"Willi" wrote in message
...
Tom Nakashima wrote:
I was going to let this slide but from reading your posts, I sense that
you're a conscientious angler concerned about the welfare of the
fisheries. The Alaskan Fish and Game feels that the Rainbow populations
are vulnerable to sport fishermen are the most protected species in terms
of limits etc. Many rivers (the Arolik too I believe) are C&R for
Rainbows. Others have very low limits.

You CAN fish light tackle with little harm to the fish but when your
tackle is so light that it is the norm for you to take 20 to 30 minutes to
land a trout, IMO, your gear is too light. After a fight of that length,
lactic acid is going to build up heavily in the trout's system. Even
though it may swim off fine, its life can be threatened by this build up.
A Google search will turn up lots of info about this. Although I can't
claim to know where that line is drawn, from reading the research, I'm
convinced that a 20 to 30 minute fight for a trout is going to have some
negative effects.

Willi

Well perhaps I should be even more of a conscientious angler after reading
your Re.
I spoke with a few of the locals in the Bethel area of Alaska, some who have
fished as far back in the 50's and early 60's on many of the Alaskan rivers.
They are pretty ****ed about the Outfitters and advertisements that bring
many of the so called "sports fisherman" to their state. One person told me
that the Rainbow trout after being caught and released many times does have
an effect on their breeding habits and population. I'm not sure if he's
trying to throw ideas in my head, but he was dead serious. Papa Bear
Adventures averages 12 parties a year on the Arolik River and most are after
the King Salmon. The Alaskan regulations are pretty strict and you have to
now "record" your Rainbow Trout over 20" at two per day limits. The License
is also up to $55.00 for 7-days non resident, and additional $30.00 for the
King Salmon stamp.
Although we never saw the enforcement, My friend and I still had our License
and stamps, however I was told many anglers do not bother.
But I do want to do the right thing in protecting the wildlife and practice
good conservation no matter what state or country I'm in.
thanks again for the tip,
-tom