In the 1950s a chap, who many years later would be a pal of mine, used to transport carp around in the boot of his car. They were simply wrapped in wet moss and sacking. They all survived well. Today, watch a TV programme about carp fishing and you will see them out of water for several minutes, while the cameras are put to work. They then go back with no ill effects.
Trout cannot bear more than very few seconds out of water, especially big ones after a tough and long fight with an angler. The best policy for such trout is to simply return them straight from the net with no delay for photographs at all. We can get away with a quick snap if we have everything ready before taking the trout out of the water. Net the fish, remove the fly, put net and fish back in the water, ready the camera, lift net and fish out and make the snap then put the net back in the water, lower it and let the fish swim out to freedom and oxygen.
If you don't. If the fish is posed with for several photographs then tragedy like this can happen.
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| Alive this would have been a little bit over 10lbs., dead it can never make another Angler's day... |
Enjoy what is left of the season.
Best wishes
Regular Rod