Playing and Landing Fish:
Be firm and use a suitable net
Playing Fish
Fish should be played quickly and as firmly as possible so that they can be released before becoming too exhausted.
Landing Fish
Keep the fish in the water. Never lift your salmon from the water by its tail or gill cover: you will cause internal damage. Avoid taking them onto the bank or dragging them over stones or gravel. Use a soft, knotless net with small mesh size with a shallow, wide bottom to allow the fish to lie flat. Rubberised meshes sush as that shown in the video in the "Unhooking, Recording & Recovery" section are even better for fish welfare and do not snag hooks either. Replacement rubberised meshes are available via Snowbee. Otherwise, small mesh, pan-shaped nets are available via Fastnet.
- Use the right tackle - Plan ahead - Play the fish firmly and use a suitable net - Always keep them in the water