These days, good news in the wild steelhead arena is rare. Poor ocean survival, habitat degradation, hydro system mortality, a warming climate with associated increased water temperature — wild steelhead have a lot going against them.
Field Day Friday: The high value of two redds in one
Is there anything special about a winter steelhead redd in late May? Perhaps not, in general, but sometimes if we look more closely some interesting details might emerge.
The tipping point for Snake River steelhead
These remarks were delivered on Thursday, May 13, at the 2021 Environmental Conference at the Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State University by Chris Wood, the President and CEO of Trout Unlimited.
Washington state finalizes suction dredge mining rules
This April, advocates for wild steelhead scored a major victory when the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Commissioners approved new regulations governing suction dredge (motorized) mining in the state.
Cheaters, Liars, and Whiners: The Washington Coast Wrap-up
Wild Steelheaders United ambassador Lee Geist shares his perspective from a season chasing steelhead on Washington’s coast under new fishing regulations meant to reduce angler encounter rate.
An unfortunate reality: Depleted Olympic Peninsula steelhead and emergency conservation measures
Last week, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) enacted new regulations coast-wide with the stated goal of reducing our encounter rates on these last, best wild runs here in Washington. This includes some serious changes to the way we fish for steelhead.
WILD: the relationship between steelhead and the fires they survive
It’s understandable that after a fire season like the one we just had—by many accounts, one of the worst fire seasons in recorded history in the US—many anglers want to know: how do the fires that we see all over the news affect the steelhead and rivers we love?
Science Friday: Oldie but a goodie on steelhead fry behavior in intermittent streams
This week we review a Master’s Thesis from John David Faudskar, conducted when Faudskar was at Oregon State University in 1980. This study examined how young steelhead behaved during their first summer of life in the Rogue River watershed in Oregon.
Stee-Lee: The Tributary Boss
When confronted with tiny streams northwest steelheaders often reach for a spinner. A spinner is an excellent choice, but there is a perfect small water option for those of us who prefer to wobble our way into a steelhead’s lie. Acme Tackle’s ½ ounce tear-drop Stee-Lee spoon is a true steelhead hunter and I am not the first to say so.
Science Friday: Update on the Hood Canal bridge and survival of steelhead smolts
This week’s Science Friday is an update on a topic we have covered before: the effect of the Hood Canal bridge on survival of steelhead smolts passing through Hood Canal.