Seems to me that there is two distinct sizes of brats....one about half the size of the other. I know there are many exceptions to this statement, however it seems that most of the fish I have seen/caught that are hatchery fish are either 5/6 lbs or 10/12 lbs. Are these fish the same age or has one set stayed out an extra year? Anyone know?

2-salts and 3-salts.

That what I figured....thanks.

Now, do you figure they were from the same release? I am trying to figure out whether or not fish decide on their own whether to stay out 2 or 3 (or more) years, or if it is controlled by release timing. If it is a release timing thing, then does that mean that the brats are released in the same river at more than one time during the year?

Ummmmm.............now you're making me head hurt.

I think they'd have to be mixed plants........2-salt returners from the '02 plant, and 3-salt returners from the '01 plant. I'm not positive, but I think they leave this decision up to the fish.

What you are seeing are two classes of fish. The smaller is a 2-salt fish from the 2002 class, the larger a 3-salt from the 2001 class. The 3-salt fish could be on its second spawning run.

10 lbs for a 3-salt is fairly large on average for that age of fish. A 4-salt would probably be considerably larger than that, so I would guess that 3-salt is about right.

As far as release timing - I'm not sure I understand. I don't think that holding steelhead smolts longer before release affects future run timing, but I really don't know. Blackmouth are Chinook salmon held longer until allowed to smolt, but I don't know what happens if you were to hold steelhead longer. Steelhead smolts spend a few weeks to months in the river before heading out anyway.

Steve

All of our steelhed go out in the spring with the peak out migration occurring in mid May. The release of the hatchery fish is essentially the same as that of the wild steelhead.

Whether a fish come backs as a 2 or 3 salt is basically controlled by the genetics of the population. Typically for the Chamber's Creek stock we see about 15% 3s and 85% 2s from a given release. Many of the wild populations have a much higher portion of 3 salts.

The size of the fish is influenced by the feeding conditions they find in the ocean. While the 5 to 6# size is typical they can vary quite a bit. A remember a period in the mid-late 1970s when the 2 salts averaged about 8# and show fish as large as 11 pounds. At times they can be small as well (3 to 5#).

Happy Holidays and may the New Year bring you tight lines
S malma

Thanks Smalma!

I thought "brats" by definition are your classic cookie cutter 2-salt hatchery dink.

Would that make the 3-salt variety mega-brats?

Brats on 'roids

With mustard, kraut, on a sesame bun....... I'm hungry now!

Robert