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An update on the Skagit steelhead fishery and implications for the Olympic Peninsula

In Steelhead Files, Uncategorized, Washington by Kyle Smith

By John McMillan Although winter steelhead season has begun, between the rain and snow those of us living in Washington haven’t had much of a chance to hit the rivers. That is by definition winter steelheading, however, and we wouldn’t love it so much if the weather and river flows were perfect all the time. Whether drifting or banking it, …

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Science Friday- What Have We Lost?

In Columbia River, Oregon, Science Friday, Steelhead Files by Kyle Smith

Imagine going back in time 100 years to the Columbia River. What do you think the steelhead looked like then? How long were they? How much did they weigh?   In the early 1900s scientists working with the federal Bureau of Fisheries visited the Columbia River, which was considered the center of steelhead abundance for the Lower 48 – and frankly, …

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Remembering Russell Chatham

In California, Steelhead Files by Kyle Smith

  Renowned landscape painter, writer and fly fisherman Russell Chatham passed away on November 10 at the age of 80.   I never knew Chatham, but his book The Anglers Coast and the film Rivers of a Lost Coast – in which he is a main character – are gospel to northern California fly anglers. He was our prophet, spreading …

Throwback Thursday- Voluntary Beatdown Part I

In Alaska, Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

This post is part of our Throwback Thursday series and originally appeared on the now deceased blog “Voluntary Beatdown.”  Author Jason Koertge can be found on Instagram at @bacon_to_fry.  Thanks to Jason for letting WSU revive your epic work as one of the best fishing experience writers we’ve had the pleasure of reading. RIP VB.       take any …

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Businesses We Love: Royal Treatment Fly Fishing

In Oregon, Steelhead Files by steelheaders

Located just outside Portland and a stone’s throw from the Willamette River in West Linn, OR, Royal Treatment Fly Shop offers a comprehensive inventory of fly fishing equipment from top brands, and serves as a community center for conservation-minded anglers from across the Portland metro area. Named after a steelhead fly that owner Joel La Follette dreamed up on the …

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Throwback Thursday- A Friendly Reminder: Hatchery Steelhead Are Tasty

In Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

With summer just around the corner, the Wild Steelheaders crew is feeling a bit nostalgic.  Winter rods are packed up and summer steelhead are a ways away, and we’ve been finding ourselves daydreaming of tiny flies, drylines, baseball games, cherry pie, and some of the internet’s most prolific fishy blog posts.  In the spirit of days gone by, we’re kicking …

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In Support of a Hatchery Steelhead Program in the Upper Willamette

In Oregon, Steelhead Files by steelheaders

  By Dean Finnerty, Wild Steelhead Initiative Director Trout Unlimited’s Wild Steelhead Initiative is all about increasing populations of wild steelhead across their native range. Why should we care so much about wild steelhead? There are several reasons, among them the fact that wild steelhead cost nothing to produce, they can be more aggressive towards the gear anglers use to …

Steelhead 101: Defining types of steelhead hatcheries

In Science Friday, Steelhead Files by Nick Chambers

Every steelhead angler is probably somewhat familiar with hatcheries. As we discussed last week, deciphering the jargon associated with hatcheries is important, but can also be difficult. This week’s terminology is more common-place, and many of you may be familiar with it already. But, just in case, let’s look at the terms used to broadly classify hatchery programs: segregated and …

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Sportfishing Industry asks Trump for solid review of Snake River Dams

In Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

More than 50 fishing companies, trade groups and conservation organizations sent a letter today to President Donald Trump in support of taking a fresh look at removing four large dams on the lower Snake River to recover wild salmon and steelhead that once thrived in the Snake River Basin of Idaho, Oregon and Washington.   With a court-ordered comprehensive analysis …