It's funny how so many people claim to be "catch and release" fisherman when it comes to native steelhead. Yes, I kept my first two natives I ever caught on the Hoh years ago. I haven't kept one since. That's the truth. I am strongly for the release of native fish. I still feel bad when I look at the pictures (they were nice fish though)...
Here's my point. Two or three weeks ago I made my annual trip to the Hoh to try my luck down by Barlows. Unfortunately, things didn't work out. A big no fish day. I got to chatting with a couple of guys and we started talking about the bulletin board. So we continue talking and one of the gentlemen (a frequent poster on this site) gets a fish on. He brings it in and bonks it on the head. After this he looked at me kind of funny because he knew that I knew he was one of those guys that always posted about the importance of releasing native steelhead. Funny how things work isn't it. I'm not judging by any means. If someone wants to keep a native when it's legal to do so go ahead. I don't do it. Thanks in large part to Rich G. He has truly educated me on the importance of the species. Come on guys. Practice what you preach. I'm not mad or anything I just feel that if you keep native steelhead don't sit there and tell us all that you don't. My gut feeling tells me that probably close to 50% of the guys that post against killing native fish keep them when they go fishing. Just a thought......
Cuttie