I think no angler will play a steelhead to the point that it cannot recover, except under two conditions. That would apply whether you play it one minute per pound or ten minutes per pound. If you apply a reasonable, or even too light, force against the fish, eventually it will "play out" and come to hand. The two exceptions are if the fish is mortally hooked, in which case it probably doesn't matter how long you play it; and the other is during very warm summer water conditons. If the water temperature is 68 degrees or higher, there is a high risk of the steelhead building up too much lactic acidic while being played for it to successfully recover. Frankly, if the water's that warm, it's time for me to sit in the shade and tip a cool one.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.