Sparkey -
It is common for male steelhead to hang around after the last of the females have spawn. The first and last fish to mature are generally males; appears to by Mother Nature's way of insuring that any potential spawning female will have a mate. Occassionally see steelhead spawning in late June or early July on the North Fork. The spawning on our local rivers this spring was later than normal. The latest I have seen an actively spawning winter steelhead was the 25th of July (Sauk). Occassionally have seen post spawn wild winter steelhead (mostly males) throughout the summer or even into October.

It is doubtful that the males are guarding redd sites. Rather they hang around near spawning areas waiting for other females. The pit of old redds provide a hydraulic cushion in which they can hold with little effort. The female salmon will guard their redds from other females until they no longer have the strength to continue to do so. With the trout (steelhead, cutthroat, Dollies) the females guard their site while spawning but leave upon completing spawning; likely with their ablility it is more important that they begin the recovery process rather than continue protecting the redd site.

Beginning to hear of a few Deer Creek fish and good number of hatchery in the upper river.

Tight lines
Smalma