[sundrop]

Terrible shame, and with these repeatedly cold nights Im sure many many more are laying on the bottom in deep holes where they have struggled for weeks to live... I personally vow Self regulation = preservation. I will release most of my catch over the next 2 yrs regardless of the creel limits and size. A photo will have to do.

 

[sundrop]

I'm sure that a hard fought fish, dumped back into the water, especially hot summer water risks fatality. Just common sense as not all of us can run a marathon w/o passing out or having a stroke. Its also proven just touching a fish can be hazardous to them just like us touching the doorknob on a public restroom. We all have to find "reasonable" practices that support the fisheries just as we do any other consumable and/or living thing. Nothing is perfect, even nature demands a balance left untouched by man.. There are NO perfect answers, but we dont need to let that keep us from trying to find a reasonable middle ground. In extreme circumstances, extreme measures are needed. We have to maintain the flexibility to accept and understand the circumstances at the time.
Much as I am the same with Crappie. Yes they taste great and you can go out and catch 100 of them on many occasions. But for many years long before anyone heard the term "over 10" or back again" I have tossed back 10,11, even 12" fish because I want there to always be crappie to catch and enjoy. I like to think that those who follow this practice help offset those who drop any living thing they can squeeze a bite off of to eat into their bucket for no reason other than greed.. I have ended long friendships over the discussions that ensued when they revealed to me that they had freezers full of ruined fish due to their greed, lack of making good use of the catch or malfunction of the freezer. If you arent gonna eat it or make sure someone gets it who will and that fish has a good chance of surviving released why in the name of creation would anyone not take a picture if they want it and let the thing go?? It's as big of a crime to me as an unattended gillnet, trotline, limbline or jugs not watched carefully and harvested properly.
Strayed off topic a bit I suppose but if bans are what we "need" then I'm fine with that, I just want reasonable, educated decisions. We had what seemed to be a massive population of undersized trout this past year. Perhaps so many that this will only strengthen the species by making sure forage is sufficient for the strong who survived. I dont know the numbers and anyone who claims to is making judgements based on small studies. But common sense tells me this is BAD and the best thing to do is act now and make the necessary adjustment "believed" to be benificial and if you are going to risk an error in judgement err to the "good" which to me means keeping less fish for now...My opinion is without scientific merit, and based simply on what I consider MY common sense. Both your opinions and you senses may vary.