IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS ANGLERS TO CARE FOR OUR WATERWAYS & GIVE FISH THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE AT SURVIVAL AFTER RELEASE
BEST PRACTICE PRINCIPLES
1. Eliminate dry & abrasive surface contact
​​Dry & abrasive surfaces such and dirt, sand & even your dry hands can remove the protective slime that trout are covered in. When this happens, it leaves a thinner area or exposed area on the trouts skin which is then prone to disease and infection from various bacterias in waterways.​​
2. Minimise air exposure​
Exposing trout the air for long periods effectively suffocates them. If your trout is struggling to recover after a catch, it's probably been out too long. In this case it is best hold & support the trout under clear water moving it back & forth gently until the trout regains its strength, removing it from your net & letting it swim away.
3. Minimise handling time
​​​​Excessive handling can also remove the protective slime. Make sure your hands are clean when you're fishing, washing off any boat grease, dirt or other foreign material.
HOOK UP & NETTING
​When you get a hook up, fight the trout firm & fast. Get the trout into your net & into clear water as quickly as possible so it can calm down, before trying to remove the hook. The more time the trout spends fighting on the end of your line increases injury & reduces the chance of recovery.
PROTECTIVE SLIME
​Trout are covered in a protective layer slime to prevent disease & infection. Excessive handling will remove part of this layer & will harm the trout. Taking photos of a trout lying in the dirt or sand removes their protective slime & risks serious injury to the trout's eyes, gills, fins & tail, especially when they start flopping around.
HOOK REMOVAL
​When using bait, assist or treble hooks squash the barbs down with pliers, this makes hook removal easier, using single or barbless hooks is also a good option. Trebles will damage small fish when they start thrashing around. When a trout swallows a hook & it's not visible, cut the line off as close as possible, plated & chemically sharpened hooks will rust out in time with the help of the trout's stomach acid. Avoid using stainless steel hooks, these do not rust out & can stay in the fish for years if they survive.
THE DO'S
​​Use trout friendly gear such as rubber nets when handling trout.​
Squash barbs down on your hooks or use barbless hooks.
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Use single or dual assist hooks wherever possible, trebles can damage the mouth & head.
Make sure your hand are wet when handling trout.
Keep trout in the water while removing hooks, lifting & supporting the head.
THE NEVER'S
​NEVER SQUEEZE TROUT, THEIR HEART IS IN YOUR HANDS!
A trout's heart is located between their pectoral fins, never squeeze here.​​
NEVER DRAG TROUT OUT OF THE WATER ONTO THE DIRT WITH YOUR ROD.
This will remove their protective slime, cause injury & infection.​​
NEVER HOLD THEM UP BY THE LINE, HOOK OR GILLS.
This causes injury to their spine, mouth & gills.​​
NEVER TRY TO PULL OUT A COMPLETELY SWALLOWED HOOK OUT.
This will damage the trout's stomach & possibly damage their air bladder. If you can't see the hook to remove it, cut your line as close as possible.