2012 Klamath River summary

[sportsmanlio]

Well, the season's closed for the summer, but I managed to land 65 fish in 13 short trips down there before it closed this year. Just wanted to put a few of my top fish from this year up. Granted, these look small next to most of the one's fishfry gets, but they still put up a good fight.

Only kept one of them...the 3.25 pounder where I'm wearing the blue shirt. Let the big guy (22" & 3 lbs 14 oz) go.

 

[sportsmanlio]

Here are a few more...

Here are a few more...

More trout. Also, a Klamath River Lamprey that was attached to one of the bigger ones I caught. Sadly, when I was fishing alone (50% of the time), I didn't always get pics, so a lot of big guys swam free without being captured on film...good year regardless!

 

[Spydeyrch]

Dude!! Nice job there. Great way to look back on the success that you have had. :clap: Some of those were real chunks!!! :dance:

One quick question for you, mainly out of curiosity, why are you pulling the fish's lower jaw down in some of the pictures? :think: I know that it pretty typical for fish like bass, but I never really understood why some do it to trout? Their lower jaw is so much more smaller than a bass'.

Just curious. :think:

Again, nice job with the fish. I am going to have to get down there one of these seasons and fish that water. It looks great!!

-Spydey

 

[sportsmanlio]

Thanks! As for the jaw, I'm a big catch-and-release guy. I only kept 1/65 fish I got down there this year, though I love the meat. It's all about conservation for me, and if more people released the big ones down there, we wouldn't have to worry about so many little 1-2 pounders.

So here goes: you've probably read that it is harmful for a fish to hold it vertically, no? Well, this is true. It strains the internal organs, and the bigger the fish is, the more damage it can do. So, holding them horizontally is the best choice. The reason I hold the jaw tightly, is because that helps me get a good grip on the fish without putting pressure on any organs, gills, etc. Most of the river has rocky shorelines, so if the fish flops out of your hands, they often fall on rocks. I've seen quite a few fish die unnecessarily this way. So, even though the fish over about 14" have some teeth on them, I'd rather cut my hands a bit than kill a fish.

So yeah...not about making the fish look bigger, just about keeping it alive until I can release it

 

[Spydeyrch]

Thanks! As for the jaw, I'm a big catch-and-release guy. I only kept 1/65 fish I got down there this year, though I love the meat. It's all about conservation for me, and if more people released the big ones down there, we wouldn't have to worry about so many little 1-2 pounders.

So here goes: you've probably read that it is harmful for a fish to hold it vertically, no? Well, this is true. It strains the internal organs, and the bigger the fish is, the more damage it can do. So, holding them horizontally is the best choice. The reason I hold the jaw tightly, is because that helps me get a good grip on the fish without putting pressure on any organs, gills, etc. Most of the river has rocky shorelines, so if the fish flops out of your hands, they often fall on rocks. I've seen quite a few fish die unnecessarily this way. So, even though the fish over about 14" have some teeth on them, I'd rather cut my hands a bit than kill a fish.

So yeah...not about making the fish look bigger, just about keeping it alive until I can release it

Nice!! Thanks for the explanation!! I knew that once the fish is out of the water, it puts unneeded strain on their organs and such. But I had never thought about the whole vertical vs. horizontal aspect of it. :think: Very interesting.

Glad to see that you do it for conservation and are thinking about the fish. :clap:

Great job again on those catchs. Mighty purdy fish ya got thar!! :dance:



-Spydey

 

[cowboysfan]

rep points coming at you for the care of the fish, that was a very interesting explanation that i will indeed use. great photos and nice fish. Where at on the river are you,I dont need an exact location just general if it is not asking to much ?

 

[sportsmanlio]

Thanks cowboysfan. I usually fish within about 1.5 miles of the power line either up or downstream. If you're a flyfisherman, downstream is better (especially from a boat). Upstream is better for spinfisherman. Just keep in mind it is closed until October 1st.

 

[steel Head]

great fish porn