Northwest Fishing Magazine October 2025 Volume 5 Issue 2 - Flipbook - Page 19
to replace the lost scales.
The result is usually a slow
and painful death.
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DUDE: So how does the wellmeaning fisherman cause
the harm?
KOKANEE: The harm is more
likely early in the season
when the scales are very
soft. The scales come off
with the use of any net, as
well as any touching with
the human hand. Well
intentioned fisherman
wanting to remove the
hooks so the "fish can live
another day" are shredding
those protective scales. And
although the fish when
released happily swims off,
the fatal damage is already
inflicted. That fish gives the
impression that all is well.
All is not well.
DUDE: So how long does it
take?
KOKANEE: You mean before
the infection becomes
fatal? Depends. Hours.
Days. But it will happen.
Of course other species
benefit. Ospreys for
example love those wellintentioned fisherman. So
do mackinaw -- lake trout.
Fish in weakened condition
become a tasty addition to
the food chain.
DUDE: So if a fisherman
wanted to simply just
release the kokanee
without touching it from
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any means, just how is that
accomplished?
KOKANEE: Let me refine
your question a bit.
Remember we are talking
about the time in their life
cycle before the scales are
fully hardened. Let’s say a
fisherman has a two rod
stamp - which many states
now have. Two rods - but
single limit. Let’s further say
that the fisherman is one
fish shy of a limit. Both rods
are out. Bam. A double.
Only one can be taken.
There are only two choices.
First, land the one and then
"release the other to live
another day" using the net
and manually removing
the hooks - and thus killing
the released fish. The other
choice is to land the one
fish, but as to the other
fish, just let it have some
slack. Unless it has a hook
through the bone in the
snoot, it will self-release.
Neat - no net, no human
hands, no loss of scales.
Actually does live another
day.
DUDE: What if it does have a
hook through the snoot?
KOKANEE: Easy. If you have
brought the fish to the side
of the boat and just let it
swim there, the fish will
be pretty tired. Control the
distance to the side of the
boat with your rod. This
works best with the boat
