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The Nova Scotia Salmon Association fully supports and heartily endorses the concept of catch & release fishing for salmon, trout & other species. We encourage anglers to release all salmon, including grilse - even where they may be legally kept - in order to help rebuild the stocks. It is a well documented fact that fish that are properly played, handled and released will survive nicely and go on to fulfill their reproductive destiny. In the words of Lee Wulff "Salmon are too valuable to be caught only once."
The key is to do it right.
 Play the fish until it is tired but not exhausted. The general rule of thumb is no more than a minute per pound of fighting fish.
 Try to avoided using a landing net whenever possible. As smoothly as possible, bring the fish in close and grasp it snugly by the tail. Don't overdo it - you can harm the fish if you squeeze to tight. Using a soft landing glove makes tailing a salmon a bit easier for you and the fish. NEVER EVER beach the fish or drag it up on the rocks. The fish can injure itself if it starts to thrash on the ground.
 Gently, remove the fly with fingers or forceps. If the fish is deeply hooked, clip the leader and sacrifice the fly rather than the fish. Try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Avoid taking it out of the water at all if you can. Contrary to what most TV fishing shows would have you believe, a tired fish does not enjoy being held up into an atmosphere in which it can't breath while it's beauty, fighting qualities and preference in tackle is discussed at great length. Keep the fish in the water!
 If you want to take a picture, set it up first - then lift the fish out of the water briefly for the shot and then put it back. If you prefer, leave the fish in the water for the picture. Remember that your first responsibility is to the well being of the fish if your intention is to release it alive.
 Often a tired fish will need some time to revive before you release it. Hold the fish upright and allow the fish some time to catch its breath and recover from the fight Turn the fish into the current so that water flows over its gills. In slow moving water, move it backward and forward in the water, so that water flows through the gills. When the fish starts to kick hard with its tail and seems to have regained its strength, let it go. If everything is done properly, your fish will live to fight another day. And most importantly, it will live to spawn. For more information on the benefits and methods of live-releasing your fish visit the ASF Catch and Release website at www.asf.ca/release/ We also invite you to download the following PDF document on ASF's Catch & Release Club:
Copyright © ASF
Take Home the Memories - Not the Fish
Support Catch & Release!
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