Why Colorado Needs More Catch-and-Release

By David Nickum

 "Game fish are too valuable to be caught only once." - Lee Wulff

  

            Ask any Colorado Trout Unlimited member what trout conservation means to them, about what they feel truly passionate, and you'll get a wide range of answers. Some may talk about abandoned mines leaching poisons into our streams. Others may talk about dams and diversions that dry up our rivers. But virtually every one will bring up catch and release. Why is this such a seminal issue for TUers?

            The obvious answer is that our wild trout populations cannot sustain themselves - certainly not at the same level of quality - if too many anglers harvest too many fish. Every fish that gets taken out of a stream is one less fish that is left for others to catch, one less fish that gets to grow another year towards 'trophy' size, one less fish that has the chance to spawn again and further contribute to the fishery's future. At a most basic level, the reasons for catch and release are very intuitive and very simple.

            When I speak of catch-and-release, I am including any special regulations that require anglers to return fish to the water, whether they be complete catch-and-release, minimum size limits, slot limits, or other special regulations designed to protect and enhance a fishery. Out of this broad tool box, different special regulations will be most appropriate for different waters. The choice of regulation will depend on site-specific biological conditions. But in general, why does Colorado need more such "catch-and-release" regulations?  

·        Fishing pressure. Without protective regulations, heavy fishing pressure could drive wild trout populations to collapse. For example, biologist Barry Nehring estimates that the average fish in the Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area on the Colorado River has been caught and released 10 times per year, while Rainbows averaged more than 40 times. With that kind of pressure, the fishery would be eliminated completely if the fish were not being "recycled" through catch-and-release.

·        Quality fishing. The Division of Wildlife reports that studies on Colorado's Gold Medal trout waters revealed that anglers were catching and releasing 50 to 100 times as many "quality size" trout (14 inches or more) in the special regulations sections as they were in adjacent sections that were not under restrictive regulations.

·        Budgets are tight, and wild trout cost less. The Division of Wildlife is currently facing a significant budget crunch, and more than ever must look for ways to operate efficiently. Producing and stocking catchable trout is an expensive proposition. Where nature can support wild trout populations - if we protect them from overharvest - it makes good sense to manage with wild trout, thereby allowing limited hatchery resources to be used for stocking fish in those waters that cannot support wild trout. Managing for wild trout means that harvest must be kept to sustainable levels, where necessary through the use of catch-and-release regulations.

·        There is strong public demand for catch-and-release waters, reflected by extremely high levels of use on special management waters. Division of Wildlife data shows that among coldwater habitats, "special use" waters generate the most recreation on a per-acre basis - supporting over 57 recreation-days per acre. By comparison, "intensive use" waters (those managed with catchable trout) support just under 45 recreation-days per acre.

·        Special regulation waters are still very limited. The Division of Wildlife reports that approximately 16% of stream fisheries are under some sort of special regulations. Much of this is native cutthroat recovery water; the portion under special regulations to promote quality wild trout fishing is considerably smaller.

·        Catch-and-release fisheries benefit local economies. For example, in Colorado, the Basalt Chamber of Commerce (in 1986) estimated that spending in the town directly attributable to the Fryingpan River fishery was between $1.2 and $1.6 million. Total economic benefits were between $3.6 and $4.8 million. And this represents only one year for one town and one fishery.

·        Anglers support tighter regulations. Colorado State University survey data from 1997 found that over 73% of anglers supported a reduction in limits for trout if necessary to protect trout populations.  

            Yet, with all the reasons for more catch-and-release regulations, there are still many who want to reduce the number of special regulation waters. Their arguments are generally populist in their tone - with supporters suggesting that anglers should be able to fish wherever they want with whatever they want, and be able to take at least some fish home.

            Opposition to catch-and-release waters emerges primarily because special regulation waters are also "fly and lure only" waters. Contrary to the implications of those who oppose these regulations, this is not because of any "anti-bait" perception among spin and fly fishers who use special regulation waters. Rather it is because of biological reality. Years of research make it very clear: mortality among released fish is substantially higher when using bait than when using artificial flies and lures. Allowing bait in catch-and-release waters undercuts the very reason the special regulations are used in the first place, to protect the fish population. On the other hand, in waters where harvest is the goal (such as lakes stocked with catchable trout), using bait is a completely appropriate method of fishing.

            But politics often trumps biology - witness the many years during which the Division of Wildlife broadly stocked fish infected with whirling disease, adding momentum to an epidemic that has now done incalculable damage to Colorado's trout fisheries. Maintaining and expanding catch-and-release regulations will require broad political support from anglers.

Some basic tips:

·        Land your fish quickly - don't play it to exhaustion - so as to minimize stress on the fish. Use a landing net to help speed the process, especially with larger trout.

·        When using a landing net, consider a "catch-and-release" net made with special mesh that helps minimize potential injury to the fish. Check with your local fly shop.

·        Keep the fish in the water as much as possible when handling and removing the hook. If you want a photo, take it quickly and then return the fish to the water.

·        Make sure your hands are wet before handling the fish, so that you do not remove the fish's protective slime coat.

·        Remove the hook gently - don't squeeze the fish.

·        If a fish is deeply hooked, cut the line instead of trying to pull the hook out. Struggling to remove a hook that has been 'swallowed' will do the fish more harm than good.

·        If necessary, help resuscitate the fish by gently holding it (facing upstream) and moving it slowly back and forth, allowing water to run through its gills. Then release the fish into quiet water, to give it time to regain its equilibrium.

·        Use barbless hooks. If that's not possible, be sure to crimp down the barb with your hemostat.  

            A wild trout is a beautiful stream-borne gem, and catching one is a great thrill. Seeing that fish swim out of your hands and back into the stream only makes the experience that much better - and gives you the knowledge that you are giving something back.

 

David Nickum is the Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. This article was originally published in a previous issue of Streamside newsletter. Reprinted with permission.