Fish Handles Part 4 “Pushing Buttons”

Tuesday, 21 February, 2012 11:30 Written by Huskey

Hands full. Practice shooting and changing settings with one hand.

Click here to view parts 1-3 in this series on handling of catch & release fish.

Simple “point & shoot” digital cameras today are so good it’s amazing. From picture quality and incredibly versatile and capable auto lenses, to vast creative pre-settings, functions and features. The performance and capabilities of todays mid-priced ($500 and less) cameras is flat impressive. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your opportunities to photograph your catch.

First off, take time in advance to play around with your camera and it’s various settings and creative functions. Take a series of test photos of any given subject, and make changes to your settings for each image. Take note of the conditions, such as direct light or back-lit, natural or indoor light, flash and no flash, manual or auto focus, etc. Don’t be afraid to take a bunch of lousy photos in the process, this is going to happen, and the important thing is to try to gain understanding of what settings you are using and producing various results.

Building blocks for the exposure (brightness) of an image come down to only a few simple settings. The size of the opening, measured in numbers beginning with “f”, the amount of time of the exposure usually shown as a fraction “1/32″ for example, and ISO which is the sensitivity of the camera sensor (usually a number bwtween 80-3200). Now various “auto” settings (A, Av, TV, etc) of most cameras will give you flexibility of one of those elements, while making the needed adjustments to the other components depending on what you are asking the camera to do and what the camera sees as necessary to compose the shot. This conversation can go on for pages, but point being, just try and get a grip on how those three things work together for your net results. Take notes along with your test photos, and write down the settings and results you see in each resulting image.

Formula: Macro setting, ISO 100, f/2.7, 1/640

Here are a few things I like to do for creative and interesting shots of fish.

First, get very close to the fish. Note how close the camera is to the fish in the top photo, and see the results in the photo above. Most cameras have a Macro setting, usually indicated by a flower icon. This is a terrific setting for fish, as it allows a maxium wide angle field of view, and adjusts the focus to work inside very close quarters. Try it out, you will be amazed!

Settings are key and vary greatly, but here are some that work well for me:

First, go for the largest lens opening possible. This will actually be the lowest “f” number, likely 2.something. This will allow for max light and a tight focus range. Adjust your ISO to the lowest number you have. This will create a low-noise darker image, somewhat off-setting the brightness of the large lens (f) opening. Now with two of the three settings covered, adjust the time of exposure to get the brightness dialed-in with the amount of light in the scene you are shooting. As exposure gets longer, you’ll need to be ultra careful to keep the camera still. Some shots that appear out of focus, may actually be in focus, but movement during the exposure caused a blurred image.

Beyond the “proper” settings of photography, don’t be afraid to get creative! Play around with under exposing a shot, then add in flash to get a whole new look and feel. Play with white balance to get ultra accurate colors, and try long exposures for motion blur or low light capture on a tripod. Affordable cameras are out there waiting, and you may be the next person to pick one up and discover a whole new passion you never knew you had. Thats exactly what happened to me!

Bryan Huskey heads media and marketing here at Silver Creek Outfitters. If you’d like to see more of his photography, visit his site here.

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Fish Handles Part 3 (The Net Job)

Monday, 19 December, 2011 08:08 Written by Huskey

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Click here to see parts 1 and 2 of this series on handling of catch & release fish.

The bucket. The penalty box. Whatever you call it, netting fish can be intense. For many it’s tied with the actual hook-up when it comes to the best part of catching a fish. It’s challenging, climactic, and rewarding. It’s the finish line when all the pressure of landing a fish erupts with the swooshing sound of the net hitting the water and the feel of a heavy fish flopping in your net. It’s good stuff!

It’s also the single easiest way to screw everything up and loose a fish… for yourself or even worse, for someone else. Now that is an awkward situation! We’ve probably all seen it, had it happen to us, or even worse done it. When there is a big fish on the line and a hard fought battle is coming to its end, the net job is the last second point after kick in a tied football game… everything at stake and the outcome determined in the blink of an eye. Ouch Boise State.

Why bother with a net? As far as the impact they have on catch & release fish, some people are against them and some are for them. Many feel that proper use of a net is better for the overall survival of a released fish. Granted some net materials have less impact on the fish and its protective slime, so that is something to consider when net shopping. Here are some pros for using a net.

