O’fieldstream Outdoor Journal

I was reading a recent blog entry by one of my esteemed colleages in the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Bill Monroe.

Bill is the featured Outdoor columnist for The Oregonian newspaper in Portland, OR. He also writes a blog called, “The Birdsnest: Bill Monroe Untangles the Outdoors“. (RSS)

It seems one of Bill’s readers took exception with this photo he’d posted a while back in his blog (shown again in this most recent posting) of a fisherman releasing a wild coho back into the offshore waters.

The photo clearly shows the fisherman had grasped the coho in a common tail hold; at the (caudal peduncle).

The caudal peduncle is the scientific name for the section of a fishes’ anatomy[1] between the adipose (salmonids) or dorsal (most other game fish) fins and the tail .

This is a worthy of concern. It is true that a fish can be permanently - even fatally - injured, while holding them incorrectly, or carelessly, by their caudal peduncle; tail. However, a few simple preventative measures will greatly reduce - even eliminate - the likely-hood of any damage to the fish with a common, tail hold.

Let’s let the fishes’ anatomical and physiological facts shed a bit of light on the subject of proper fish handling when releasing a fish back into its home waters

 

 

DAMAGE CAN RESULT, “IF…”

1. The fish is a large fish (>25 lbs) and mishandled

2. The fish is allowed to ‘hang’ -suspend- VERTICAL !! …for a lengthy period of time (>5 minutes). But, if allowed to hang this long, the fish will already be dead due to asphyxiation!! Thus, spinal damage would be the least of its worries. [NOTE: NEVER hold a large fish VERTICAL; internal damage to organs is inevitable!!]

3. The fish’s peduncle is levered (bent) by more than 20 degrees [2], dorsal to ventral (top to bottom). Bending (moving) in the top-to-bottom direction, puts an unnatural amount of stress on the spine and soft tissue in the upper sections of the caudal peduncle. Injury is likely.

4. The fish is allowed to ‘thrash’ while ONLY holding the caudal peduncle, too tightly… or mishandling by holding with only ‘one hand’.

PREVENT or ELIMINATE DAMAGE

The BEST WAY to contain ANY large fish, greater than 20#, is to carefully hold the fish, using slight pressure, around the caudal peduncle, by one hand and CRADLED in the other hand and forearm. The fish should be slightly rotated - TOWARD the fisherman’s body - in a HORIZONTAL position. The rotation allows the weight of the fish to be distributed along the stronger, lateral muscle tissue. As well, with pressure against these muscles the fish senses a familiar ‘resistance’ and doesn’t attempt - nearly as much - to escape by flopping. [3]

Do NOT allow the weight of a large fish to rest solely in your cupped hand. This puts too much upward pressure on internal organs and gills. Use both the hand and forearm to support the fishes’ weight; for a more equal distribution. This photo also demonstrates the reason why it is a poster-child for improper holding. The photo was a ‘hotdog’… a show-off, brag photo. And done at the expense of a good fish. This is not smart on any level. [4]

On smaller fish of 1#-20# [12″-30″] size range, gently grasp the caudal peduncle and use a cupped hand at the fishes’ throat (posterior [rear] of operculum (gill plate) and anterior (front) of pectoral fin]. This will provide sufficient support without causing damage. One however, shoud not make the mistake in thinking that just because it’s a smaller fish there is no need to be careful. If you wish to release a live fish that will remain alive - practice good sensible - minimal handling - practices. [5]

The position of the hand on the caudal peduncle is important. Either left or right hand could be used, but the position is IMPORTANT.

PROPER HAND POSITION on Caudal Peduncle

In either case, the THUMB goes OVER the dorsal (TOP) side (fishes’ back); over the spine; with the BACK-of-the-HAND facing OUT - away from the fisherman’s body and the fish. When containing the fish in this manner, you will naturally LIFT, from the (ventral) bottom side of the fish. The tissue on the bottom-side (ventral) is much more flexible and less likely to be damaged when being held carefully. [6]

The HORIZONTAL position provides protection for the:

• caudal peduncle
• internal organs
• eyes
• overall physiological health of the fish

A fish, contained in this manner, is very unlikely to receive damage to their spine or the soft tissue of the caudal peduncle. Always remember that no matter how careful the hold:

A fish should NOT be contained OUT of its water environment any longer than you can HOLD YOUR BREATH. Remember, when you run out of air, the fish will likely be in the same fix.

These points should prove helpful in eliminating this problematic area of fish release survival, for old-hats and newbies alike. Safe and smart fishing is good for both fisherman and fish… so let’s practice and promote it each time we’re on the waters.

O’fieldstream
“The real world is Outdoors. Go to it!”

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Reference information:

[1] Fish Anatomy (Wikipedia Online Dictionary)

[2] Illustration: using a common outdoor tool (Leatherman tool) as a good approximate gauge for an angle of 20 degrees. (Courtesy of: Brofrog Grafx)

[3] Example: large fish (salmonid) being held properly; caudal peduncal and ‘throat support’. (Courtesy of: Brofrog Grafx)

[4] Example: large fish held very well in the caudal peduncle position, but poorly in the ‘throad support’. Hot-dogging for the camera does not go well for healthy release of fish. (Courtesy of: Brofrog Grafx)

[5] Example: smaller fish (salmonid) being held properly; caudal peduncle and ‘throat support’. (Courtesy of: Brofrog Grafx)

[6] Example: PROPER HAND position in holding the caudal peduncle.(Courtesy of: Brofrog Grafx)

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