FishYourDream.com Gotland report, 2008-2009

A late fishing report.
Here are some reflections on the passed Sea trout fishing season on Gotland.
During spring 2009 we saw a great increase in visiting anglers compared to last year, probably a result of my own marketing, some fishing blogs and a great focus on Gotland fishing by sportfishing media. Several national and international magazines and TV shows has visited us during last season.

Increased fishing pressure means we need to carefully monitor the populations of trout, and in my opinion create more clear rules for the coastal fishing and also to inform better. I am speaking to the local authorities on the matter. The same authorities that FishYourDream.com works with on a tagging project in selected spawning streams. Recaptures has been reported on FishYourDream.com and I want to thank everyone who has contributed with their recapture data, it really helps. The rate of reporting  recaptures was surprisingly good, 14,3% of all the tagged fish. Reports are both from sportfishermen and net fishermen. Unfortunately more than 50% of the recaptured fish was killed, nothing wrong with bringing a fish home for dinner but these fish obviously spawned last fall and we know that the trout normally spawn some years in a row and have good genes. In addition to this a spring trout that spawned last fall is not as good eating as a silver colored fat trout… But on the other hand this silver trout is about to spawn next fall, leading this to a dead end discussion.

A hint is to kill the trout that has the fat fin cut off, a telltale sign that the fish is grown in a tank. In Sweden rules are that fish raised by humans need to have this fin removed for identification. We dont grow them on Gotland but fish don´t know about borders. Especially when they have no "home stream". These fish have nothing to do in our rivers and streams since they degenerate the much adapted gene pool of our Gotland trout. But they taste just as good…

This summer’s rains (Gotland had the most hours of sun in Sweden anyway!) has been good for the trout fry in the streams, this should give us some good years. While checking one of the streams we also found young Steelheads. I suspect the high water levels helped this unwelcome species to survive the normally so dry summer.  Hopefully there are not too many survivors anyway.

FishYourDream.com has made some interesting experiments and trips, like test fishing in nature reserve Stora Karlsö and grayling fishing in Slovenia. During the past season some new nationalities visited us for fishing, to mention a few, China, New Zeeland and Australia. Finally, thanks to all our guests and partners, and a special thanks to all of you who have contributed with beautiful photos. See you on the bank, waders on!

Regards/
Per Jobs 090826