First off the quicker you land a fish the less exhausted it becomes during the fight and thus stronger it is upon release. Proper use of a net allows an angler to land & release a fish quicker, period. Contact with any dry surface is harmful to a fish, and often a person trying to handle a fish ends up mobbing, dropping, and hugging the fish as they try to unhook, or hold the fish for a photo. Or worse yet, simply drag it up on dry land. A fish that ends up on the ground or in the bottom of a boat is facing harsh odds of survival after the release. What’s the point of releasing a fish that may die from the impact of the handling? By using a net you can keep control of the fish to unhook while allowing it to rest and recover in the water. It’s also perfect for photos as you can leave the fish in the net and breathing in the water while you setup and between photos.

Here are some basic tips to keep your net from coming up empty.

1. ALWAYS head first. Scoop towards the fish in a manner that the net and fish meet head on. A fish can easily swim out of a net that is scooping towards it from the side or behind, so make it easier on yourself, avoid the gong show of chasing after a fish swatting and swinging at it’s tail no matter how “stalled” the fish appears.

2. Element of surprise is critical. You don’t want to put the net in front of the fish too soon, as it will see it and have time to turn away. The head-first scoop needs to happen in one swift, deliberate motion that catches the fish off guard. Play the fish until it tires to the point you can bring it within range of the net. Prepare for the fish to swing past, and just as it’s approaching your reach, make the move with the net quickly. One shot may be all you get, so focus and make it count!

3. Lead your target. Just like shooting at a fast flying bird, you need to anticipate where to aim so the net hits the water directly ahead of the fish. Clearly this varies on if/how fast the fish is moving and in what sort of water. But be aware, if your scoop is timed wrong and lags, you may hit the fish in the head with the rim of the net and likely break if off.

4. Heads up. Try to get the fish’s head up, ideally out of the water and the fish into a forward “slide” so it glides right into the net head first. This is easier to coordinate if you are netting your own fish and are in control of the rod. If you are netting for someone else, try to communicate with each other and work as a team to make the move when the fish has tired enough to allow it’s head to lift up out of the water slightly. Avoid attempting to net a fish under water, always make your move when the fish is up on the surface.

5. Let ‘em breathe. Once the fish is in the net, there is no need to hold the net high with the fish out of the water and gasping. If anything this is going to cause the fish to thrash and cause a big mess with your fly. If the fish is in the net it’s not going anywhere, so unless it’s headed for the grill or freezer, do it a favor and keep the fish in the net in the water while it’s unhooked, revived, and released. It’s also a good idea to dip your net before the fish goes in so it avoids contact with dry material.

Next in Part 4, we will cover tips for getting the best photographs of your catch.

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Fish Handles Part 2 (The Fight)

Tuesday, 15 November, 2011 11:35 Written by Huskey

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The fun is in the fight.

To view part one of this series on landing and handling catch & release fish click here.

Fighting a fish is a tug-o-war on a tight rope. And like most things, technique plays a big part in the outcome. The trick is to land the fish as quickly and efficiently as possible. The longer a fish is played the closer it comes to exhaustion. And trout (especially in warm water) can die from exhaustion. So retrieving that fish quickly is very important. Here are a few things to keep in mind when playing a fish.

1.
Be aware of obstructions in the water the fish my get tangled in.
Boulders, logs, stream side branches, undercut banks, etc. Keep your eyes peeled for anything and expect the fish to dart towards these things as it tries to flee for cover.

2.
Be aware of currents in the area.
Fast/heavy currents that either you or the fish can use to take the upper hand.
Slower softer currents or back eddies where you can gain the advantage.

3.
Keep the rod high and bent.
When the rod is bent it is “working” to absorb energy. It is helping to keep the line tight (thus the hook secure in the fish) and absorbing energy and pressure that the fish is applying.
Keeping the balance of pressure between slack (the hook can easily shake free) or failure (the hook bends or breaks, the line or knots fail, the rod breaks) requires acute tension on the line.
Whether using the reel and it’s drag or hand strips/ finger pressure on the line, keep that line tight but allow line release as needed to prevent break-offs.

It's a tug-o-war.

4.
Try to get the fish upstream of you.
Either by carefully leading it up or positioning yourself below the fish. When you are below (down stream) you have the current on your side, and the fish’s options and ability to move are all reduced and biased towards you.
Similar to walking a dog or leading a horse, by keeping the rod high and applying pressure you can “steer” or lead the fish. Moving it’s head is gong change the direction the fish is headed.

