Now that you've made a solid connection with a trout of a life time, your job begins to make sure that fish can live to see another day. Remember that the less stress a trout experiences during the catching, the faster it's going to revive and this makes the releasing easier.
Hopefully you use only barb-less hooks or flatten the barbs on the hook you'll use.
Try and land the fish as soon as possible.
Tightly woven nets with rubber materials are better as it will not damage the trout's scales, fins or gills.
Fish internal organs are also easily damaged so don't squeeze them or grip too tightly. If you really need to hold the trout, clasp it near the tail and turn it briefly on its side or upside down to immobilize it. Refrain from touching or putting a finger into its gills. You're going to do this because you want to take a picture of it so get the camera ready beforehand.
If the hook appears to be deep and not easily removed, cut the line and leave the hook in the fish.
When releasing your fish don't just let it go.
Don't force it. Don't push water through its gills. Just hold it steady with two gentle hands. It will go when it is ready. This may take time, but be patient.
Remember, just because a fish swims away when released, this does not mean damage has not been done and that the fish won’t still die in the upcoming hours or days from the experience. But, by considering all of these factors and trying to minimizing their stress, the fish will have a better chance of survival to be caught again on another day.
