Keep Fish Wet has launched the second annual “No Fish Dry July” an initiative to help anglers create better outcomes for each fish they release. For the month of July, Keep Fish Wet and Ten And Two Co. challenge anglers to commit to not taking a single photo of a fish. All month long Keep Fish Wet will be sharing inspiration for fish-less photography and the science behind what happens to fish as water temperatures rise.
From Keep Fish Wet:
With many places across North America experiencing extreme drought and higher than average water temperatures, the way we handle fish during the hottest time of year is crucial to their well-being. As water temperatures rise, fish become physiologically stressed, increasing the time it takes for them to recover from capture and handling, and increasing the chance of mortality once released.
Instead, we encourage anglers to post other artful shots of their summer angling experience. This simple shift in the fishing community’s catch-and-release behavior could do years of good for your fish’s home water. After all, fishing is rarely just about catching fish.
Follow along on social media as well as at keepfishwet.org to learn about how fish respond when the water gets warm, how you can tell if fish are stressed, and to see some beautiful fish-less photography.
Enter the giveaway to be eligible to win an awesome prize package from Waterworks Lamson, Patagonia, Bajio Sunglasses, Fulling Mill, Cheeky, Scientific Anglers, Fly Fishing Climate Alliance, and Ten And Two Co.
1 Comment
This has gotten a bit silly. First was catch and release (which was originally more about the next angler having an opportunity, and less about the poor fish). Next, let’s all fish barbless! Now, don’t even take a picture of it. What’s next, hookless flies? I’m sure somewhere there’s a virtue signaling hipster fly fisherman in a pair of Chacos who thinks this is a great idea, and will soon have a small business selling flies that don’t catch fish, and it’ll be mentioned on Angling Trade.
Here’s a thought. Maybe for go the 5 fly euro rig and you won’t worry so much about all the fish you may have harmed. Try something that floats, and is not a bobber. Or better yet, maybe if you’re so worried about the water temps, maybe you don’t fish that piece of water. Go north, or higher up, or fish for bass, or go for a hike, or a bike ride. There’s lots to do other than fish with a nagging sense of guilt crawling up your spine.
Let us not forget we are hooking these things in the face, dragging them around, and delighting in their panicked attempt to free themselves; all for our entertainment. Im ok with that. But I think the chance for benevolence, no matter how false, has passed.