Dworshak, the only dam remaining on the Clearwater -- ones just above Lewiston and near Harpster on the South Fork were removed 30-plus years ago -- does not have a fish-passage system. The Corps of Engineers' answer for blocking off the North Fork of the Clearwater was construction of the hatchery at Ahsahka, which it still calls the largest steelhead hatchery in the world. While it does provide a healthy run of sizable fish, few people consider that adequate compensation for the loss of what was considered some of the finest steelhead spawning habitat in the northwest.

Word of big fish -- natives included -- in the Snake system is widespread this fall. That, however, hasn't been substantiated by results so far in the annual Thanksgiving-week derby being held in Lewiston. Three days in, the leader is 19.9 pounds (the winner is usually well into the 20s). But since derby entries must be weighed in and there is no retention of natives in these parts, it is possible that a huge native was caught and released sometime in the past few days -- fishing pressure on the Snake and Clearwater is just about to combat level -- and that word is spreading slowly.

But a 51-incher? I'd say that's highly unlikely.