I an understand the ripped lips of your pulling a fish up with its entire body weight pulling down. Especially with the soft mouthed fish like steelhead. However I believe that if you support the body with your other hand it takes quite a bit of pressure off the mouth. Just as a side tip that if your releasing fish wet your hand before touching a fish to ensure there slime coating stays on them. Losing that raises the chances of death. I truly love these fish and the more that are released successfully means that more come back next year. Good luck guys.