What it's all about

[Drewp]

Just to clear up any misconceptions, the rule says for freshwater that, “It is unlawful to totally remove salmon, steelhead, or Dolly Varden/Bull trout from the water if it is unlawful to retain those fish, or if the angler subsequently releases the salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden, or bull trout.”

None of those pictures showed the fish completely out of the water and the angler was obviously being careful with those fish.

Contrary to popular belief, steelhead, particularly in cold winter waters are extremely rugged and can survive a lot more trama than one would think. I've seen steelhead with huge gashes, missing gills and deformed jaws that were still on their way to do their spawning thing. I'm not saying that you shouldn't still be careful with these fish, but a picture and release is definitely in order.

Extremely nice fish D! Don't the let the haters bring you down...some people are just a little frustrated that they can't catch steelhead. I know the feeling... haha! :albino:

[A9]

None of those pictures showed the fish completely out of the water and the angler was obviously being careful with those fish.

The ones that showed them outta the water were deleted....

No hatchery fish still swimming around derrick?

[skeeter bassin]

Derrick-K great job on the Steelies. Definitely one of those once in a lifetime experiences. You are obviously an expereinced river angler and know what you are doing. I have no doubts you treated all those fish carefully and returned them to the water safely (yes I did see all the pix).

We don't get many opportunitys to legitimately brag about ourselves these days. I applaud you for taking that opportunity and tastefully doing so when you got the chance. Even more, I applaud you for your handling of this situation when so called adults attempted to pull you under the carpet.

Great job on the Steelies, thanks for posting pictures of your wonderful experience for all of us to share, and congrats on taking the high road.

[Derrick-k]

Yea I will defiantly never forget that day.

I think my dad said that this is the most bright fish he has ever seen in such low water conditions.

When my dad told me he had once seen big natives in the Green like this it reminded me about why we release native steelhead.

As far as hatcheries they where pretty much all spawners accept 1 he's in the smoker right now.

Thanks for the kind words guys!:colors:

[Marc Martyn]

None of those pictures showed the fish completely out of the water and the angler was obviously being careful with those fish.

The ones that showed them outta the water were deleted....

No hatchery fish still swimming around derrick?

What pictures with the fish out of the water? I never saw any.

[A9]

None of those pictures showed the fish completely out of the water and the angler was obviously being careful with those fish.

The ones that showed them outta the water were deleted....

No hatchery fish still swimming around derrick?

What pictures with the fish out of the water? I never saw any.

They were removed...No biggie, issue over

[panfisher]

still beating a dead horse!!!!!

[Marc Martyn]

Sam, I was being facetious.o:) Just poking you in the ribs.:thumright

[A9]

My knack for detecting sarcasm on the internet just isn't there...

[KurtO]

Very nice indeed. That is actually rare now to catch so many wild steelies in one trip. Congrats man.

[Fisherman_max]

i am sure derrikk will tell ya the huge difference from a native and a hatchery bite, hatchery fish kind of gum your roe(if you are using it) but a native will blow it up and you KNOW when you have a native on, its a fish of a lifetime.

[Derrick-k]

Max, for natives it depends on how fresh the fish are. We didn't have rain for a while so the fish where probably in the river almost a week, so the fish where hungry. Hatcheries are a little finicky for some reason. But when you hook a native you know its a native and you will usually get 1 or 2 jumps.

Has anyone else noticed that hatcheries tend to be smaller then natives?

Also has anyone noticed hatcheries get dark quicker then natives? (Thats happened to me a couple times)

[A9]

Max, for natives it depends on how fresh the fish are. We didn't have rain for a while so the fish where probably in the river almost a week, so the fish where hungry. Hatcheries are a little finicky for some reason. But when you hook a native you know its a native and you will usually get 1 or 2 jumps.

Has anyone else noticed that hatcheries tend to be smaller then natives?

Also has anyone noticed hatcheries get dark quicker then natives? (Thats happened to me a couple times)

Most hatchery produced fish (not triploid trout) never achieve a huge size as any wild fish might. It's rare to hear hatchery steelhead in excess of 20 lbs and hatchery salmon usually don't get to the size of some wild fish....

[Derrick-k]

Its rare for a native steelhead to get to 20lbs.

[fishingmachine]

those are some very nice fish there derick i would hjave been so happy to have a day like u on the water.
I have a question for everyone has anyone seen or caught any natives this year out of the snoqualmie river.

[A9]

those are some very nice fish there derick i would hjave been so happy to have a day like u on the water.
I have a question for everyone has anyone seen or caught any natives this year out of the snoqualmie river.

Natives are in there right now....

[fishingmachine]

sam have u had any luck out there cause i was wondering if u could give me some tips on where to find them

[A9]

sam have u had any luck out there cause i was wondering if u could give me some tips on where to find them

I haven't been out once for them. Call 3 rivers marine or go to their store and they will set you up with the gear and will give you some spots to find them...

[fishingmachine]

thanks sam i will definatly have to do that

[fish4brains]

Most hatchery produced fish (not triploid trout) never achieve a huge size as any wild fish might. It's rare to hear hatchery steelhead in excess of 20 lbs and hatchery salmon usually don't get to the size of some wild fish....

You must have never fished the Clearwater river where hatch. fish over 20 are fairly common. They had a 40+ pounder show up at the hatchery in Orofino this year. They took it down river 40 miles and released it hoping someone would catch it and break the record but a few days later it showed back up.