Steelhead Trout

[GunnyGene]

Had to brag about this. One of my relatives in WA, sent me about 2 lbs of wild steelhead that he'd caught and smoked a few days ago. I love this fish. Caught many of them up there, up to around 15lbs. Unlike salmon they return to the ocean after spawning and just keep growing year after year. If you're not familiar with the species it's an ocean going trout that is one hell of a fighter that likes to hang out just up from river rapids during spawning and will head for the rapids when hooked. They will tail walk for yards trying to shake the hook when you get one on. And they are delicious any way you cook them, and especially good when properly smoked. Yuuummmmm! :mrgreen:

This fish was likely around 8lbs before gutting.

 

[powder smoke]

Got yourself a real treat there Gunny, looks awesome.
Enjoy! I like with Saltines, and a cold brew. ps

 

[ChiefMuzz]

My good friend that lives up around Erie, PA sends me pictures anytime he reels in a nice steelhead. I keep trying to make plans and spend a couple days up there with him. The last one he sent me was just under 30 inches.

 

[GunnyGene]

My good friend that lives up around Erie, PA sends me pictures anytime he reels in a nice steelhead. I keep trying to make plans and spend a couple days up there with him. The last one he sent me was just under 30 inches.

That's a good size steely. :) I think the current record catch was a little over 42lbs caught on the West Coast a couple years ago. You really should go after one. :)

 

[ChiefMuzz]

I will soon enough. I was actually just up there a couple weeks ago and we started roughing out some plans for a fishing trip.
Trout is good eating.

 

[bogus bill]

Smoked carp is good too.

 

[exavid]

Steelhead are Rainbow trout that have gone to sea and returned to their birthplace just like salmon. Trout are a salmonidae. That's the family of Salmon, Trout, Grayling and Whitefish. All great eating fish. I didn't know how good I had it when I lived in NW Alaska. I really miss river fishing salmon and Arctic Char (sometimes known as Dolly Varden)
When I lived in Ketchikan just north a bit from town was the Naha River. Great place for salmon and steelhead. In the mid seventies you could take your boat to the mouth of the Naha, tie up and hike about five miles on a Forest Service trail to Roosevelt lake. Great fishing spot we probably brought 200lbs or more fish home from there in the time we lived in Ketchikan. Once we moved North to Juneau we went down there a few times in our Lake amphibian but it was rally more fun to sal the ketch there and spend a couple days fishing. Fish just taste better cooked over a Dikenson stove on a boat lighted below deck with gimbaled kerosene lamps. With the rain pattering on the deckhouse the rigging humming a bit in the breeze, good grub, good friends, a little adult beverage, and a warm bunk plus the gentle motion of a slight swell. What more can a guy want?

 

[~JM~]

What more can a guy want?

A woman?

Hopefully one that also likes to fish.

 

[powder smoke]

I will soon enough. I was actually just up there a couple weeks ago and we started roughing out some plans for a fishing trip.
Trout is good eating.

Not sure about the Erie area but now is almost prime time in Salmon River near Pulaski
in NY state. Caught some real beauties up there in the past. Mid Feb. usually they are in the
river. Drifting with lures or live bait is the usual tactics salmon egg sacks are also used. We called the Steelies tail walkerers
due to their acrobatic behavior on the top of the water when hooked. Good Luck. ps

ETA: Up to date Fishing Report: http://www.yankeeangler.com/FishingReport.html

 

[dougader]

I love fishing for steelhead... and woman vs. fishing, well that's a close call...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7XE9JMZAj4

 

[wunbe]

To each his own, but steelhead are my favorite fish to pursue with fly gear and are solely a catch and release fish for me. Since they return year after year to make more steelhead, I have not deliberately killed one in decades.

The GL salmon are going to die after they spawn and I smoke and eat them with relish. The fall run salmon fresh from the big lake have firm tasty flesh and they fight hard to boot.

wunbe

 

[gramps]

I love trout, salmon, and I really love Sheefish the best! In Tn now Crappie is at the top of the list, although we have trout too.
gramps

 

[Sin6Sec63451022]

Did it come out of the Cowlitz, by any chance?