Two questions for the Board. Noticed on another thread that B Mac went 27(landed)-for-41 (hookups), or a .660 'batting average' this past winter. Looking over my journals I've kept over the past few years I've crept up from the 0.400's (which is obviously below standard) to the 0.600's but can't seem to stay pinned to 75% of the fish (my goal over the course of the season). I was wondering how everyone else does. I also realize that the type of water, size of fish, tackle and techniques used are going to affect the percentages but I read in STS and other mags that some guy went 17-for-19 over a weekend and I think "Dag! I should be doin' that too!" (Then I go out in the saltwater and lose 5 in row and start talking to myself.)

2. Also, thinking about C & R mortality and the way of keeping it down perhaps a more lenient definition of 'caught' is needed. It's a bit ironic that these native fish most of us release are sometimes subjected to extra trauma because somebody needs a photo or he and his buddies have agreed that it isn't caught till it's on the bank/ in the boat.

I mean some fly fishermen count a fish as caught once its belly touches gravel! I think this is a LITTLE lenient as most 10lb steelhead I've hooked turn and run as far as they can the first 4-5 times their bellies touch the bottom. One guide I know grabs his client's line and either breaks or cuts off the leader boatside (leaving a hook and yarn in a baitloop plus 3-6" of line in the fish), and then reties. Says it's easier on the fish (though he doesn't insist his clients use barbless hooks), his boat (no thrashing) and himself (no hooks or teeth in fingers) to leave these beauties in the water. I'm tempted to start following this guide's example and count fish as caught once the leader's been touched/ grabbed. Anyone have any thoughts?