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Hi NB,

I agree! You have a solid point about photography a fish and that would potential decrease the chance of survival, compare to NOT shooting photos at all.

But how about compare to mounting a fish on the wall? or compare to bring the fish back to show your buddies?

It's all relatives right?! Let me explain my reason to encourage people "Proper Handle the Fish and Shooting Photos"

There is some facts and some points I am going to illustrate here

First, Proper handle a fish is needed. Many people fish many years but still don't know what is good for a fish? They claim they release the fish quickly. But the problem is they use too light tippet, they fight the fish too long and the fish is almost stress dead when it was landed. For education purpose, I do think photo and videos are needed to teach people how to handle a fish. AEG media create a series of good videos and I believe this has make a big splash on the FF community. How they handle a big fish is also very impressive to me.

Second, "Trophy" is the definition under your rule. Some people like to mount trophy, some people like to take photos. I have no opinion against mounting a fish, just follow the rule. I like native fish, any native fish is trophy to me. I took a lot of picture of my trophy, under a proper handling. But what is a proper handling? I use heavy tippet, bring them in quickly, use rubber net, and when I prepare my camera they are always in the water... Is this necessary to stress the fish?? YES. It's trophy to me. I see the important value of this fish and I want photos. The same to the people that see their catch is the most important thing in their life and if they decided to mount them, power to them. Everyone has it's own rule in defining a trophy and defining a importance of a fish. I think put our justice or rule to other people is just not "political correct"... ha

Third, I respect to people that don't take any photos... but it doesn't mean there are better fisherman than people who take photos... like what I said, It is the awareness of the sport and the awareness the environment is more important than "what style you are in".
I have attended many summer camps for sharing my nature experience with kids and high school students. The most powerful tool to make them aware of environmental issue is photos, based on my experience. "One photo worth thousands words" as it stay very true in the beautiful slides, or ugly polluted scenery as well.

Finally, I think people have different opinions about proper handle a fish or kill a fish, which is good. Because this could ultimately provide good information to biologist to make a good fishing rule. It definitely worth a length discussion. The point I want to make is as soon as we follow the fishing rule we are good to go. Photo doesn't stand good or bad... the people behind the camera stand good or bad.

yuhina wrote:

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Second, "Trophy" is the definition under your rule. Some people like to mount trophy, some people like to take photos. I have no opinion against mounting a fish, just follow the rule. I like native fish, any native fish is trophy to me. I took a lot of picture of my trophy, under a proper handling. But what is a proper handling? I use heavy tippet, bring them in quickly, use rubber net, and when I prepare my camera they are always in the water... Is this necessary to stress the fish?? YES. It's trophy to me. I see the important value of this fish and I want photos. The same to the people that see their catch is the most important thing in their life and if they decided to mount them, power to them. Everyone has it's own rule in defining a trophy and defining a importance of a fish. I think put our justice or rule to other people is just not "political correct"... ha

Please reread my second point, NB.

YES, less time, less stress, all thing being equal like you said. so ultimately, people use barbless hook and heavy tippet will put a less stress to the fish than people use light tippet and fight fish longer. All thing being equal right?! So why not just use fly without hook? The fish takes count. You laugh, It would be silly right? But I know some people do exercise "take philosophy". It's rare but there is some thoughts out there.

The point I want to illustrate is how difficult to define"angling experience". Everyone has different view of "angling experience". To me. I won't go out fishing as much if I don't have camera with me. Without photography, my angling experience won't complete. Do I do anything wrong? No. I follow the rule and enjoy my fishing. I also exercise my own proper handling, and I don't want people judge me "hey you can have less stress if you don't take photo". If he is right, the I will give them a response "Hey you can put a less stress to the fish if you use a fly without a hook".

The same to people like to catch and kill fish to complete their angling experience. And we need to respect that too. We need to respect every one to have their own fun. One of the reason I think you did not get my point is "everything being equal". Unfortunately, there is no such thing exist. Your angling experience is never be the same with other people. So we can not put our judgment to other people. Really the message I want to get out is very simple "I respect your decision that not taking any photos, but please respect my decision taking photos"

discussion is welcome...

Alan, great points.I agree. Mid-Provo is so special to me, (even I know some people trash it as combat fishing ground) every year I visit there, it almost like a worship ceremony journey to the holy land. I wish this overpopulated trout river maintain their shape for years to come. Then I can teach my kids to catch trout in the spot that I landed my first. : )

NB, Thanks for the reply. It has been a great discussion that I feel I learn a lot from different point of views. Well, it seems a bit chaos at the beginning, that I have to admit that I have biased opinions toward the positive side, this might due to the previous positive experience from some nice websites. You definitely raised some serious issues and concerns that are happening in our current internet environment. It's all boiled down to the same core element that we want this fishing resource sustainable, ethical and satisfying every kind of fisherman. Hannah Belford, the moderator of the FFG actually emailed me yesterday and said she totally agree with you and you raised some great points. I agree and respect the concerns that have potential negative broad casting effects on the internet.
There is one old saying… a good fisherman do the extra than require and take the minimum than limit. I think this sum up that even under a proper fishing rule, there is still a big room for fisherman to exercise their angling, and even between every outing within each angler. Good discussion!