This July, Keep Fish Wet and the AFFTA Fisheries Fund encourages anglers to ask ourselves “do I really need a photo of that fish?” With many places in North America enduring extreme drought and water temperatures much higher than normal, let's give the fish a break during one of the hottest months of the year by keeping them wet and releasing them quickly. As water temperatures rise, fish become more impacted by catch-and-release, which increases the amount of time it takes them to recover and the chance that they will not survive.
Instead, we encourage you to post other artful shots showing what else you love about the angling experience. All month long we will be sharing inspiration for fish-less photography and the science behind what happens to fish as water temperatures rise. Follow along on social media as well as this page to learn about how fish respond when the water starts to get warm, how you can tell if fish are stressed, and to see some beautiful fish-less photography. Tag your non-fish pics on Instagram with #NOFISHDRYJULY and follow @keep.fish.wet to be entered to win some amazing prizes from our Giveaway Sponsors — Ten And Two Co., Patagonia Fly Fish, Bajio Sunglasses, and Fulling Mill.
Here in Montana, it’s clear that while it may not rhyme, we’ll be encouraging “No Fish Dry AUGUST” and “No Fish Dry SEPTEMBER.” [Editor]