Fishing Wales: Catch and Release - Fishing Visit Wales

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Catch and Release

Playing the fish.
The more exhausted a fish is, the lower the chance of survival is, so.

  • Bring the fish to the boat or bank firmly and quickly.
  • Use a line or cast that allows you to do this. The Environment Agency suggests that in general 12 lbs breaking strain would be a minimum and 15 lbs bs or more when the river is up.
  • Move the fish out of the fast current if you can.

Landing salmon

  • Keep the fish in the water. Recent research shows that salmon exposed to air have a lower chance of survival once returned. The Environment agency advises fish to be kept in the water at all times.
  • Don’t use a tailer (or a gaff which is now illegal)
  • Don’t beach the fish.
  • Use your hands or when you need to use a net – use a big one and make sure it has a soft knotless mesh. Abrasion can lead to infection.

Removing the hook.

  • Wet your hands,
  • Keep the fish in the water,
  • Be gentle, do not squeeze the fish,
  • Take extra care with fresh fish, particularly early in the season as they are more prone to damage and fungal infection.
  • Remove the hook gently, forceps can help so keep them close to hand when you are fishing.
  • If the fish is deep hooked – cut the line as close to the hook as possible (have your clippers or scissors handy) These fish do survive.

Releasing a Wye Salmon

Reviving the salmon

  • Avoid weighing the fish – estimate the weight.
  • A photograph provides a record of your catch but keep the fish in the water.
  • Support the fish steadily, in a current, facing upstream.
  • Be patient- a tired fish needs your help, but minimise handling.
  • Give the fish time to recover and swim away on its own.

Survival chances
Survival depends on your ability in using the techniques outlined in these pages. Studies have shown that fish survival rates can run close to 100%.

  • Salmon caught late in the season have a very high chance of survival and successful spawning following release.
  • Fresh run salmon need special care.
  • Large fish are less affected by angling than grilse.
  • Careful handling and return of salmon to their natural environment is one of many ways you can contribute to the future of your fisheries. It will also add to the pleasure you get out of fishing.

