Artificial Flies Research Articles

Investigating possibilities in attracting invasive green anoles with live and artificial baits

Traps are often used as effective tools for eradicating invasive predators. Traps with baits are more effective than those without baits, and live baits are expected to be more effective than artificial ones. However, keeping live baits fresh is often difficult and labour-intensive; thus, artificial baits are to be desired. In this study, we verified the effectiveness of live and artificial baits with or without movement in attracting the invasive green anole Anolis carolinensis. We conducted behavioural experiments in a laboratory with four treatments (live flies, artificial flies without movement, artificial flies with movement and no bait). We placed one of the four bait treatments in a transparent square tube and observed whether a green anole entered the tube (i.e., was attracted) within 30 min. Bait effectiveness was evaluated by comparing the number of attracted and unattracted individuals to that of the control. Green anoles were attracted to live flies but not to artificial flies with or without movement. Our study confirmed that live baits are useful as attractants for green anoles. Artificial baits and those with movement were not attractive, probably because of their monotony. Artificial baits with more complex movements can possibly attract green anoles, and future studies investigating this possibility are needed.

Effects of Air Exposure in Summer on the Survival of Caught‐and‐Released Salmonids

AbstractDespite the success of catch‐and‐release regulations, exposing fish to air during release has emerged as a growing concern over the past two decades. We evaluated the effect of air exposure during midsummer on survival of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri, Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus, and Rainbow Trout O. mykiss exposed to catch‐and‐release angling. Fish were sampled by angling on Palisades Creek (August 2016), Sawmill Creek, and the Main Fork of the Little Lost River, Idaho (July−August 2017). After capture, fish were kept underwater while they were measured and individually tagged. Anglers, in groups of two to four, caught study fish and gave them an air exposure treatment of 0, 30, or 60 s. Single‐pass backpack electrofishing was then used to recapture tagged fish and estimate relative survival. In total, 328 Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout were sampled (0 s: n = 110; 30 s: n = 110; 60 s: n = 108), 278 Bull Trout (0 s: n = 92; 30 s: n = 94; 60 s: n = 92), and 322 Rainbow Trout (0 s: n = 103; 30 s: n = 106; 60 s: n = 113). The majority of fish were caught using artificial flies (≥92%) and were hooked in the corner of the mouth, lower jaw, or upper jaw (≥78%) in all three species. No difference in survival was observed among air exposure treatments for all three species. Results from the present study along with those from prior field studies of air exposure times during angling suggest that mortality from exposing fish to air for ≤60 s is not likely a population‐level concern in catch‐and‐release fisheries for these species.

Demand for fishery regulations: Effects of angler heterogeneity and catch improvements on preferences for gear and harvest restrictions

Allocating limited funds across competing management actions to generate the fisheries improvements most desired by anglers requires in-depth knowledge of angler preferences for aspects of the fishing experience. Characterizing angler preferences in terms of a probability distribution, rather than simply a population mean, provides fisheries managers with insights into how preferences vary across the population of anglers. This is particularly important with respect to fishing regulations, for which anglers may have strong yet diverse preferences. To examine angler preferences and how these preferences vary across the population of trout anglers, we estimated a random parameters logit model of trout fishing site choice using data from a mail and internet administered choice experiment of Michigan trout anglers (response rate—44.6%). We found that, even though on average trout anglers do not prefer fishing at sites with the most strict fishing regulations (Catch and Release Only and Artificial Flies Only; p<0.01), about 18% and 26% of anglers do prefer sites with these regulations (all else equal). We then exploit positive and statistically significant (p<0.01) mean preferences for trout catch rates and sizes to examine how sites with regulations that result in offsetting catch-related improvements can increase the proportion of anglers preferring such sites. These results can help improve trout fishery management by focusing scarce resources on the improvement of the most-preferred catch-related attributes, while understanding how anglers are affected by gear and harvest regulations.

