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Fly fishing: Question about keeping trout
Sep 14, 2021 19:13:46   #
FS Digest
 
We have done bass and bluegill with our fly rods but wanted to get the trout experience. The rivers we will be fishing allow trout to be harvest. Most people treat trout like they are very precious and from what I have seen very few fly fisherman eat them. I was just wondering why that is or what other people have to say on the matter.

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by Caldswords

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Sep 14, 2021 19:39:49   #
Slimshady Loc: Central Pennsylvania
 
Trout are very tasty fish and lots of fishermen and women eat them. Here in Pa it’s mostly put and take. There are few native trout left in the state Most are stocked by the fish commission and are quickly caught and taken home to be cooked. It’s a matter of personal preference whether or not you keep some

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Sep 14, 2021 20:52:59   #
flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!
 
FS Digest wrote:
We have done bass and bluegill with our fly rods but wanted to get the trout experience. The rivers we will be fishing allow trout to be harvest. Most people treat trout like they are very precious and from what I have seen very few fly fisherman eat them. I was just wondering why that is or what other people have to say on the matter.

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by Caldswords

Well,,,,,,,,,,, I have fly fished trout for over 70 years, I haven't done much of it the last couple of years, because my balance is getting isn't what it used to be. In my prime, I would catch 1200 - 1500 trout a year. My buddy's goal would be 2000 trout a year, he is a better fly fisherman than I. Here in SE MN., most of the trout are wild, a few pails full of stockers might be tossed in after the end of the season, in a few of the streams, not many. If we kept the fish that we caught there wouldn't be any left for you to catch. Pretty simple, why we don't keep them.

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Sep 15, 2021 14:42:38   #
woodNfish Loc: Laconia, New Hampshire
 
Enjoy your fishing and take some home to eat. If others don't do it - well, more for you!

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Sep 15, 2021 14:45:25   #
agatemaggot Loc: iowa
 
If you put them back where you caught them the chanches they will still be there the next time you hit the stream are pretty good , it's called a milk route !

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Sep 15, 2021 15:22:25   #
Whitereb Loc: Lake Guntersville Alabama
 
Personally I would keep a few I like to stuff the belly with herbs head on and bake em I wouldn’t try and keep all. I don’t keep all of any species I catch but I keep enough to eat. Seeing I catch them regularly no need to try and fill my freezer on a single trip.

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Sep 15, 2021 16:54:24   #
Captain Lahti Loc: Kennewick, WA
 
Been fly fishing almost as long as ‘fly guy’ just not as successfully. But it’s a general truth that us flyfishers just like the challenge of fooling trout and other fish with a bunch of feathers artfully tied onto a hook rather than natural bait. And to that end are not as in to filling a freezer or smoker with tout. But that’s a generalization. I keep some of the trout I take fly fishing but they are stockers and intended to be caught and kept. There are also bodies of water where trout are protected from large if any catch limits. That could be to create a trophy fishing experience or just as likely to maintain a healthy wild population. Some streams just aren’t that fertile and what trout are present just can’t stand a vigorous catch and keep fishery. All in all, catch and release or catch and keep are neither wrong or superior. It’s often just a personal choice as long as it fits the management goals of the local game department. I Fish a small stream where some sections are fly fishing only, other sections are selective fishing with no bait allowed and a limit of two fish a day. Within a couple hundred yards there are ponds and lakes where the trout are planted specifically for catch and keep with a five fish limit. I fish both and according to the regs choose whether I’ll C and R or take a few home. But it’s fun to catch them on afly rather than Power Bait. Even if allowed. I’ve stood next to bait fishermen and found the right fly, catching one fish after another to be released while the bait fishermen were not having any luck. I Don’t gloat or think I’m special, just lucky to still be able to have fun. And I’m not above helping some youngster figure out how to present his Power Bait or worm to catch his five fish. Or offer some fella to try a few casts with my fly rod.

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Sep 15, 2021 18:21:44   #
Troutman 78
 
I don't understand why most fly fisherman don't eat trout, I fish to eat. Fish are food regardless of species, as long as your not wasting the fish I do not see the problem. I only keep bigger ones though anything over 12 inches, under I put back so they can get bigger. I like to filet and deep fry if I choose to or great on the grill wrapped in foil with lemons garlic and salt pepper and butter 👍

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Sep 15, 2021 22:59:48   #
lipsticker Loc: Hartford Wisconsin
 
Yum, Tasty! Limits are in place for a reason. Here in Wisconsin there are two, You get a daily "Bag" and then the one some don't pay attention to is a 'Possession'. Ya that's what's in the freezer. How's it work in other states?

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Sep 15, 2021 23:10:59   #
Troutman 78
 
Here in Pennsylvania it's 5 a day limit, and they have to be at least 9 inches to keep but I don't keep anything under 12 inches and usually only take home 2 or 3 fish. Enough to eat for a day or two, unless they swallow the hook then no choice but to keep them or they die.

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Sep 16, 2021 08:39:07   #
woodNfish Loc: Laconia, New Hampshire
 
Just because some people only do catch and release, doesn't mean you guys have to defend your desire to eat part of your catch. As Troutman wrote, fish are food. Enjoy your catch.

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Sep 17, 2021 06:50:22   #
Burgie Loc: NE Iowa
 
The DNR allows you to keep fish for a reason. The population will stay healthy as long as the rules are followed by anglers. I’ve meet fly fishermen that think keeping what you catch is a cardinal sin... It’s kind of ridiculous. Not keeping a meal once’s in a while defeats the purpose.

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