Originally posted by Mike B:
...but I can tell you with big Dolly Varden (which I no longer keep at all...strictly CnR) you can open their mouths and take a whiff of their breath.
If it smells like ca-ca toss them back...means they have been eating off dead salmon will will taste like mud.
Glade to hear that. Thouse big Dollies, actually they most are Bull Trout, take forever to grow that big. And even though they are open to keep on the Skagit and Sky, I hope people release them as they are a sign that that system is in good shape. Also they are the first fish to go after enviromental damage and the last fish to return.
As for steelhead, I've only kept 3 a few seasons ago when I first started to steelhead. They tasted fine, but then again they where all in good condition. The last couple seasons though I have released all the steelhead I caught even though they where hatchery. I know a lot of people say "if it is hatchery then bonk it" but I believe that since there are few of these great fish left, why not let them swim free. The rewards are the same. I'd rather see more fish return to the hatchery so there will be more fish latter on. I even don't mind if hatchery fish spawn naturally since it still means more fish in the years to come.
IMHO release the steelhead to save them, and go catch salmon fresh from the ocean instead. The salmon taste better too.