View Post

Meet the team: John McMillan

In Meet the team, Washington by Kyle Smith

We’re rolling on with Elwha week with more content on the people that have helped make the Elwha the Phoenix Rising from the Ashes. Today, we have the next post in our Meet the Team series featuring our Science Director for the Wild Steelhead Initiative, John McMillan. You may already know John from his Instagram account @rainforest_steel, or his Barbless …

View Post

Rising from the Ashes

In Washington by Sam Davidson

WATCH THE FULL FILM NOW: This is a special week for steelhead anglers, and others who care about the magnificent sea-run form of rainbow trout in its native range of the Pacific Northwest. On Friday, Wild Steelheaders United will launch a new film on the resurgence of summer steelhead in Washington’s Elwha River. The film’s release is supported by a …

View Post

COVID and steelhead: how anglers can stay safe and sane during the pandemic

In Alaska, California, Columbia River, Idaho, Oregon, Washington by Jonathan Stumpf

It’s been close to a month now since the first wave of stay-at-home orders were issued here in the Pacific Northwest due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Anxiety, fear, confusion, sadness, and anger, are all emotions that I’m sure we’ve all felt at one time or another as close to 92% of United States is under a stay-at-home order because of …

View Post

Meet the Team: Lee Geist

In Meet the team, Washington by Kyle Smith

Next up in our Meet the Team series is Wild Steelheaders United ambassador Lee Geist. You may know Lee from his Instagram profile (@lee_geist) or from his frequent presence on the waters of the Olympic Peninsula. Lee contributes blog and social media content for Wild Steelheaders and makes the rest of staff jealous with the amount of time he spends …

View Post

Meet the team: Jonathan Stumpf

In Meet the team, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

Lots happening ’round these parts. With our new website, we’re providing more updates and information on the priorities and campaigns of Wild Steelheaders United. We’re also relaunching our monthly newsletter, The Wild Steelheader, that will be delivered fresh to your inbox when you join us by signing the Wild Steelheaders United Credo. Our new website also includes staff bios so …

View Post

Meetings on Lower Snake Dams available via teleconference

In Idaho, Oregon, Snake River, Washington by Kyle Smith

If you are interested in weighing in on the recently released draft environmental impact statement regarding the Lower Snake and Columbia River dams, you can do so via telephone: –Days: March 18, 19, 25, 26, 31–Times: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT–Toll-free: 844-721-7241–International: 409-207-6955–Access Code: 5998146# You may also provide comments online by April 13. Trout Unlimited will provide more information on …

View Post

Cold water refuges in the Columbia River- what are they and why are they important?

In Columbia River, Idaho, Oregon, Snake River, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

After months of winter steelheading, and with spring a few days away, wet-wading and sunshine are starting to sound pretty appealing. But warmer temperatures also bring some complications for summer steelhead in the Columbia basin. Tributaries like Herman Creek, Eagle Creek, Little White Salmon, and the Deschutes River deliver cold water to the Columbia even when air temps climb. Summer …

View Post

Science Friday- Just how much diversity can one creek support? Asotin Creek provides an example

In Science Friday, Snake River, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

If only it was as simple as an adipose fin.  The presence of an adipose fin is universally recognized as the mark.  An individual with an adipose fin is, with a few exceptions, considered a wild steelhead.  On the other hand, those marked, clipped, or ad-intact fish, they are the hatchery ones. Although it is but a small mark, the …