Capture Efficiency of Barbed versus Barbless Artificial Flies for Trout

AbstractI examined the capture efficiency of artificial flies fished with barbed and barbless hooks in various coldwater fisheries throughout California. Capture efficiency was defined as the proportion of trout (family Salmonidae) landed to the total number of trout hooked while angling. Waters were selected based on high catch per unit effort along with trout species present in an effort to increase the probability of encounters and the species represented. Artificial flies were standardized by J‐style hooks and three artificial fly types (dry, nymph, and streamer). In an effort to reduce bias, anglers were not told what hook type (i.e., barbed or barbless) they were using and were not allowed to handle or visually inspect flies. A total of 1,617 trout were landed with a mean total length of 213 mm and a range of 64–660 mm. Mean capture efficiency (and ranges) was 76% (38–100%) for anglers using barbed flies and 63% (0–100%) for anglers using barbless flies. Results show that anglers using barbless flies landed proportionately less trout than when they used barbed flies. Fisheries managers must weigh any perceived benefits from barbless regulations with potential reductions in catch rates and associated angler satisfaction.Received May 24, 2012; accepted January 17, 2013

Evaluating Recent Innovations in Bait Fishing Tackle and Technique for Catch and Release of Rainbow Trout

Since some recent innovations in bait tackle and technique appear to reduce or eliminate the immediate mortality of released rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, this study tested the hypothesis that they are as effective for hook and release as artificial flies. Hatchery rainbow trout from aquaculture pens were caught using circle hooks, the new Shelton self-releasing hooks, standard J and treble hooks, and artificial flies (all barbless), noting hook location, 26-d weight change, and survival. Except for those caught on artificial flies, the fish were encouraged to swallow the hook, which was baited with a pasty attractant popular in eastern California (Berkley Powerbait). Most Shelton, J, and treble hooks (78, 65, and 63%, respectively) lodged in the esophagus, whereas all artificial flies and at least 70% of the circle hooks lodged in the mouth or jaw. Flies, circle hooks, and Shelton hooks were extracted from the fish, and the lines were cut on the J and treble hooks. The fish caught with flies, J hooks (line cut), and netted controls all survived the observation period. The survival of fish caught on the Shelton, cut-line treble, and extracted circle hooks was 98, 98, and 91%, respectively. The mean growth of cut-line J-hook fish was somewhat below that in other groups. The results from a second experiment showed that the Shelton hooks can be effective (0.7% mortality in 60 d) with no fish handling, and a third study suggested that much larger fish suffer only slightly greater mortality from flies, cut-line circle hooks, and Shelton hooks (0.7, 3.3, and 4.7%, respectively). Since significant differences in the long-term mortality and growth effects of some bait techniques and artificial flies could not be demonstrated, the use of the former should be recommended to anglers and perhaps reconsidered in waters where bait angling is not currently allowed.

Postrelease Hooking Mortality of Rainbow Trout Caught on Scented Artificial Baits

Abstract The postrelease mortality of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss caught on scented artificial baits was compared with postrelease mortalities of rainbow trout caught on traditional artificial flies. In all, 457 fish were captured on flies, 505 on artificial baits fished actively (ABA), and 511 on artificial baits fished passively (ABP) in five replicate experiments. Water temperature, fish length, time played, time out of water, hook location, leader treatment, and bleeding intensity were recorded for each fish captured. Mortalities were recorded daily over a 3-week holding period. Overall mortalities were 3.9% for fly-caught fish, 21.6% for fish caught on ABA, and 32.1 % for fish caught on ABP Differential mortality among gear types resulted largely from differences in the number of fish hooked in the gill arches or deep in the esophagus (critically hooked) in each group. Overall, critical bookings were 3.9% for the fly-caught group, 45.7% for the ABA group, and 78.3% for the ABP group. The Akaike...

Genetics of the Birchen and Blue Plumage Patterns in Leonesa Chickens

Data are presented on the genetic basis for plumage color of the Birchen and Blue varieties of the Leonesa, a breed of Spanish chicken whose feathers are traditionally used by fishermen for the construction of artificial flies. Results of crosses between Birchen Leonesa males and Castellana (E/E Ml/Ml) females suggested that the former carries the birchen allele (ER) at the E locus. This allele is modified by the melanotic gene (Ml), resulting in a self black plumage pattern. This fact was further verified by the cross between Melanotic Prat (eWh/eWhCo/Co Ml/Ml) males and Birchen Leonesa females. The degree of expression of ER is not modified by the Columbian mutation (Co), although it is suggested that this gene produces nonblack lacing of the upper breast feathers of some birchen birds. The data verify the existence of separate alleles for birchen (ER) and extended black (E) and clarify the interaction between the birchen allele and the Columbian restriction and melanotic loci. Crosses between Blue Leonesa males and Brown (eb/eb) tester females showed that this variety was ER/ER and heterozygous for the blue (Bl) mutation. The absence of the melanotic gene in the Blue Leonesa resulted in light blue adult plumage and chick down. It is suggested that the E and Ml loci are on different sides of the peacomb (P) gene because they segregate independently. Chick down data suggest that the birchen allele eumelanized the normally white ventral down of E chicks. The silver-faced black chick down of the silver melanotic Columbian phenotypes indicated that the eWh/ewhMl/Ml Co/Co genotype is a suitable background for color sexing involving the silver and gold alleles.

