Todd,

You can use a dissecting microscope, but I found the microfiche reader at the public library was the easiest to use.

Also, I’ve done a lot of spawning surveys on Skagit tributaries and the mainstem. I don’t think there is much of a size correlation with size of water body for spawning. That is, I’ve observed some big fish in tributaries, even fairly small streams, and lots and lots of 8 to 12 pound size fish are out spawning in the mainstem Skagit and Sauk. If there is any tendency, it seems like more large steelhead spawn in the Sauk and its tributaries than in the Skagit and its tributaries. However, even that is a pretty gross generalization.

Your point about girth relating more to ocean grazing conditions is probably on target, although I think genetics plays some role there as well. Your 12 pound 28.5" example seems pretty unusual.

FNP,

All salmon and steelhead are phenomenal eating and growth machines. Think of a pitiful pink salmon fry leaving his river at 1/1200th of a pound,only to return 16 months later at 5 pounds, with the occasional oddball reaching 10 to 12 pounds.

Most of our coho are 2-salt fish, but occasionally 3-salt scales are read. There might be more of them, but since we "know" that coho are 2-salt fish, very few coho scales are ever collecting for aging. I've heard hearsay that 3-salt coho are common in some Alaskan waters, but I don't have any documentation to reference.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.