Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: BananasQ on September 26, 2015, 10:29:28 AM
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I've been seeing a common theme lately in many threads of people struggling to identify fish or choosing not too. Since 99% of people have smart phones does anyone know of any apps that do help anglers recognize what they have caught here in the Pacific NW? If not, does anyone help fancy making one? If you can provide logic and help with pics I can cobble something together. As ever, education is the best tool. TIA.
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iFish BC is sort of helpful, though the ID section is somewhat lacking.
What we need is an app like Shazam, where you snap a pic of your fish and it tells you what it is...;)
Or we need to petition the manufacturers to add labels to their fish.
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I could try make one ;) The Washington state department of fisheries and wildlife website has a good identification guide to the local salt and freshwater game fish. There are also several field guides available for Pacific NW fishes mostly for fish ID nerds like me ;D but there are some that are useful to the average lay person. Fish ID does require a bit of practice..I recommend regularly visiting the local fresh fish market to practice with a reference/field guide. .you won 't have to kill any fish plus it's easy to access.
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There should be a 'core' type programme for fishermen like their is for hunting as far too many can not tell a Pink from a Chum etc
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I could try make one ;) The Washington state department of fisheries and wildlife website has a good identification guide to the local salt and freshwater game fish. There are also several field guides available for Pacific NW fishes mostly for fish ID nerds like me ;D but there are some that are useful to the average lay person. Fish ID does require a bit of practice..I recommend regularly visiting the local fresh fish market to practice with a reference/field guide. .you won 't have to kill any fish plus it's easy to access.
I made one already. I saved these to my phone and can call them up at any time.
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/image.jpg)
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I made one already. I saved these to my phone and can call them up at any time.
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/image.jpg)
This is good.
Could you post a link to the original source so that I can do the same. While I am now pretty comfortable at the ID business, it's good to be 100% sure and it's would be a useful tool to show others who are less experienced.
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I would shudder to think how people 10 years ago used to ID fish without the use of an app.
In all honesty, I believe what needs to happen is an attitude change as opposed to an app. Besides, not every fish out there is a perfect specimen. My fisheries class caught a kokanee while gill netting that had spotting on the back and a fully spotted tail. That would have been fun to id if it wasn't in spawning colours.
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Hi Clarkii,
What attitude change would you like to see?
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It needs a Steelhead picture as well.
Too many of those are mis- ID-ed as an in season salmon as well as the fact that you need a tag for retention on open rivers.
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Hi Clarkii,
What attitude change would you like to see?
I guess he is referring to the attitude of relying exclusively on technology for so many things that only require a bit of effort and common sense.
Just think about this scenario: You are alone, and you just landed a fish you are not sure you can identify. You go for your phone to turn on the app, but the phone slips out of your hand and falls in the drink. Unless it is waterproof (how many of you fish with WP phones?), how are you going to identify the fish if you rely exclusively on the app?
I totally agree with Burbot on this one - there SHOULD indeed be a Core-type test for fishermen as well. I am really getting sick of seeing so many people on the flow displaying utter ignorance and disregard for fellow anglers and fish. Fishing is NOT a right (unless you are FN), it is a PRIVILEGE, so treat it like one. Or risk losing it one day.
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WA department of fish & wildlife rec fishing website:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/
I prefer using the ID guides there than on the DFO website..more detailed info, better photos, and more species coverage.
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This is good.
Could you post a link to the original source so that I can do the same. While I am now pretty comfortable at the ID business, it's good to be 100% sure and it's would be a useful tool to show others who are less experienced.
Yes, this was off the WA Fish and Wildlife site:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/pac_salmon_id.pdf (http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/pac_salmon_id.pdf) I just saved it iBooks
There is one for spawning phase too.
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Nice and clear, thanks!
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I guess he is referring to the attitude of relying exclusively on technology for so many things that only require a bit of effort and common sense.
Just think about this scenario: You are alone, and you just landed a fish you are not sure you can identify. You go for your phone to turn on the app, but the phone slips out of your hand and falls in the drink. Unless it is waterproof (how many of you fish with WP phones?), how are you going to identify the fish if you rely exclusively on the app?
thats part of it. The other attitude I would like to see changed is "I live therefore I have a right to bonk whatever I want" or the "I bought my license what more do they want"/ "I bought my license so I have free reign". As much as we hate to admit it, those types are still out there. Most people, if they care about the resource will make sure they have brushed up on their ID before they head out.
