Every angler’s done it. You land a fish, hold it high, grin at the camera, and snap a quick photo for Instagram glory. But this July, Keep Fish Wet is asking you to leave the fish in the water and the camera in your pack.
The nonprofit, known for championing science-based best practices for catch-and-release fishing, has kicked off its fifth annual No Fish Dry July. The idea is as straightforward as it gets:
Don’t take fish out of the water for photos. Not for a hero shot. Not even if it’s the fish of your life.
Why Skip the Photo Op?
“Now, more than ever, we need anglers to step up and be active participants in fish conservation,” Sascha Clark Danylchuk, executive director of Keep Fish Wet, said, reinforcing the campaign.
It’s not about spoiling your fun. It’s about giving fish a fighting chance when the water gets hot.
When temperatures climb in July, fish face real physiological stress, especially coldwater species. That stress ramps up every second they spend out of the water. According to Keep Fish Wet, even brief air exposure increases recovery time and mortality rates after release.
What You Can Do
The premise is simple. For the entire month of July, skip the fish photos. Instead, Keep Fish Wet wants you to share everything else you love about fishing. That could be river landscapes, your dog waiting patiently on the bank, or the fly that finally worked.
They’re sweetening the deal with a giveaway. Post your fish-less photos on Instagram with the hashtags #NoFishDryJuly and #KeepFishWet for a chance to win a “prized pack of fishing goodies.”
A Different Kind of Trophy
Let’s be honest: Most fish photos end up buried in your feed or collecting dust in your phone’s camera roll. For one month, try measuring success in a different way. Release your catch without the photo op. Take pride in the fact that you’re helping that fish swim off strong.
Keep Fish Wet will share tips throughout the month on how to spot heat-stressed fish, how to handle them quickly, and why skipping the photos can make a lasting difference for years to come.
Learn More
If you’re curious about the science behind all this or you need a little extra motivation to keep your phone in your pocket, head over to keepfishwet.org.
Fish deserve a break. This July, give it to them.
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