If you like to look at fish pictures...

[MuskieBait]

@OT - not yet...one day I do wish to have time to compile a book detailing my fishing adventures...for now it's simply in blog format. At the end portion of the book, I may organize a section in the form of this species list.

@shawarma - I negotiate with them...the more cooperative they are, the quickly I can take my picture and release them. Failing a peaceful negotiation, I threaten with with the fillet knife if they still resist.

Nah, after a while, you get the hang of it. Before I even take the fish out of the water, I would have already identified a location that does the least damage to the fish if it thrash. I would also have already identified the position of the sun such that the fish will have the least amount of shadows and the best possible lighting situation, and I stand in a location where my shadow will not be cast over the fish. If at all possible, I would have already taken out the camera, switched it on, put it in the right flash and/or macro mode and have it in hand before taking the fish out. Then I quickly unhook the fish (or cut the line), place the fish on the ground or surface, hold the fish with one hand while I frame the shot with the other hand, and only remove my hand when everything is ready. This way, the fish tends to thrash less. When they are still full of energy, they also tend to spread their fins more often. Sometimes I can poke them gently in the back to induce them to spread their fins.

Usually, I can get a few shots within 30 seconds. If the fish are more delicate, I usually rest the fish and let them recover a bit in the water before take a few more shots. Most of my fish recovers quickly and are released without issues. Minnows, however, are especially delicate...which is why I tend to use those micro photo tanks now for the smaller species.