[Capt. Lou]

Trout are very fragile if they are played out , I've landed numerous of big stream trout & try not to take the fish out of water ! I do not beach big trout unless I'm forced to by location. Usually wade in mid thigh & swim fish to my boots , seems to calm them . I support them under belly & extract hook if possible with my hand or hemo if required . I strictly fish lures so,many may have trebles which I crimp down barbs to facilitate de hooking .
Generally the fishes head only may be out of water while extracting hook but for short time only thus he can breathe again qiuickly.
Once hook,out hold him against boot leg until,he wants to go , I try to,swim them into slow water so they can further rest .
Last fall had a big bow stay near my boots for at leasst couple minutes before swimming back out into riff.
Also with the correct UL tackle U can best big fish quickly if u learn how . I use nothing but 3 or 4 lb line & can beat most fish as quickly as with heavier tackle, probably quicker due to the taper / length of my rods !
I've only had to keep a handful of these big girls due to very deeply hooked or simply fought so hard they could not be brought back .
It happens I've had couple of 8# plus bows actually beach themselves .
I fish trout hard well over 100 days per year in search of big girls U just never know when the one strikes , it's really exciting since it's not really a strike but they just engulf a lure much like a tarpon ! They deserve to live & handling correctly can insure this for perhaps another angler to enjoy.