While I appreciate your concern I am not in agreement. First, I do always use a net when possible. Second, scientific studies have shown the trout mortality rate when caught and released averages 2.5%. By far the #1 and #2 causes of death are exhaustion and oxygen depletion. After that are various factors such as using bait, barbed treble hooks, dropping fish, shaking fish, squeezing fish, damage to the internal organs or gills or eyes. These findings have been duplicated numerous time. Never have these studies found skin irritation or slime removal to result in the death of a trout. Some studies have specifically focused on this topic and found no correlation. For example, it has been proven that wetting your hands before handling a fish has zero impact on the trout mortality rate. See Hulbert and Engstrm-Heg (1980), Hegen et al. (1987), and "Hooking Mortality: A Review for Recreational Fisheries" by maurice Muoneke & Michael Childress (1994). Also, I wear gloves to protect my hands. I will never agree that protecting a fish is more important than protecting a person.

Generally yes, but there is only solitude on the middle fork after mid July.

Yes, bear spray is strongly advised out there.