Big Mac,
Interesting, you bring this up. Last weekend i got a 8 lb winter run that was defintly colored up, but the meat was stil red/orange color and very good eating. Winter runs color up alot faster than summer fish because they are pretty much ready to spawn the second they hit the river. If you catch a summer hatchery fish this time of year, the meat would probably be white, having lost most of its nutrients through the summer and fall. When in doubt, keep the brats to help the wild genepool, and for gods sake RELEASE WILD FISH!!!!

- BW
_________________________
"I have a fair idea of what to expect from the river, and usually, because I fish it that way, the river gives me approximately what I expect of it. But sooner or later something always comes up to change the set of my ways..."
- Roderick Haig-Brown