I know this might offend some of you, but I hope it will make you think about how we treat the fish we pursue. Don't you think that fish porn is little more than a penis size competition? I do. Why do these shots always show some wanker cheesing for the camera? After all we don't know who the fish is do we? What his name is or where he or she came from. And did the fish sign a waiver giving us permission to post his mug on the web? Do you guys go around taking pictures of chicks in kinky boots at the mall with your camera phone and posting them on the web? We call that stalking here in the States, and we have laws against it. Shouldn't the angler be as anonymous as the fish? Most of the time when I see a picture of a fish, I'm left with questions. How? Where? What fly? Oh, on a worm how nice, you must be quite an angler.

More to the point is how the fish is treated once it's hooked. First are you using the right tackle? Those fine leaders are ok for little fish, but when a larger fish is on and your leader is your primary concern you're not doing the fish any favors. A short fight is in the fish's best interest. Play your fish quickly. I know if the leader is going to hold up in the first few seconds of the fight because I really put the shit to them. Small fish are easily stripped in as soon as their head is on the surface. Larger fish should be played on the reel.

Know about anaerobic metabolism? Well we really need to think about it. A stressed fish is nothing more than prey if we don't properly resuscitate it. How long can we hold the fish out of water? How long can you hold your breath? That's a good way to do this. Take a breath, hold it, and snap your picture. Then let the fish catch his breath. When he is ready he'll let you know with a flip of his tail. I think Paul shows the proper technique in the videos. Properly prepared for the shot. Quick weigh in the net then off you go then.

The Boga Grip is another pet peeve of mine. In many places long fish are not held up by their lip. Many Tarpon, Muskie, Pike, and Sturgeon are cradled. Strugeon are not allowed to come out of the water when caught in some fisheries. Hold them the way they live. Horizontal. One last thing "don't play with your food".

Rich Knoles is firefighter and casting instructor in the US state of Michigan where he also serves as the flycasting chair of the state's FFF chapter. If he's not after steelhead or chasing salty denizens, he's on the Board looking for a place to fire his rocketlauncher.