When anglers practice catch and release the Fishing Hand is an important tool. Fly fishers have been using the Fishing Hand for years. Now catch and release is necessary in steelhead and salmon and even kokanee fisheries, and I am seeing the Fishing Hand not only on float tubes and pontoon boats, but larger fishing boats. Designed to securely grip a fish by its tail, without removing the protective slime and scales, the Fishing Hand is handiest way to comply with current regulations. It is easy to slip on and off, and the attached lanyard gives anglers plenty of each. You can attach it to a vest, float tube or pontoon, and I have even seen it attached to a landing net, so it is always available when you need it. The Fishing Hand was developed by an old friend of mine, author and angler Seth Norman, and it is now available through Jim Teeny. If you can’t find it at your local sporting goods store or fly shop, you will find it at www.jimteeny.com. Releasing wild salmon, steelhead and other species is a fact of life for anglers now, and a Fishing Hand is just as important piece of gear as a knotless net and barbless hooks.