Took a kid steelheading for his first time the day before yesterday. The first fish he landed was a winter brat hen that was spilling eggs and was already half empty. Next day we released what appeared to be a summer run kelt that was in spent condition on the Wah-wah. All this turned out to be a very educational experience for him. (By the way, thanks Tom M., Nathan, Chris, and Cory (?) for taking the time and interest to make it a successful and memorable trip for the young man. )
Although I have caught a number of kelts on rivers myself, primarily in the spring, I did catch a super chrome steelhead off Bainbridge Is. on the 4th of July many years ago that turned out to be a kelt. After eating it, I have never kept one since. It was like eating one of those alkili trout from Eastern Wash. Ptewie!