went out to the Snoqualmie this morning. windy and snow flurries. after yesterdays 10lb Coho, I was excited to try my luck again. First cast and... Bobber down! This guy fought hard. jumps and runs it was fun! got it into shallow water and saw all the fins intact. so I figured it was a native so I eventually got the hook out - after hooking/cutting my finger pretty good. (I've learned to bring bandages)
The fish was 24" and not skinny. I let it go and that was that. Until a minute later another fisheman arrived asked if the dorsal fin was rounded or angular. I said it was more or less triangle shaped. He said It was a hatchery fish. The adipose fin was intact. So did I catch a native or hatchery?

two Steelhead my first year!

there were about 7 people fishing and I didn't see any other fish caught over the next two hours.

BentRod

2/10/2014 2:16:00 PM

Congratulations again! If it had an adipose then it was native. You're on a roll. Too bad the river is about to close!

yesler

2/10/2014 3:34:00 PM

If you see a fin you have a native. A clipped fin would maybe leave a bump where it healed at best. If you saw a shape at all it was wild.
Congrats on landed it you did the right thing.

kingroobes

2/10/2014 6:06:00 PM

Sometimes at the hatcheries they don't always get a clean clip or a "missclip". I believe if there is evidence that the adipose fin has been at least partially clipped it is a hatchery fish although Im not certain with the regs. From your description it sounds like it was probably a missclip hatchery fish.

Ryno724

2/10/2014 7:12:00 PM

A partially clipped adipose fin though the fish may actually be a hatchery fish is still considered by the department of fish and wildlife to be a wild fish. If there is anything more than a rounded bump like any size actual fin its a native. Congrats on the catch though and food job using rule of thumb when your not sure. No fish that could be illegal is worth keeping. If you want to pay for a fish it's much cheaper to go to the store than to pay for a big fine or worse. Congrats again keep it up and you will catch one you can call dinner.

Realfisherman

2/10/2014 7:32:00 PM

Brian congrats Your a quick study. Happy to see you get another fish. Well deserved.

Picture me trollin'

2/10/2014 9:01:00 PM

You probably did the right thing when it comes to ESA listed species it's not worth the fine ,although I only saw two game officers all season long (they don't seem to have the funds to cover the territory they used to) it's reward enough to help to ensure the protection of our native species

LTrain

2/11/2014 12:09:00 AM

I met the local game warden my last time out not he snoqualmie, very nice guy, was checking lthe area under the bridge at Fall City. Talked to him about 10 min on tips and holes before he checked our licenses. My local fishing buddies in the area said the steroids bring them out.

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