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I grew up on the coast and identifying salmon from the chuck was second nature from an early age but I well remember seeing a bunch of salmon the natives had caught up near Yale. These fish were in that stage where they had lost their ocean appearance but hadn't developed spawning colours. I had to look two or three times to ascertain the species. In addition, up until that point in my life I seem not to have come across many Chum. So I am sympathetic to newcomers and beginners who have problem identifying a salmon. Faced with a fish flopping on the shore, even for those who have studied the pictures, the book learning gets a bit confused. And we have seen discussion on this site where all the 'experts' didn't agree at first sight of some fish.
It isn't that difficult but identification requires some experience and that takes time for us all.
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Here is an iPhone app I made for beginners: I will put it up on the App Store for download soon...every bit of education helps in the long run. It shows all the species...I will probably add Steelhead.
(http://s1.postimg.org/pr05heby3/Start.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/pr05heby3/)(http://s30.postimg.org/kkbxt08el/chinook.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/kkbxt08el/)
(http://s29.postimg.org/7u25c33bn/coho.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/7u25c33bn/)
(http://s29.postimg.org/5e0by8l8z/pink.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5e0by8l8z/)
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What we need is an app like Shazam, where you snap a pic of your fish and it tells you what it is.
Just found this great idea. I'd add a feature that would take your GPS and tell you the current retention rules.
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But how long do have to juggle a phone and keep the fish in water before the answer?
Good idea but I feel those that can't identify would be prone to dragging the fish up onto the beach to be sure.
And that happens enough already.
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But how long do have to juggle a phone and keep the fish in water before the answer?
About five seconds if my experience last weekend is any indication, where I lost two coho at my feet while fumbling for my phone (I was sure they were coho, but they were both wild and I just wanted a photo). Both fish were just resting at my feet in knee deep water while I tried to fish the phone out of my breast pocket, I had the leader in my hand, and they both just did a last desperate flip and spat the hook and swam away sans photo. I finally managed to get this one to stay long enough to snap the pic.
(http://teacherweb.com/BC/HDStaffordMiddleSchool/Sandquist/stavecoho.jpg)
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I would love a fish id app, even though I have fished for 15 years in BC I still get confused, and if I can't id I don't keep.
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I understand the picture taking part of the equation but I was referring to the additional time aspect of using the app to identify the fish.
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Gotta agree with Burbot and Clarki on this one...
I am all for cool apps, and I don't see a problem with a fish Id app if you are going to use it for occasional review, or whatever as long as you are not trying to ID a fish laying there flapping on the beach/in your boat (!) I have a problem with anglers trying to identify a fish with such an app with a hook in the fishes mouth, or the fish in the net...you get the idea.
It baffles me the % of anglers I run into who can not be bothered to remember the identifying characteristics of only 5 salmon! I introduced a friend to river fishing this summer/fall. The first few times he came out pink fishing he had no idea how to tell what was what, what the limits were, and I was okay with that as he was a newbie and just trying it out. But when he decided he liked it, and went and bought his own gear, I flat out told him you MUST spend as much time as you need with the fish ID pics, memorise it, because if you want to fish with me and my buddies you NEED to know this stuff! And of course when you fish on your own! And while you're at it take note of the diff limits for the rivers we'll be fishing and memorise that too.
Next time we went fishing I was impressed. He had made himself some flash cards with a cut out pic of a salmon on the front, and on the back the "answer" along with a few of the main identifying characteristics for each salmon. He told me to quiz him, and I did, and he knew it all! And this guy only started fishing a few months ago. If he can do it there is no excuse for others.
I agree that, sadly, there should be a CORE like test you need to pass before you can get an angler's license.
As Milo said. Make an effort people! Use some common sense! You had to memorise some stuff to get your driver's license, your boater's license, your post secondary education if you have one, probably some important stuff for your job - how hard is it to memorise some fish ID stuff?! :o
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I don't know how I would survive if I didn't have my trusty app to remind me how to put the toilet seat down for the wife! :P
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I think a handy app to help remind a new angler before they go out fishing or to help a buddy who has tailed a fish in shallow water would be very helpfull. The more information the better, then make it a mandatory test to get your ticket each and every year!
I don't no how I would survive if I didn't have my trusty app to remind me how to put the toilet seat down for the wife! :P
Does she have an app to leave the seat up for you? :)
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Does she have an app to leave the seat up for you? :)
Nope, but thanks for the idea! 8)
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How about you use the app just prior to the start of fishing. If your fishing a specific body of water you should be aware of the species that are present. Than you look at your phone and review the differences in species. Even with the app you should always release when unsure.
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Brilliant idea!
Hey!
We have the internet that you're all reading NOW!
And the info is all here.
And an app will fix it only for those that probably know enough to care and know a head of time, but not enough for those that don't give a fig.
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How about you just turn to the middle page of the regulations booklet?