The Fishing Corner

By Larry Dublanko

To say that steelhead fishing has taken a turn would be an understatement. We have arrived at that time in our season when many things occur simultaneously. These all center around the sport of steelheading.

First of all, we are ending the opportunity to fish for steelhead in a legal sense. The season is closing for many of our rivers. This has already occurred in many places at the end of February. Now, a few more rivers will be closing on March 15th. Many more will close on March 31st. Next, the rivers will start being occupied with more wild steelhead than hatchery fish. Anglers will need to prepare for this scenario and release these wild fish.

Thirdly, the rivers which remain open at this time will more than likely be impacted by the prohibition of internal combustion motors. This ruling is usually accompanied by the Selective Gear Rule as well. This rule requires that only unscented artificial flies or lures with one single-point, barbless hook are allowed. Bait is prohibited and fish may be released until the daily limit is retained. This measure requires anglers to use knotless nets except where specifically allowed under Special Rules for individual waters. If, however, any fish has swallowed the hook or is hooked in the gill, eye, or tongue, it should be kept if legal to do so.

It definitely means we have entered the time frame when protective measures are in place to care for fish that are about to spawn whether wild or hatchery. This opens the discussion on when a steelhead becomes a wild fish. If hatchery steelhead spawn under natural circumstances then their offspring would become a wild fish. They will be unmarked and fall under the same protective measures of native fish. The question as to whether any native steelhead actually exists anywhere is an interesting subject. Probably the major distinguishing characteristics would be their size since there would not be any other external features that would set them apart from the wild fish variety.

So, anglers fishing at this time of the year can likely hook one of these bigger steelhead. They will definitely give the fisher a battle. Every skill learned will have to be employed to land these monster steelhead. They can tail walk and with the quick jerk of their head break line. They have also been known to use logs and submerged rocks as abrasives to cut line. These techniques, I am sure have been learned in advanced “fish school.” Never the less, anglers have their hands full dealing with wild fish, native or otherwise.

The thrill of sport fishing is not necessarily in the retention of any fish caught. It is more in the battle between nature and human effort. When it comes to battling big steelhead, the score often racks up in favor of the fish. This test of wills and skill is why many people fish at all. The preservation of this sport should be on the minds of every fisherman.