CFM,

Hypothetically, fish culturists could breed a hatchery steelhead that fights better than a native one (assuming that the reverse is actually true). However, there is quite a ways to go. At the present time, hatchery fish don't even bite as well as wild steelhead. So first, I think it will be necessary to breed hatchery steelhead to be as good, or better, biters than wild steelhead. If fish culturists can first fix that little problem, then I think breeding other attributes, like more fight when hooked, are a good idea. Although, I think maybe a higher priority should be breeding the buggers to have a higher survival rate. Presently, wild steelhead smolts survive to returning adult at least at twice the rate, and sometimes a lot more, than their hatchery counterparts. So a lot of fixes might be possible, but the most fundamental are yet to be attained.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

P.S.: Any fish showing up in the honey hole this year?