1. **Handle with Care**: Always wet your hands before touching the fish to protect its slime coating. Avoid using a net with a rough surface, as this can damage the fish's skin.
2. **Minimize Air Exposure**: Try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible during the unhooking process. If you must remove it from the water, do so for the shortest time possible.
3. **Positioning**: Hold the fish upright in the water, facing into the current if possible. This allows water to flow over its gills, helping it to breathe.
4. **Gentle Movement**: Move the fish gently back and forth in the water. This mimics the natural swimming motion and helps water flow through the gills.
5. **Monitor for Recovery**: Keep an eye on the fish. If it starts to struggle or is not regaining strength after a minute or two, continue the gentle movement until you feel it is ready to swim away.
6. **Release When Ready**: Once the fish shows signs of recovery, such as swimming away on its own, it is time to release it. Never force a fish to swim away if it is not ready, as this can cause stress or injury.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that the fish you catch can thrive after being released back into its environment. Remember, the goal of catch and release is to minimize stress and maximize survival rates for fish populations. Happy fishing!
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