Here's the exact text from the regs:

"In freshwater, (except the Columbia River
downstream of the Rocky Point/Tongue
Point line) it is unlawful to totally remove
from the water any SALMON or
STEELHEAD required to be released."


So actually, in waters where it is legal to retain wild steelhead, it would be legal based on the explicit wording in this rule to totally remove a WILD steelhead from the water for a photo.

Another thing occurred to me the other day while fishing a small river full of chums: many of my chums were legally hooked in the mouth, while others were (unfortunately) snagged. I released all the snagged fish as required by law.

However, it was difficult, if not impossible to remove a hook from a tail, vent, etc. of a snagged fish unless the fish is totally removed from the water. This is especially true if fishing from a high bank and the fish is hooked on the underside. A snagged fish is a fish that is "required to be released." So, based on the explicit wording of the law, beaching a snagged fish and then releasing it would be a violation.

This particular law, while probably passed with good intentions, is difficult and impractical to practice and enforce.

Good luck and good fishing,

Cheapskate aka keyboard gamewarden