This is definitely one of the more personally difficult posts I've put up for everyone to read but writing about it helps me work it all out...

Every year at the end of October beginning of November when the conditions are just right I guarantee you can find me in one hole on the Sol Duc. You might have heard me mention it once or twice out of context in some of my other posts, the location isn't really that important here. I have had epic days in this hole and caught some absolutely spectacular fish, ones I will never forget. I've released far more fish than I've kept but given the right conditions I kill two fish every time...

...this last week I hit it just right and had another outstanding day. I bonked my largest coho ever, released a fish that was nearly as large, caught and released a 30# chrome bright king, released two other coho and bonked a hen full of eggs. Thing about it is I was sitting down to eat some of the buck for dinner tonight and I couldn't eat the fish. My girlfriend said it was the best fish she ever tasted...period. I had a couple of bites and it was pretty damn tasty but I'd been having second thoughts since just a little after it was too late to have them and I just couldn't do it.

The argument I had always used was that wild salmon were much more plentiful than wild steelhead and the sustainability of the population was a lot higher...the rate I've caught fish in there sometimes bears that line of reasoning out. But...

After so doggedly pursuing catching a Springer in the Hoh and finally getting one last year, killing it of course, through several conversations I've had with several members of this board I decided I wouldn't ever kill another intentionally...

...and after tonight I know I'm done whacking native salmon on the Sol Duc.

For the record anyone who truly knows me knows I probably don't fit the stereotype of the typical 'fancy wadered, bug tossin, meeting going C & R fanatic' or whatever...I suppose some of you will think I'm headed in that direction but trust me, I can't afford the gear...

So go ahead and think me soft or whatever for being more interested in fishing than in eating fish, I'm not going to force my ethical persuasions on other people but I will, if someone asks me 'why I released that fish?' take the opportunity to share exactly why...

...and to anyone that fishes the OP fisheries willing to listen I'll gladly share at length with them the reasons why I've come to these decisions and strongly encourage them to consider doing the same. I mean really consider it. Maybe even for years...