Man, I have looked and looked and can't find the reg that describes how to release a river caught salmon.

I am interested because I have seen a number of guys ticketed for using their feet to steer the fish back to the water. I'm not talking about kicking the fish, just helping it along with your feet. Who wants to grab ahold of a soreback chum and carry it? Anyone? Some over-zealous wardens out to balance the budget on the backs of us "outlaws".

Any help greatly appreciated....soap boxers not invited to speak.

And "no" I wasn't one of the poor *******s who got a ticket. I'm just thoroughly disgusted with state ticket whores.

Thanks

Wet hands are the best possible tool for handling a fish to be released. I suspect they consider a rubber boot to be a poor substitute, whether you WANT to touch that fishy or not.

If you don't bring it into water under 1' deep you usually don't have to touch it anyway.

Its all about respect, you need to respect the fish you catch, even the chums, if you dont like the smell of them take up something else, or dont fish for them late in the year/run...DJ

Not doubting your story, but are you sure that is precisely what the ticket was for?

I've never gotten a ticket but I would think that the infraction would have to be cited on the ticket by code. Then you could research the infraction.

I hate to see these beautiful fish kicked back into the water. It must be the trout flyfisherman in me but, I always pick up my fish with wet hands, hold them facing upstream, and let them swim away on their own will, even if it takes a couple minuts. I will say that it really sucks when a fish is taking it's time to swim away when it is very cold out and the water is freezing!!!

Good point, GoHarley....I'll have to ask my friend who one of several lucky recipients.....any infraction I have seen always has a RCW number.....but it has been so many years (at least 35) since I've gotten a fishing or hunting ticket, I'm not sure that they have the code.....but I'll check.

Interesting that no one rattled off exactly where I could find a reference, tho......I'm still looking for help there.

Also interesting is the comment that I need to respect the fish.....I agree and do......I "help" the fish back to water without picking them up....which only leads to dropping them on the rocks, especially with wet hands. Chum have a motor that never quits, and are next to impossible to get them to quit kicking.....when possible I don't remove them from the water more than necessary to back out my single barbless hook, however, undercut banks, branches, and large rocks always are a factor is how easy it is to release the fish. I shouldn't have to explain all this every time now, should I?