Doing good fishing has been so - so. Don't disagree but I don't fish Winni for salmon so what do I know. Not even sure what this "Winni Pledge" is about. I would think stopping a boat to fight a salmon with downriggers and planner boards out would be a little tough if that is part of this "Pledge". Hanging up a few downriggers might get a little costly.
You are correct, Denny! Stopping most trolling boats to bring in a fish is impractical and not necessary. While the rigger balls are not usually at risk of hanging up, the long leads from them and lead cores, most often are!
The Winni pledge was created by a handful of dedicated Winni anglers, guides and one or two F&G biologists (a short lived group) in reaction to the "assumed" collapse of the Winni salmon 6 or 7 years ago.
The sentiment was good.
It all comes down to personal responsibility and ethics!
I agree with BS that all those "hero" shots of average fish and treble hooks are doing serious damage to cold water fish in Winni. Especially when they're coming up a long ways through warm water.
The Winni Pledge " Take the Pledge!
Landlocked salmon are a limited fishery and increasing fishing pressure combined with the use of advanced fishing technology has profound impacts on this unique resource. By pledging to be dedicated stewards, landlocked salmon anglers can make a critical difference in sustaining this valuable fishery.
Dedicated stewards:
Demonstrate a commitment to conserving New Hampshire’s landlocked salmon resources.
Acquire and demonstrate skill in using best practices that minimize impacts to this fishery.
Take the time to observe this valuable resource and reflect on its condition.
Hold themselves accountable and act in an informed, responsible manner.
Pursue opportunities to educate others about landlocked salmon resource issues.
Recognize that resource issues generate differing points of view; while they may not agree with someone else’s perspective they respect their right to express it.
Take the pledge to be a dedicated steward and assure the rich heritage of New Hampshire’s landlocked salmon resources continue for future generations. Pledge to be a dedicated steward by acquiring and demonstrating skill in using best practices that minimize your impacts to this valuable fishery.
Safe Handling Techniques for Landlocked Salmon
Catch and release fishing is a valuable tool that can lead to more and bigger fish in the fishery, but just because a fish swims away doesn’t mean that it lives to be caught another day. If you are releasing landlocked salmon, use the following practices to increase the chances that the fish you release is unharmed.
Hooks
The time it takes to remove hooks affects survival rates
Use hooks you can easily remove from the fish
Have your hook removing tools easily accessible and ready for quick use
NEVER shake a fish off the hook.
NEVER unhook a fish suspended in the air.
NEVER sharply pull hooks out while the fish is moving and twisting.
Fight Time
Survival increases when fish are not fought to exhaustion
If trolling, stop the boat immediately and play the fish quickly to the net
During the summer months, when surface water temperatures are high, reduce fight time as much as possible
Handling
Have a plan on how to handle the fish before it’s boated to minimize handling time
Use rubber or other “fish friendly” landing nets
If you have to handle the fish make sure your hands are wet
Minimize the time the fish is out of the water, less than 30 seconds whenever possible
Never touch the gills as this causes damage and impairs the fish’s ability to breath
Selective Harvest
If you are planning to release the landlocked salmon you catch, consider harvesting any legal fish that:
Is hooked severely
Has been fought to exhaustion
Has been handled excessively after it was landed
Has sustained a debilitating injury from a previous hook-up
Voluntary Reduction in Effort
On days when you experience high catch rates, particularly when water surface temperatures are above 70°F, consider limiting your fishing time/trip duration. This is difficult to ask of anglers who have a lot invested in their pursuit of these magnificent fish, but this limited fishery is not capable of sustaining high levels of catch & release fishing during the warmest months of the year."
