Hello All-

Much to comment on from some of the recent posts, but time permits response to only one I was asked directly, as we are into our nighttime forage fish surveys.

Salmonids (e.g. landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, and lake trout) are physostomous fish, meaning they can release air directly from the swim bladder through the esophagus by means of a pneumatic duct – thus they do not suffer from bloating, the “bends”, or other maladies often associated with vertical movement through the water column. In fact, this physiological design allows them to make rapid up and down movements through the water column, and is essential to being an efficient open-water predator – it allows them to take advantage of a wide variety of forage options throughout the water column.

I am sure many of you have observed, even in August and September, pods of salmon and rainbows corralling age-0 smelt to the surface, where they slash through the cornered prey – even though the water is well above 70 degrees F. Since the thermocline/cooler water is a mere few caudal (tail) fin flicks away for these powerful swimmers, and they are able to rise and descend rapidly with no ill effects, this is a very efficient foraging strategy – one made possible by their physiological design.

Another case in point/example, when “jigging” for lake trout, lakers can be observed ascending 20, 30, 40, 60 feet or more, in a matter of seconds, before they decide to whack the jig or turn away at the last moment. Those that hit, as played, release air/gas, which is clearly seen rising to the surface as bubbles around the boat. Those that turn away and don’t decide to hit, can be watched on the graph, heading right back down to 60-100 feet, and level out. Ditto for released fish – it is amazing to watch them cover so much water in such a short time. Again, nature has blessed them with the tools to get the job done in their specific environment.

Contrast this with physoclistous fish, such as smallmouth bass and other similar species such as other sunfish and perch (first dorsal fin being spiny-rayed is a good indication), which cannot make such rapid movements through the water column and can suffer deleterious effects when rapidly taken from deep water. They do not have a means of immediately evacuating air from their bladders, and as such, the bladder will tend to distend.

DO NOT attempt to “pop” or “fizz” salmonids, they simply do not need it, and I can assure you the extra handling of the fish will be the only injurious event. Simply hold them upright in the water and let them swim away when ready (this is another great reason for owning a rubber net). In the rare event a laker taken from extremely deep water (100+) has trouble descending, gently press on the belly, which will evacuate the air, with a “burping” sound. Take care of released fish, as this is the future!

Tight lines and see you on the water.

John A. Viar
Fisheries Biologist I
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Region 2 Office
PO Box 417
New Hampton NH 03256
(603) 744-5470
jviar@nhfgd.org

John - would you care to comment in a day or two about our dicussion on using single hooks vs. small trebles on trolling lures? Also, do you have recommendations on handling, or not handling, salmonids to be released? I (and many others I'm sure) have on occasion struggled to minimize handling of these fragile salmonids. Last summer at Moosehead (after I unintentionally botched releases on couple small salmon), a guide taught me his technique for releasing smaller fish (i.e., fish obviously well below the weight of the test strength of your line). His approach was to lift the fish straight up out of the water and just over the edge of the boat and using a pistol-grip type hook removal tool, grab the base of the treble hook and with a flick of the wrist drop the fish straight back in the water without netting or handling the fish at all. This way no damage to the protective slime, no net tangles etc. For me, unless I'm going to keep the fish for eating, I just do this now and I've had (knock on wood) very successful releases ever since. Before, no matter how hard I'd try, it just seemed like I could not be gentle enough if I boated a salmonid before release.

I also use a "no touch" technique to release small salmon/trout. I might suggest a smaller tool than the pistol-grip hook release tool. A pair of surgical hemostats (lots of tackle stores carry them) works perfectly on the smaller hooks on most of the lures we use for these fish. Just grasp the hook on the shank or at the bend of the hook, rotate your hand and give a gentle shake. The hook will pop right out and the fish will be released without being handled. Give it a try.

I dont even let the net out of the water anymore. I unhook them while in the rubber net, Rarely touching them at all. They all take right off.

Thanks again John for your informative reply....we all appreciate your efforts!

sorry, this has to be brief - DO NOT shake them off the hook with the fish hanging over the water in any vertical/semi-vertical position, this is one of the best ways to create MAJOR hook wounds, which we have found greatly reduces growth and body condition/the chance of this fish becoming a "quality" fish in the future - particularly with the age 1 and 2 salmon -"Proline" has it right on the money, holding them in the rubber net (no tangling, no loss of slime coat or scales, keeps the fish more calm) while gently removing the hook is the best way to go

Thanks for your prompt reply. I certainly didn't mean to suggest suspending the fish for release. I usually try to lean over and not remove the fish from the water and not handle unless absolutely necessary. Obviously my goal is 100% survival for the fish I release and I will modify my technique to match your suggestions. Thanks again for your contribution to the board.

Thanks for answering my question, when are you coming out with me on Squam. The invites allways there, just give me a date and I'll make sure I'm avaialble.

Sqaum seems to be picking up, just as you said it should.

Leaving now, Friday 2:00, for the weekend (a day late) but I'll send a report Monday, hoping it's a good one. Fishing pretty much alone so I hope I don't Donkey the netting, which is sometimes a problem on my boat when alone.. Popeye may join me Sunday, if his wife let's him, LOL. (I'll hear it on that comment)

John S.

Thanks again,

John S.