I've caught hatchery summer fish to 18+ lbs but the most amazing hatchery fish event I've ever witnessed was on the cowlitz in winter back around 1990.

We were free-drifting blue creek in my friends dad's sled. There were 4 of us in the boat; Me and my friend and his dad and a business partner. It was the business partner's 1st ever steelhead trip. So, what does he do? Catches BACK TO BACK 20 1/2LB. AND 21 1/2LB HATCHERY WINTER RUNS!

Of course, his reply was "what's the big deal?...this is easy!" And he was serious!

We about died.

Haven't seen that since.