It is very important to stabilize a large trout you return to the stream so he will survive. With my left hand under his chin and my right hand holding firmly in the narrow area in front of his tail I face him into a gentle current in water from one to three feet deep. I hold him gently in this position assuring that he is in a natural perpendicular posture. Gradually I release my grip with my right hand in order to be sure he can maintain his balance: If he tips over slightly I gently tighten the grip with my right hand and hold him upright for two or three more minutes, then gently release the grip with my right hand again. Once he can maintain his balance I gently remove my left hand and slowly step back away from him. When this is done properly he will hold his position until he regains his strength then he’ll slowly swim away. Do not attempt this in very fast nor deep water because the trout may lunge away from you and you cannot recover him to stabilize him properly: This trout may not recover.
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