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The Skagit River open for catch and release, why?

In Washington by steelheaders

  Recently a few of our members raised some questions and concerns about opening a spring catch-and-release (C&R) fishery on the Skagit River. Their primary concern was to protect the healthiest remaining wild steelhead run in Puget Sound — meaning there should be no C&R season — to prevent another population collapse like the one that resulted in the closure …

Oooh-Ooh, That Smell…

In Washington by steelheaders

By Bill Herzog Can’t you smell that smell? It starts with the first real spring day, usually in early March. It rises to a crescendo in mid April, when hard rains or even a trip to midtown cannot dampen the olfactory onslaught. I’m talking about the tree bloom scent from alder, cottonwood, just the wild flowers in general that produce …

News flash: “Jailed hatchery steelhead released after being held captive for two years! Anglers rejoice!”

In Oregon by steelheaders

By: Rob Masonis That was essentially the message spread by various Puget Sound media outlets this week when the federal government allowed the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to release fish from several steelhead hatcheries after two years. The hold-up had been, until last week, the hatcheries had not received permits establishing they did not jeopardize wild steelhead protected …

What “once was” may still come for steelheaders

In Oregon by steelheaders

As steelheaders, we’re all familiar with conventional wisdom about steelhead fishing.   The fishing isn’t what it used to be.   You should have been here 50 years ago.   Stories of huge fish and numerous multiple fish days, of fishing places that no one else had fished for weeks, or months. Tales of what once was, all centering around …