Fish welfare

This is a topic that is close to my heart and I think it is the most important aspect of our sport. Watching your quarry swim away none the worse for wear is a beautiful thing to behold, and some of these fish that we are lucky enough to catch could be over 20 years old. unhooking mats and landing nets of adequate size, forceps, disgorgers, and fish-care treatments are just some of the items that should be the first things that you pack. Resting fish is also very important – hence the need for a big enough net to let them rest. I think of it as though I have just run a hard race, where you need the recovery time as soon as you finish. So for any fish that has given a good fight, give it a few minutes resting in the net, and this also gives you time to sort out your scales and camera so everything is ready when you lift it out.