As many of you, I am a hardcore angler who loves to be on
the water. No matter the weather, season or time of day, you can find me
somewhere chasing fish. But what happens when the water get so low, even the
most thoughtful fisherman don't fish? Well, that is a very good question; the
answer lies in the ethics of what you are doing.
 |
| The Main Southwest Miramichi at drought level |
 |
| Low grassy section of the St. Mary's River |
 |
| Rocky Brook during low summer flow |
It all comes down to where the water source is coming from,
how high you are in the system, how long you fight the fish, and what you do
with it after it's in the net. Let's start with the don'ts...
Don't fish in streams with a shallow slope. This leads to
low oxygen water from lack of flow and oxygen added through rapids and falls.
Don't fish for fish who are resting in cold water refuges,
as their last resort at survival.
Don't fish during mid-day to afternoon hours, this is when
the water temperature is the highest and D.O. at it's lowest.
Don't fish lower in the river system as water temperatures
are usually much higher; than their headwaters.
Don't fish in streams with tea-stained water, these streams
are quite warm due to the sun absorbing into the dark surface.
 |
| Dark, slow moving tea stained water late August |
Don't fight fish for extended periods of time, use your rod
and get the fish in quickly. Depleting its energy in low-oxygenated waters is a
big no, no.
Don't take the fish out of the water for an extended length
of time.
Don't take six or seven photos of the fish, four or five
feet from the water..
Don't fish large, gaudy flies, you'll not have much luck
during the day.
Okay, now that I've made you feel
bad if you've done these things. We all have done them in one way shape or form.
Either that, or I've angered you enough that you have left the page in distaste. On to the Do's; again this is my opinion, feel free to
disagree. #troutlivesmatter though...
Do practice proper catch and release methods, wet hands and
barbless hooks.
Do revive the fish properly, facing upstream in flowing
water.
 |
| Low Water on the West Branch St. Mary's River |
Do your honest and best effort to ensure the fishes survival
after it's left your hands.
Do exercise thought into where, how and what species you are
fishing.
Do use a net if you want to take photos, leaving the fish in
the net (in the water) while you set up the camera is best.
 |
| Large Minipi Brook Trout |
Do know your limit, when you've caught 10 fish in one area;
maybe it is time to move on to the next spot. Give that pod a break.
Do use small hooks, this will not only improve your fishing
success, but will also increase survival in released fish.
Do fish streams that are fed by springs and do not have a
lot of standing water in their headwaters (i.e. lakes, swamps and bogs).
Do fish in tidal water, you never know what will be lurking
in your favourite river's estuary.
Do fish in the evening, but preferably morning; you'll have
your most success and the fish have the highest rate of survival. D.O. goes up
as water cools down through the night.
Do the fish a favour, and when conditions are just not favourable for survival; leave them well alone.
 |
| Stream of high slope in high water vs. low water conditions |
There are some more that I could add, but those are some of
the most important ones many anglers should know before they get their fishing
fix during low water conditions. I hope you enjoyed, learned something or at
least had some kind of reaction to my words. If you agree, protest or are
neutral feel free to leave a comment and share with you friends.
Thanks for reading,
Posts
