Some nice video work. Just like the Greenback cutthroat which can now be caught throughout waters in the state, there is no ethical issue with catch and release fishing for the Rio Grande cutthroat. As the article you link states, the Rio Grande species has been re-established in Colorado waters for nearly two decades now. Hence, there is no threat to the secured population of the fish from conscientious catch and release fishing.
I wish you would have left out the comment about "spin fisherman," though. I'm a fly fisherman, but I learned to fish on a spin rod in rivers. I'm not sure what makes you think small creeks aren't the proper venue for spin fishermen but lakes are. You don't really specify, but "spin fisherman" could mean what many fly fisherman call "gear fisherman," most often associated with things like casting bait such as worms and powerbait. Not sure what kind of fishing you are poo-pooing, but if it's genuinely "spin fishing," that is, with a "spinner," I don't see the reason for the condemnation or jab.
Spinners weren't originally designed for spin rods because they predate the modern spin rod and reel; one of the spinner's first applications was actually brought into use by innovative fly fisherman who began experimenting with small flashing blades on flies and then migrated to all balsa and metal sans any of the thread, feathers, chenille, lacquer, etc of traditionally tied flies. For a time in the early 20th century, fly fishing a spinner and learning to drift it into a pool was considered an extremely skillful, clever and very sporting method once mastered.
So why bash on "spin fisherman" unless they were violating the regulations, or being jerks by encroaching on your fishing spot? If lures are legal on a water, they're just as legal as flies themselves, and just as ethical. In some ways, lures are more sporting because they do not imitate the trout's food source, but rather depend on the trout's instinctive reaction to reflection and movement. Many studies have been done on the frequency with which trout in the same conditions will hit a spinner versus those that will hit a fly skillfully presented -- the fly is by far the more successful method to induce a strike.
If the spin fisherman you chastised were breaking the regulations of that water, or being disrespectful of the stream, habitat or fish, then certainly they need rebuked. Otherwise, your tone of superiority is really unnecessary and unwarranted, and perpetuates the high horse, elitist, holier than thou reputation of snooty fly fishermen. That kind of divisiveness isn't productive or positive, and it simply creates unnecessary animosity.
Thanks for posting your video. I look forward to more of your content minus the stereotyping and judgy-ness.
