The first native I landed this year, day after Christmas, was a 17" steelhead. I also caught a hatchery hen about three weeks ago with Parker and Kid Sauk (Kid Squid?) that was only about 15" or 16".

Those small natives are an important part of the population. While it's obviously important to have native fish throughout the winter season as they take advantage of different reaches of the rivers, using the different habitats available, the different sizes do so, too.

That little native I release will not be able to spawn in the same areas that an average native will...she'll use a smaller tributary or backwater with smaller gravel. This helps to seed the river more fully with fish.

Fish on...

Todd.

P.S. Having wild steelhead in Thornton Creek will definitely help in establishing the level of protection it will get, for the good of all the fish that use the creek, or even Lk. Washington, for that matter.