5.
Momentum is key.
Trout don’t have much for breaks, so when ever you get a fish pointed in the direction you need it to go, apply pressure and maximize big gains of line.
To a large degree you can “fast forward” a fish towards you (especially when you are down stream of the fish) if the currents allow and you get it pointed in your direction.
Watch for these opportunities to really “horse” the fish when it briefly stalls during its fight.

6.
Heads up.
This almost reminds me of picking up a cat by the scruff of the neck. When you can get a fish on it’s side and head up out of the water they can become disoriented and often relax momentarily.
When a fish’s head is up apply max pressure and practically “skip” it in. (Clearly this works better on small fish that your tippet can easily handle).
This also is often prime time to make your move to land the fish if you are using a net.

7.
Element of surprise.
There are scenarios where any fish can be caught off guard and landed almost immediately after being hooked. The key is to use and be quick with a net and be prepared for the occasions when the fish presents this opportunity.
Try to stay stealthy, calm and still so the fish does not see itself being pulled towards a cluster of thrashing gore-tex screaming like a little girl.

Part 3 will cover techniques for landing/netting fish.

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Fish Handles Part I

Thursday, 11 August, 2011 08:35 Written by Huskey

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Fish Handling Part One.

It’s pretty much standard procedure when an angler hooks into a big fish for the camera to come out and anticipation of a killer “grip & grin” photo to follow. We all love ‘em! And now with the proliferation of the internet and photo sharing we see so many images of proud fisherman and their catch. Being that many of us exist mainly in the Catch & Release realm and waters of fly fishing, landing then photographing and finally releasing fish in good healthy condition is of the best interest of ourselves and others. So what I hope to provide here is a step by step guide for the C&R angler who wants to save the moment or simply record a great catch digitally for him and the world to see. Or for that matter, tips for simple fish handling and releasing even if no photos are taken.

Getting great photos of fish can be quite difficult, however it can also be quite simple and harmless to you and the fish if a few methods are used and certain things are avoided. We can all agree that if more people out on your favorite water are releasing fish 100% unscathed, it’s a win win for us all. And the reality is that if a fish is handled in the wrong way and dies after what the angler assumes is a healthy release, it becomes a complete and total loss to everyone.

What I will try and outline here are steps to take after a fish is hooked. It’s up to your fishing skills until this point, but as soon as you have a fish hooked it’s life and well being are in your hands. From there we will look at how to fight and land a fish quickly, how to remove flies quickly, how to get the best photo possible, then how to help the fish rest, recover and finally release the fish in great condition.

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Point & Shoot Giggles

Friday, 05 August, 2011 08:40 Written by Huskey

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Playing with exposure and getting in really tight can reveal some great features otherwise missed.

For fun times snapping your next catch, explore the macro feature on most any “point & shoot” camera for great close up images. With most of these types of cameras having flip out viewfinders, it’s easy to keep the fish in the the water and get the lens right up in the grill of your catch. Practice getting the camera settings changed over and holding the camera with one hand with the viewfinder arranged so you can get the camera low and see the screen. Then get familiar with the focus range in the macro (flower icon on some cameras) setting. It’s amazing how close you can get in this wide angle setting, getting lots of fish and interesting background elements like reflections in the mix too. Play around and practice with the auto focus, getting a feel for how your camera likes to focus in this mode.

Having a net is a big advantage to keeping the fish happy and recovering in the water for cool photos. I like to hold the fish by the tail, trying to orient the fish in a natural position. The side and top of most fish is better looking than the bottom or belly, so keeping the fish upright and the camera pointing slightly down is ideal. Keeping the fish in the water or at least wet is not only crucial for survival of the fish, but also keeps all the colors glossy and vibrant. (Unless you are harvesting the fish, please don’t ever allow a fish to have contact with anything dry, as the protective slime will be damaged and the health of the fish will be greatly compromised.)

To get a little “techy” I seem to have good luck adjusting some manual settings, so if your camera allows try adding manual to the mix. With low to mid priced cameras, I like to set the ISO at 100, or 80 if available. Then set the aperture as wide as it will go, around 2.8 the adjust the time of the exposure to work with whatever lighting is available. Not really rocket science, just play around getting focus sharp and exposure balanced and your fish will look great!

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Posts Tagged ‘tips’

Fish Handles Part 4 “Pushing Buttons”

Fish Handles Part 3 (The Net Job)

Fish Handles Part 2 (The Fight)

Fish Handles Part I

Point & Shoot Giggles

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