A poster below asked about a "steelhead dictionary" to help him to understand the terms that make up our steelhead culture. Here goes a few...

He asked about "Lurker"- a lurker is someone who follows what happens on bulliten boards such as this, but doesn't contribute unless he/she feels the need to bag on a particular person or ***** about a particular topic. Not really seen as a good thing on a bulliten board...

"Cracker"- a very important term for a newbie to know, especially so as to not be one. A cracker is someone who has no idea what they're doing, but thinks they do, or worse, wanders around the river or boat launch telling everyone how much they (don't) know. There are some good signs to see if someone is a cracker or not.
1. sneakers and jeans on riverbank, or hip boots, or sneakers over neoprenes.
2. spinning rod, especially if yellow, with the rod upside down, reel on top. Also, calling a fishing rod a "pole". A "pole" is generally of a bright color, red or green, and comes as a combo in April for about ten to twenty bucks. If they really are using a pole, then they really are a cracker. No need to look any closer.
3. piece of yarn tied to rod tip so they can see when they have a "bite".
4. getting a "bite"-steelhead are not lake rainbows. They don't bite, they hit.
5. yellow rain jacket
6. using a Buzz Bomb for river chums
7. using a big red corky and long green yarn to fish for steelhead during very low, clear, water flows.
8. tackle box on riverbank
9. "boot" on stringer (see below)
10. issue of FHN in back pocket (j/k, couldn't help myself)

You don't need all of these to be a cracker, but if you notice more than one or two of these characteristics in someone, they are likely a cracker. Not a good thing to be.

"chromer"-a bright, fresh fish. a.k.a. "two-toner"

"boot"-not a chromer. An old salmon or steelhead. Sometimes very old. Often seen in one of three places; a. dead, washed up on riverbank, b. spawning, or c. hanging from a stringer being carried by a cracker.

"long-liner"-someone who thinks that the best fishing is always at the extreme limit of their casting ability, especially if that spot is within four feet of where you're standing. Also, a float fisherman who lets his float drift from the creek at Reiter damn near to the cable hole.

"fin clip"- hatchery fish missing adipose fin, or ventral fin

"bonk"- to kill a fish. See also, "applying the wood shampoo", "whack", "deliver", etc.

"schmeg"-the stuff an egg fisherman gets all over his waders, rods, reels, vest, rocks around him, trees around him, and all over the boat. For me, it generally seems to be everywhere except on the very clean rag hanging from my belt.

"keeper"- fin clipped chromer

"partner"- someone who pays for gas, coffee, bait, and loans gear. At least pays for their own. Good thing to have.

"leech"-someone who fishes with you who is not a "partner".

"expert"-someone who caught a fish this morning.

All right guys, let's hear some more, either useful or humorous. Preferably both.

Fish on...

Todd.