Hmmm, if the post that began this thread is still relevant, here's what I've heard. Yes, it's normal. A female steelhead begins developing its next skeins of eggs even before the present skeins have been spawned.

I didn't do a check on this, so am relying on old fart's memory, but I think I've read that a newborn female human possesses all the eggs she will ever develop and release in periods for half a lifetime, extending to menopause. In that context, a kelt with next year's skeins beginning to develop shouldn't seem so strange.

As for bonkin' the kelts, well it's hard to say any biological harm was done. The likely outcome is that they would have become seal fodder in the estuary. As spawners in the natural environment, if they were Chambers Creek fish, they aren't likely to be very effective. If it was the Wynoochee or Skookumchuck, or other systems where native brood stock are used, then the last statement most likely doesn't apply.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.