I kept a note book of my steelhead adventures from 12/1/03 to 4/4/04.The final numbers are in,keep in mind that I'm a weekend warrior for the most part with a wife and two daughters.I'm pretty fortunate to be able to fish as much as I do.This winter run season I hooked 50 landed 44 out of 27 trips.The hook to land ratio of 88% is great but the number of hook up's per trips wasn't as good as in the past years.Over all I think it was a great season with some nice large steelies landed.Well good luck,and it's off to Florida for a week for spring break, then back in time for "SPRINGERS".Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Yah,I don't keep track of my bites.Lord knows how many that would have been.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I'm incompetent.

I fished almost every weekend (Sat and Sunday) from early December through end of February, plus a few days off here and there.

I hooked about 20-23, landed and kept 2, released about 5 (they were snagged or were boots), and lost the others (threw the hook, broke the line, etc.).

Mostly, the low numbers of punches on my card was due to my incompetence...

Let me count................... Lets just say, A WHOLE BUNCH!!!! I didnt keep track. All I know is I fished a lot due to being unemployed and fishing whenever I wanted.

The best thing about this season is I caught fish in every stream I fished. And there were a few days when I got into the double digits on fish.

I didnt get into any big fish this year though. Most years I manage at least 1 15lb plus steelie I didnt even break the 12lb mark this time.

All in all it was a fantastic winter steelhead season for me. I was fortunate enough to fish way more than anyone should be allowed to. Being on the water that many days allowed me to try some new techniques. About the only thing I figured out by trying new things is if you stick to what you know works, you will catch moref fish!! And there are no magic lures or techniques, Nothing will out fish drift gear and bait.

Now its time to start thinking about Summer runs! Ive already got 2 while targeting winter nates. I hope I have a good season on them too.

SZ,

You're far too modest; and that quote just might be the understatement of the year so far. But, no doubt they're just as fortunate to have you as their provider. Hope they like fish.

Count your blessings,
M

P.S.
Impressive figures but still seems like no matter how I work the numbers they still only add up to 3.

Willie rower,
My five largest steelhead this season went something like this.
#1 22.5lb native buck (green river) 2/13/04
#2 18.5lb broodstock hen (notellin river)3/6/04
#3 18lb broodstock hen (same notellin river)
2/8/04
#4 17.5lb native buck (One of the Q rivers)
4/4/04
#5 16.5lb Hatchery buck (West of the notellin river) 12/21/03
Several in the 12lb to 14lb range.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Strike zone,

First off, congrats on your steelhead season! Sounds like it was a great year for you. You mentioned a hook to land ratio of 88%. Is that a typo? If not, would you mind sharing your secret(i.e. lures, hooks, techniques)? If I can get even 1/2 that ratio I'd be a happy camper. Thanks.

Geez...
I felt pretty luck batting 50% plugs and drift gear. 88%??? Whew!

Strike Zone,

You're a weekend warrior with a wife and two children yet still managed to fish 27 trips in a four month stretch (36 weekend days). You also managed to land 88% of your hookups. These numbers are more difficult to believe than the 33# Buck caught on the upper Hoh.

88% C'mon lets keep it real!!!

If that is a true statement I want to know how you fish, and what hooks you use?

44 landed out of 50?

Unrealistic IMO!!!!

18 Natives landed for 3 trips (6-days of fishing).

I am finally getting productive, now that my time on the river is so limited!

I used to be happy with 3 fish for 18 days of fishing.

I only caught 2 all year but 1 was 37" I need to get out more.

Number one there was a couple three day weekend adventures,and a friday here and there.Number two we have eight acres in montesano that we have our travel trailer set up on.This really helps out the amount I get to fish because it's my wifes side of the family that owns it.That means my father in-law can watch me to make sure I've been a good boy.
As far as the landing ratio it's called double pumping the hook set / Single gammi hook's and owner trebles on the plug's.Most importantly being on top of your game during the battle and not doing something to screw up the landing.

Are you including take-downson plugs in your ratio?
I find it unbelievable that a steelie can even swim within feet of a plug and not get hooked up, let alone swat at it and continue on unscathed!
I count take-downs in my calculation, if anyone cares...

Bites on bait and take downs on plug's don't count.Those are just that ,a bite or take down.
Hooked to me mean's atleast a head shake or two felt on the end of the rod of choice.This post wasn't set up to brag or boost my ego,but to just see how the season ended up in general for everyone else.It did start out a little shakey but came on strong.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

P.S. These numbers don't happen to often for anyone,I feel very blessed with the steelhead season that I got to experience.Next year will most likely be a little different.

I wonder what his numbers would have been if he'd been fishing the upper Rogue River. Lastest winter run fish count posted today:

(The counter is in Goldrae dam about 5 miles north of Medford, Or)

3-25-2004 ..... 15,414
In hatchery .... 1,967

Polish math, but subtracting one from the other leaves the fish count at about 450 per river mile (Goldrae to the Hatchery). Weather is partly cloudy, temps in high 60's to low 70's. River's a tad high for fly fishing, but running gin clear from top to bottom.

88%??? Were you fishing or NETTING?