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  • Anglers' Conservation Association
    The official site of the Anglers' Conservation Association known by most British anglers simply as the A-C-A.
  • Atlantic Salmon Trust
  • Salmonid 21C
    Salmonid 21C is an initiative to develop agreement on how we manage and conserve wild salmon, trout and sea trout stocks in the UK and Ireland in the twenty first century
  • Ceredigion's 'Anglers Welcome'
    Ceredigion's 'Anglers Welcome' initiative provides anglers with a choice of quality accommodation - all inspected by the Wales Tourist Board and committed to welcoming anglers. Use Anglers Welcome accommodation bases whilst enjoying the whole range of angling offered within Ceredigion, including sea trout fishing on the Teifi, coarse fishing in stillwater fisheries, sea angling trips from Aberystwyth and beachcasting from the environs of beautiful Cardigan Bay beaches
  • The Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre
    The Scottish Fisheries Coordination Centre ensures the exchange of fishery-related information between the whole range of organisations involved in fisheries management in Scotland. The site includes details of the partners, which include the West Coast Fishery Trusts, and direct links.
  • Gilbert van Ryckevorsel
    Gilbert van Ryckevorsel is a Canadian photographer whose site offers outstanding underwater pictures of salmon.
  • Angling News
    Angling News provides a wide range of information on angling related matters, including river reports. It provides a news service, and its links include a number of conservation and fishery management addresses.
  • The Coomhola Salmon Trust
    The Coomhola Salmon Trust An Irish educational trust which has developed an inspirational programme for children and teachers.
  • Wildlife Underwater Video
    Wildlife Underwater Video Manu Esteve is a Spanish underwater researcher and video cameraman, currently studying in the USA, who has captured some remarkable images of salmon spawning.
  • The Salmon Farm Monitor
    The Salmon Farm Monitor, which is the website of the Salmon Farm Protest Group, carries outspoken criticisms of sea cage aquaculture.
  • Ceredigion's 'Anglers Welcome'
    Ceredigion's 'Anglers Welcome' initiative provides anglers with a choice of quality accommodation.
  • Federation of Fly Fishers Europe
    FFF-Europe represents the voluntary European Flycasting Instructor Certification Program for FFF organizations in Europe which was founded in 1995 by a group of well known European flycasting experts.
  • Dolgellau AA
    The Website of Dolgellau Angling Association, some of the Finest Sea Trout Fishing in the world is superbly managed by this forward looking Association.
  • Sea Trout Fishing
    Recently revamped and is an essential site if you have any interest in sea trout fishing. A super forum where all your questions about fishing for Sea Trout can be answered by experts.
  • The River Ogmore
    A comprehensive informative site on the River Ogmore, super content and info to the visiting angler.
  • Seiont,Gwyrfai and Llyfni Association
    A cracking little site of an angling club based in North Wales who manages a wealth of fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout, Trout and Char.
  • Aberystwyth Angling Association
    Website of an angling club which manages some super Sea trout fishing in Mid Wales and fantastic wild brown trout stillwater fisheries.
  • Angling Wales
    Website with information on fishing in North Wales looking at Sea Trout fishing in particular.
  • Environment Agency Wales – Rod License
    A quick and easy way to purchase your Rod licence online.
  • Teifi Trout Association
    Excellent web site about the river Teifi – the club manage over 25 miles of the best Sea trout and Salmon Water on the Teifi - look at their information on catch and release.
  • Sea Trout Fisher
    General information on sea trout fishing, useful before travelling.
  • Simple Flies for Simple Fishermen
    As the web site address suggests - useful. Tie rather than buy using patterns from this site.
  • Celtic Fly Craft
    Flies, fly-tying materials, equipment and tackle. Will advise you on what flies are needed to fish in Wales.
  • Coch y Bonddu Books
    Fishing and sporting, new and second hand books from Machynlleth
  • Gliffaes Hotel
    A lovely fishing hotel with water on the Usk
  • National Federation of Anglers
    The governing body for freshwater anglers in the UK
  • Tour of the Teifi
    A virtual trip from source to sea, following one of Wales’s most beautiful rivers.
  • Tour of the Tywi
    Source to sea following the Tywi,
  • Where to fish in Wales
    As the name suggests more ideas on where to catch fish.
  • The Wye and Usk Foundation
    A charitable trust set up to look after and manage two of Wales’ most majestic rivers.
  • Float Tubing Association
    Representing the interests of Float tube enthusiasts in the UK.
  • River to River
    River to River provide a unique opportunity to fish specially selected stretches of private waters on some of the finest rivers that weave their way through the beautiful heartland of West Wales.
  • North Wales Fly Fishing School
    With 50 years total fishing, tuition, guiding, and tournament casting under our belts we hope to pass on the benefits derived from both our backgrounds and hard work and disciplines we have achieved over this period of time
  • Dream Streams
    Learn to fish for Salmon, Sea trout, and Wild Brown trout in West Wales
  • Fishing in Wales
    A super site containing loads of info on all types of fishing in Wales
  • Cymdeithas Pysgota Tregaron Angling Association
    Fantastic Website of a mid / west Wales angling club offering fantastic wild fishing on the upper Teifi and in several beautiful lakes in the Cambrian Mountains.
  • The Severn Vyrnwy Project
    The past 12 months has seen the start of a revitalising and innovative new land management scheme called the Severn Vyrnwy Project. It is working with the rural community in a move towards sustainable land management.
  • Anglers Conservation Association
    As the name suggests, representing the conservation side of angling.
  • Flymail
    Mail order Fishing Flies
  • Aberystwyth Directory
    List of Welsh Rivers and contacts
  • Derek Turner Fly Fishing Instructor
    Derek is based in North Wales and offers Fly fishing tuition.
  • The Fly Shack
    A shop and online store which cater for all the angler’s needs based in Llanelli in West Wales
  • Graiglwyd Springs
    A super small stillwater venue in Penmaenmawr north Wales. Regular catches of double figure Rainbow trout happen at the venue.

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