Originally posted by: ice cube bob on 7/17/2007 6:30:36 PM

Nice fish Dave, got less than two months to go before there hitting here.

Originally posted by: JustDave on 7/17/2007 9:40:59 AM

Just thought I'd get in the mood for this coming winter. Here are a few of the fish we had the pleasure of communing with.



These fish were on consecutive casts for my son. We managed to land 9 this day in January.


Our buddy Matt and I with a couple nice March fish. And finally, Andrew again with another bruiser.


All these fish were released to be caught another day. The last three were taken on some of my jigs, the first two on small egg clusters.

JustDave

Originally posted by: Beamer on 7/17/2007 7:57:40 PM

Great shots, make me wish it was september already! thanks for sharing
<!--graemlin::)-->Beamer

Originally posted by: JustDave on 7/18/2007 7:03:35 AM

Thanks guys,
We have opportunities year round for Steelhead with our summer runs, but they're just not the same as the heavy winter fish. The three fish Andrew are pictured with are all above 18 lbs. I'd say we landed 15-20 fish in the 15+ range between Jan and April. We'll start fishing for the B-run Idaho bound fish in some of the small cold tribs of the Columbia any time now. When the water temps go up, they duck into the feeders coming off the mountains which are generally 10-20 degrees cooler. The B-runs are huge with many 20+ fish. they must be released to continue their journey. Labor day, we'll start chasing Chinook and Coho, and back to Winter Steelhead around T-giving through April.

JustDave

Originally posted by: Frogfish on 7/18/2007 12:58:14 PM

I'd love to catch steel that big. Most great lakes steel are around 8 lbs...with a few over 15. The record is 29 lbs, but that was a while ago. Every so often, a 20lb steelie is caught.

Man, I wish I lived on the West coast!

Now you have me hungry for the salmon run! I promised myself not to think about that right now <!--graemlin::p-->

Originally posted by: JustDave on 7/18/2007 2:12:52 PM

Frog,
You'll no doubt get out here to fish sooner or later. Most of our hatchery stocks are smaller, but recently the hatcheries have started converting to Brood Stock Program, where one parent is a native. They run bigger, healthier, and return a bit later in the year with the native fish. You should always think about your favorite target and what you can do to improve over last year.

JustDave

Originally posted by: The Salmon Slayer on 10/6/2007 11:02:14 PM

The snow started tonight...Just going through some old post...can not believe I missed this one!! WOW nice fish!! When should I plan my visit?


Nice steelhead!! TSS

Originally posted by: JustDave on 10/9/2007 6:50:51 PM

Slayer,
We'll be fishing Chinook until December when our transition to Steelhead takes place. Hatchery Steel in early Dec, with the big natives (C+R) starting to show in Jan through the end of March. Come down any time, we'll get into something.
JustDave

Originally posted by: I should be fishin' on 11/5/2007 6:33:43 AM

Sweeeet!

Originally posted by: panfisherteen on 11/5/2007 1:06:51 PM

quote:

I'd love to catch steel that big. Most great lakes steel are around 8 lbs...with a few over 15. The record is 29 lbs,

Originally posted by: Frogfish on 11/5/2007 1:55:23 PM

Wow! The MI record is 29lbs...40 is amazing! Was it actually a stocker rainbow or true steelhead?

Originally posted by: panfisherteen on 11/5/2007 4:19:11 PM

it was one that escaped from a fish farm <!--graemlin::rolleyes:-->still,its technically a steelhead,although it was asexual,so instaed of waisting time spawning,it ate <!--graemlin::eek:-->
http://www.ontarioanglerawards.com/Entry/Details.cfm?EntryID=5318
thats it there

Originally posted by: Frogfish on 11/5/2007 7:19:10 PM

Awww, it wasn't wild...One fat mutant trout!

Originally posted by: panfisherteen on 11/5/2007 8:16:20 PM

still a trout <!--graemlin::rolleyes:-->