Whoa! Got me beat. 50 yrs, for me. Learned Steelhead on the Puyallup from my Gramps who resided in town since 1906. He told stories of fishing the lower river before diked and straightened, and how it was so brushy would have to bushwack for access. Cane poles with ceramic guides that rattle, and leader pieces and hooks bought from the dime store. No reel, couldn't afford one. Used cat gut for main line that became pliable when wet. Short casts only with a strip basket. Fiasco when you hooked one. Pole in arm pit trying to conrol line in and out. Many fish lost but multiple hookups inceased the odds of landing dinner. I started out "plunking", he used another derogatory term for it. Landed my 1st ever in 74. Grew up drift fishing and focused all efforts there. March was so fun for the nates. C&R came too late. Didn't have to travel anywhere else? Did venture to the Nisqually later in April after the Puy closed. Very seldom bonked those brutes. Green in the spring/early summer. Late 70's early 80's it was hot! Met Harry Lemire up in the gorge once. Sneaky guy up there.
In retirement, had dreams of fishing locally into March and April. I still think March wild numbers exist in the Puyallup, but probably will never get another chance. It would be a crowded zoo anyway. So sad. Thanks for jogging memories.