I like this story a lot, John. I grew up in Montana mostly releasing fish all my life, keeping a few occasionally. Usually stocked fish, or fish from rivers or lakes with a very healthy wild population. For instance, any trout I catch in the Madison River goes back in, but a nice brook trout in the Beartooth Wilderness is supper. It wasn't until coming east for a while that I heard people condemning the killing of any trout, without much thought to where it was killed. The issue just isn't that black and white.

Great story, I usualy release all of my trout, but I do occasionaly keep some. I can't stand it when people preach to me. Stay out of my business and I will stay out of yours. Chances are that if someone is out there trout fishing they know about catch and release.

You are really bad, John. Not for keeping the fish but for leading the guy on. But, I would have done the same. There was no reason for you to have to explain. One of these days I will actually keep and eat a couple of brook trout. I hear they are as tasty as they are beautiful.

I took a friend from Europe to a flyshop where catch and release is the absolute norm - it's built the river to what it is today. I asked about the hatches. My European friend said he wanted to catch some fish that he could "kill" - emphasis on kill. The shop owner about had a heart attack. The shop got dead quiet. But I burst out laughing so hard at his expression and the shock that I about bust a gut. I give the shop owner credit for not going into preach mode. I told him I would educate my friend.

That was funny. I say if you are fishing or hunting, leave the soap box at home. That guy wanted to preach over 2 fish, come on.

Sounds like something i would do.

Good story John. I can't remember the last time I kept a fish but I still appreciate a full stringer when I see one. I think it goes back to when I was a kid and full stringers were a sign of success. Now in my older days sunshine and friendship is a successful day.

Trout are some of the best-tasting freshwater fish out there. Nothing wrong with keeping some, as long as they go in someone's belly.

i say that people should keep their own ideas to themselves on the water. I personally like to keep fish under 12" since they are so sweet. I see how on some rivers this shouldn't be done but my stream the population is so strong that if we don't manage it correctly all we get is little fish.

i practice c and r because im lazy. i love fresh trout and sometimes keep them or stripers or flounder because its delicous, i wish everyone would remember that not all of us have as much and the difference between a super dinner and mac n chheese for the family is a hunk of swimming protein. im still a lazy butt about cleaning fish though.

They don't make it through the summer down here. Stock and eat!

i fish the stream that runs under the bridge near my house almost every day and i will say that i probably release over 200 fish a year the few trout that i keep are a delicious end to a day well spent. my philosophy with keeping trout is keep only what you'll eat and it is okay. but i will go an a torrent if i see someone keeping over the limit of trout. by the way osobear50 you must be one of the dumbest people to ever comment on this website congratulations

jmcctheboss23 you have to be the dumbest SOB on the planet if you think my comment is the dumbest. You obviously didn't read your own before you submitted it. Everyone has their own opinion, just because it differs from yours doesn't mean it is wrong or right. I love to fish and I release the fish that aren't big enough to keep. Once I catch my limit or enough to feed my family I stop fishing. Why continue to fish. Yes the fun is going to end and I have to find somthing else to do to get my jollies.

By the way God gave me the ability to catch a fish to eat not hurt it for fun. I have nothing against those who catch and release for fun, and never will, but it is not for me and I won't teach it to my kids. There are plenty of things to do for fun, like train my hunting dogs, than to fish to kill time.

Should have been like the old poacher that had been caught by the game warden dynamiting fish. When the game warden started to question him about his activities, he handed the warden a lit stick of dynamite and said, "you gonna fish, or just stand there talking"?

Not much more intolerant than a died in the wool catch and release trout fisherman or a reformed cigarette smoker.

I believe that guy was in the wrong. That's why the good people to the Dept. of Conservation set daily limits. I do all my hunting and fishing because 1) It's fun, and 2) It's a great source of food. I throw back my fair share of fish too, but my family likes to eat. As long as you weren't breaking the law, you were perfectly in the right.

I can't stop laughing John!
No wonder Fred wanted you to teach him the art of fly fishing ... you taught him something far greater!

If I had been Mr.Dressed "To The Nines", I would have asked to have been invited for dinner, instead of allowing you to "twist my head" ..."You're really bad!"
It still tickles me.