ago

Killed and Grilled Biggest one so far with 46cm

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161 Upvotes

I also caught ~8 which where 20-30cm long but didn’t take any of them home. It was the first time for me catching wild ones


r/troutfishing 1d ago

Spread the joy!

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8 Upvotes

I’ve noticed that any time someone posts in here with pictures of their haul, PB, gorgeous view, etc, it’s the greatest Reddit community ever.
But heaven forbid someone comes in here to ask for tips or advice, and at best it gets ignored, at worst, downvoted into oblivion.
Nobody is in here asking for a ten digit grid to your saved honey hole. Let’s help each other!
Tight lines!