The Why's And How's Of Catch And Release Fly Fishing
To Release or not release, that is the question. Over the years, as I share with people my passion for fly fishing, the conversation always seems to come back to the question, "do you eat your catch?" Now, I have no problem eating fish.
Here is an update for 2008-2009 for the Eastern Sierras. The New Zealand Mudsnails are definitely in California. Here are couple signs that I noticed the California Department of Fish and Game had posted from a recent fly fishing trip. If you happen to be fly fishing here, please take care. Avoid wading if possible. Have separate fly fishing gear for infected waters if possible. Inspect your wading gear after use and clean with a stiff brush. It is also recommended that you freeze your wading gear to kill accidental contamination.
Per The posted signs, one snail can lead to 40 million snails in one year. These suckers are so prolific that they can quickly have densities of 1 million per square yard. These nasty things outcompete and subsequently replace native invertebrates that support trout life. Please take care.
Fly fisherman have always been at the forefront of conservation and environmental issues. It's important to know that there are very real threats to our fly fishing waters out there. Fly fishing has been steadily gaining popularity as anglers discover the rewards that the challenge from our beloved sport brings, as well as the spectacular solitude. More and more fly fishermen are traveling the globe looking for that perfect trout or steelhead.
