assalyanizim ... this day in age with a number of the region's best taxidermists offering top-notch reproductions for wild steelhead, the old phrase of "But I'm gonna mount it" doesn't cut it as an excuse to harvest one. In fact, it's all the more reason it should have been let go in my book. See that fish up top on the page ... a gorgeous 43" buck that swam away, yet still made a magnificent coffee table mount.
Yes, I have one steelie on the wall that I had mounted about ten years ago. Had I known then that reproductions would become common in future years ... I would have let that fish go as well. There is no longer the need to harvest a wild steelhead to get that mount that many anglers wish to have.
MB ... As I mentioned, sometimes not matter what you do, there are going to be instances where no matter how careful you are, things aren't going to go the fish's way. But some things anglers can do to help limit mortality:
Ahead of time, your gear ...
1) Fish with selective gear types. No bait, no barbs. Only thing I see in everyday use that I would do when rules allow would be to run a single barbless treble on plugs rather than a large siwash. In my observations, there seems to be less damage.
2) If you fish bait, use it wisely. No divers, no tiny baits, no tiny hooks, no double hook rigs.
3) No light lining, keep drags firm.
While fishing ...
1) Set the hook promptly on all strikes, no "feeding" the fish or waiting for lots of weight.
2) Anything drfited from a MOVING boat should be behind the boat ... this allows hookset to be instant. Offerings in front of MOVING boat mean line goes slack on bite and often is no different than running a diver.
3) Avoid "spawner" water. Know your water and avoid areas where post spawn fish stack up. I know of a number of guides who like to beat on these fish to pad numbers. However, these fish will be actively feeding again and often swallow whatever you put in front of them. These are some of our most important members of a steelhead population ... with the average repeat female being 30% more fecund than a first-time spawner.
4) Avoid actively spawning fish and do not drag anchor to slow your drift. You should either have anchor all the way up, or firmly planted. And not only in late steelhead season, remember that you're often going through salmon spawning areas in early steelhead season and those beds should be respected as well.
Playing your fish ...
1) As I mentioned, no light lines, firm drags.
2) If you see any blood during fight, row to fish and end it ASAP.
3) Look for your landing spots before the moment arrives.
4) In rivers such as the 'Duc or other streams w/o any gravel, consider the use of C&R net (lots of threads on these). Ends fight quicker, avoids flopping around big rocks along edges that are common on our streams.
5) Remove hook when possible ... don't pull the brab leader and snap it off trick that I seem to see more often. If hooked deeply, cut it off.
6) Have partner get camera out while you're playing fish if you want a picture ... don't wait until the very moment of the picture.
After fish landed ...
1) No fish in boat, period! I'd guess that even with an expereinced angler, about 1 in five squirms from grip sometime during a picture session ... let them land harmlessly in the water, not in the bottom of a boat!
2) See 6 above ... do not sit there with fish out of water while you fumble for / turn on cameras. If you want a pic, plan ahead! Treat fish out of water as you'd like to be treated underwater ... not very long!
3) Don't move fish back and forth in current to revive ... hold head upstream and that's it. If you did well on everything above, there should be little / no reviving necessary.
4) If you do need to let the fish regain it's balance, do it in clean water ... if you muddied some up, move the fish into cleaner water.
While I'm sure I missed some ... there's some quick thoughts from me
Previous Topic
Index