A Meta-Analysis of Hooking Mortality of Nonanadromous Trout

The results of 18 studies of hooking mortality of nonanadromous trout were integrated with meta-analysis. Studies were coded for all variables suspected of having a relationship to rates of hooking mortality. The analysis showed that trout caught on bait died at higher rates than trout caught on artificial flies or lures, that fish caught on barbed hooks had higher mortality rates than fish caught on barbless hooks, that brown trout Salmo trutta had lower mortality rates than other species of nonanadromous trout, and that wild trout died at higher rates than hatchery-reared trout. Other variables, including size of hooks, number of hooks, and water temperature, did not show a statistically significant relationship to hooking mortality. The results of this review should assist fisheries management agencies in refining and developing policies regarding fisheries regulations.

Survival of Released Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, Caught on Artificial Flies, Worms, and Spinner Lures

ABSTRACT Effects of three types of terminal gear and anatomical hooking location on mortality of released bluegill were investigated. Worm-baited hooks, artificial flies, spinner baits and seines (control group) were used to catch fish. Bluegill caught with worms had a significantly higher (P < 0.001) mortality (88%) than those caught with flies (32%), lures (28%) or seines (12%). All fish hooked in the esophagus, gill, tongue or eye died within 10 days, whereas, the mortality of fish that were hooked in the jaw was 37.5% and in the lip 13%. Worm-baited hooks were ingested deeper than artificial lures and flies. No significant difference in mortality between fly- and lure-hooked fish was observed. These results indicate that bluegills caught on artificial lures have a better chance to survive than those caught with worms.

Angling and Trout Populations on the North Branch of the Au Sable River, Crawford and Otsego Counties, Michigan, under Special and Normal Regulations, 1958–63

Angling and trout population data are compared from two stream sections of the North Branch of the Au Sable River which were fished for alternate 3-year periods of normal regulations (7-inch size limit, 10-trout creel limit, any lure) and special regulations (9-inch size limit, 5-trout creel limit, artificial flies only). Results were: (1) Fishing pressure was reduced by 50% in special regulation sections. (2) Total catch of fish in the creel was reduced by elimination of fish between 7 and 9 inches. (3) Total catch of fish larger than 9 inches was not increased. (4) The catch per hour of fish larger than 9 inches was increased significantly in one special-regulation section, but fewer anglers were involved. (5) Postseason populations of adult trout were greater under special regulations, but nonangling mortality between seasons lowered these gains to normal levels; higher postseason adult populations did not increase reproduction significantly. (6) Trout larger than 16 inches were observed in the catch from normal waters as often as from the special waters. (7) Stream sections fished under normal rules provided the greatest total harvest in the creel and the greatest angler use.

Results of Angling under Special and Normal Trout Fishing Regulations in a Michigan Trout Stream

Abstract The objective of this experiment was to compare angling quality for various sizes of trout in stream sections having two different sets of fishing regulations. Four anglers fished artificial flies and worm-baited hooks equal amounts of time in two stream sections, utilizing stratified random sampling procedures. Catch data were treated by analysis of variance, after transforming individual catch-per-hour data to: log[(catch/hour X 100) plus 1]. Total catch was 579 trout, 3.0 to 13.0 inches total length, in 192 hours; flies took 249 trout, worms caught 330 trout. Pertinent length categories into which the catch was separated were tested statistically. Statistically significant differences in catch data, at or above the 95 per cent confidence level, led to these conclusions: A. Comparing catch by both lures in both waters: 1. More trout over 7 inches long were caught with worms than with flies. No significant difference was found for all trout. 2. The second quarter of the trout season was signific...