Another Day at Work

[Danny J Brown]

A snapshot from this morning of my summer crew of college students with their first hoopnet catch of flathead catfish on the Missouri River. All are recent graduates or currently studying fisheries biology. And yes, we measure, weigh, and tag these aquatic critters to obtain information that will help us to protect them from overharvest but no worries on one of them attacking a fisherman after they wake up!:) These two flatheads, a 58 pounder and a 55 pounder, came from the same hoopnet, which you can see in the photo. Think of a hoopnet as a giant flytrap that a fish can enter but cannot find a way out.

Taken with a Canon Powershot that has been in my boat for at least four years so please overlook.......well just about every aspect of the photo, except for the subjects.

[Mike Fuhr]

Nice looking fish Danny, and a nice way to start the sampling!:)

[Harshad Barve]

Nice looking fish Dannybhai and happy group too
TFS

[Alfred Forns]

Danny are those the same they catch by hand? Nice fish !!!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Wow that is some big catfish Danny and what interesting work you are involved in. Thanks for all the background info and for this great image. :) Looking forward to seeing more.

[Danny J Brown]

Danny are those the same they catch by hand? Nice fish !!!

Yes, the flathead catfish is the most popular fish captured by hand grabbing, which is illegal in Missouri. During the spawning season grabbers reach in logs, hollows or manmade structures to remove the fish, which is guarding the nest....a controversial technique. Grabbing is also called noodling or grabbling. It is legal in some states such as Oklahoma and Mississippi.

DB

[Mike Fuhr]

Yes, the flathead catfish is the most popular fish captured by hand grabbing, which is illegal in Missouri. During the spawning season grabbers reach in logs, hollows or manmade structures to remove the fish, which is guarding the nest....a controversial technique. Grabbing is also called noodling or grabbling. It is legal in some states such as Oklahoma and Mississippi.

DB

Here in OK this weekend is the noodling festival where people from across the state compete for the biggest fish. Personally, I think they are crazy considering the fact that there are alligator snapping turtles lurking in the same places as the cats!!:eek:

[Fabs Forns]

This is neat, Danny. Those look awfully big to me :eek: