So where do they go?

[flymantis73]

When the water warms up, too hot for C&R , where do the Trout go?
Down stream? find some place super deep? do they just die?
Do they hitch rides on non fish eating birds to deep lakes?

 

[Pete]

Depends on how hot and for how long.

Too hot for C&R doesn't necessarily mean too hot to survive. It means that the extra stress and oxygen demand of being caught could mean the difference between discomfort and death.

Depending on the species, "Lethal" temperatures could be in the 80s (assuming otherwise healthy and unstressed).
Conventional wisdom... "Too Hot for C&R" is 70F or 20C (easy to remember round numbers).
Some people add a safety factor...

For instance, the Ramapo normally exceeds lethal levels sometime in late June or early July.

At first, you'll find the trout in spring holes, highly oxygenated rapids, or near the outflow of a cool tributary.
In the case of rapids, evaporative cooling may be a factor.

Later all or most die, but some unusual catches indicate that a few seek refuge in tributaries.

In streams where "lethal" temperatures are temporary, and not as extreme as the Ramapo's, the healthy trout will survive if left undisturbed.

A recommendation:
If you go fishing in the early morning, and find the temperatures in the high 60s (F), don't assume C&R will work.
After the sun hits the water, temperatures are going to rise, and after sunset, it's going to take a while for them to go down.
It takes more than a few hours for the trout to recover.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

I have found many spots where trout congregate during the hot spells they are on seeps and small cooler streams or inflows. After several days of observance only the strongest survive. As the source of cool water dwindles so does the pod of fish the ones on the outer most perimeter of the cold plume are overcome by the lack of oxygen and die. I have seen the fish totally vanish from the Henryville stretch during high water temperature episodes only to return in healthy numbers once the water has cooled again. These fish generally gravitate to deep spring holes and hunker down till the water cools.When the temps on my home water hit 67 degrees I turn my attention to colder water to fish ie; tail waters and spring creeks where the water temps rarely approach lethal except in extreme conditions .

 

[flymantis73]

Def. investing in a stream thermometer next time i order gear.
been chasing Largemouth lately... first few on the fly (poppers) good fun.
Wouldn't mind hooking into the smallies either.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Pete and Allen gave you good advice. Unsafe for C&R doesn't mean death for the trout, it just means you will kill them by fishing for them. Even if they appear perfectly healthy when you release them. A half hour or more later, they turn over and die because they couldn't get the lactic acid buildup out of their muscle tissue in time to survive. Trout can be killed by fighting them too long in nearly any water temperature, not just days in the upper 60s or low 70s. The key in any C&R fishing for any species is to put maximum pressure on your fish and land them quickly.

Right now on local NJ streams, trout are sitting near mouths of tribs or have entered those tribs. They are also sitting next to springs that they find bubbling up on the bottom of the stream or in deep holes that may also have groundwater springs in them.

 

[flymantis73]

Trout can be killed by fighting them too long in nearly any water temperature, not just days in the upper 60s or low 70s. The key in any C&R fishing for any species is to put maximum pressure on your fish and land them quickly.

I try to get them in as quick as i can, Sometimes the trout are very helpful by un hooking them self when they jump..
Rusty, would going down to a 4 or 3wt for trout ease the stress on the fish? I use a 5wt currently.
when things cool off again, i'm contemplating looking into a guided trout trip.

 

[Broadheadscreek]

If you are fishing border line water use the heavier rod to get them in quick. Lighter rods make bringing the fish to hand a little more difficult and you play the fish entirely out to land it. 5wt and as heavy tippit as you can go.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Now is not the time to go light with rod weights or tippet like Broadheadscreek mentioned. I'm giving the fish a rest until we get cooler temps. That might be a week from now or not until September. Based on the last 4 or 5 summers, it's typically late in August. May is the new June and August is the new September or so it seems these days.

 

[flymantis73]

Now is not the time to go light with rod weights or tippet like Broadheadscreek mentioned. I'm giving the fish a rest until we get cooler temps. That might be a week from now or not until September. Based on the last 4 or 5 summers, it's typically late in August. May is the new June and August is the new September or so it seems these days.

yeah the seasons seem to have shifted on us..

 

[CTobias]

What is all this warm water stuff you guys are talking about? The Russian was like 49 degrees yesterday.

 

[lightenup]

Night fishing the Delaware, or Spruce Run Reservoir is good fun......I get cats, carp, bass, perch, some are really large as well.....I do not have the fly gear for this type of fishing, but.............There is something special about leaning the old spinning rod on a fallen tree, sitting on a 5 gallon bucket, with the smell a the fresh mantle in the lantern hanging in the humid night air. A sliver of a moon hangs over your head, letting the stars show well enough to make out the constellations.......just then your line starts to run through the open bail as you wait for the perfect moment to grab the rod, flip the spring and set the hook........NOW!!!!....The drag starts to scream, it's not the click of your Hardy St. George, but it sounds great none the less.......Just then as you realize you have a monster on, you also realize you haven't changed you 6 pound mono in eight years.....loosen the drag, don't put too much pressure...SNAP......all you hear are the bullfrogs laughing at you and all you smell is the rotten chicken liver on your hands..........time for a beer and the pillow....I know where I am going to be tonight!:thumb:

 

[Werloc]

I leave'em be. They're stressed enough just tryin to survive. I go for smallmouth or put the rod down and go crabing. Spring will be here soon enough...