Kastine Coleman is a Fly Fishers International certified casting instructor, a licensed NL (Newfoundland and Labrador) guide & fly tyer. Her lessons are focused on introducing women and children to the sport of fly fishing. Kastine and Terry Byrne run a fly fishing business www.Tightloopstightlines.com. Kastine has been hooked on salmon fishing since the age of 10, and to this day you can most likely find her on the river or in the garden... smiling, rain or shine.
Keep Fish Wet: Why do you believe Keep Fish Wet is important?
Kastine Coleman: I believe that all anglers practice catch-and-release at some point in their fishing adventures. There are often fish that are too big, too small or simply out of season. It is therefore important to know the way to release this fish so that it has the best possible chance of survival. Keep Fish Wet is an important organization because it teaches a science-based approach for the safe handling of fish. I love the idea of taking the pledge to become a KFW Advocate. It brings anglers around the world together to help with the movement.
KFW: How do you use KFW principles and tips professionally?
KC: I teach fly fishing lessons to anglers of all skill levels. Regardless of their previous knowledge, I always share the latest advancements in fish playing, handling and release techniques. It is an ever-changing field so there’s always something a client can learn. I make it a point to hold fly fishing lessons for kids each summer. When children learn the basics of KFW at such a young age it will stay with them throughout their adult lives. On top of that, when they are fishing with an adult they will often share their knowledge on how a fish should be handled.
I offer guided fishing and hosted fishing trips. I always try my best to make sure that all clients follow the KFW principles. It is easy when you are 1-on-1 to help the client play and release the fish in the least stressful manner possible. At catch-and-release salmon fishing lodges this is the daily practice as its never up to the client to decide on if they want to keep a fish or not. The health of the fish in the river is directly related to how the clients & guides handle the fish.
My partner and I are currently filming a web/tv series of shows called "Fish Hunt Feast". In each episode we use the KFW principles for every fish we hook. We also will reference the KFW website for anyone looking for additional information.
KFW: How do you personally use KFW principles and tips?
KC: I release 99% of the fish I catch. I love fishing, and would never do anything to intentionally harm a fish. So each time I hook a fish, I immediately switch into protection mode where I will do my best to use the KFW method for playing and releasing a fish. I strive to come up with imaginative ways ahead of time to photograph the fish. I love being able to share these photos so that other people can see that you don’t need to have the fish high and dry to get the best picture.
I have 3 children...After a summer with them tagging along on fishing trips, I am proud to say that the first thing they do when I hook a fish is say “remember to keep the fish in the water!”. It becomes an instinct to them to protect these fish from the moment they are hooked until long after the fish is released safely.
KFW: Do you have suggestions on how anglers can apply our principles and tips in different fishing situations?
KC: When fishing in a boat it is useful to have a net. You can net the fish and release it without taking it out of the water or into the boat. You can also use a no-touch release where you run your hand or a tool down your line to release the hook from the fish’s mouth without taking the fish out of the water. The Waterworks Lamson Ketchum Release is a great tool to have for this. If the water levels (& temperatures) allow, you can also get in the water with the fish to safely release it.
KFW: If there was one thing about science-based best practices for fish handling that you wish all anglers would remember or do, what would it be?
KC: This is a tough one. There are so many parts I wish people would remember!! Probably to remember that the water temperature plays a big role in the health of the fish. For an Atlantic salmon, the success rate on the release of a fish in cooler water is greater than it is in warm water. We have river closures for warm water temps but there are many days where the waters should be closed but the data hasn’t been recorded. It is ultimately up to the angler to decide if they are going to fish, and how they are going to handle and release a fish. KFW principles work here… and they are magnified in importance.
KFW: What challenges do you feel anglers face when applying KFW principles and tips?
KC: I believe people play their fish a little bit too long. This of course is a tough one because it's subjective, and each angler is on their own clock. The technique is important especially if it is a large fish (either larger than normal in a species or large in general like a tarpon). The rods and lines are made now to be able to handle playing a fish fairly quickly to aid in a timely release. Many people do not trust their gear and don’t want to risk losing the fish to get it in quickly.
Anglers also want that token photo with the fish out of the water. It will take a lot of creative underwater photos to change the mentality so that people want the underwater or submerged photo. Doable and worth the challenge!