Where has the reverence for these fish gone? But then again, was it ever really there?



Todd this is an interesting statement. I can honestly tell you that for I am old enough to remember 30 punch punch cards, free refills and no concern whether it was hatchery or wild...didn't know since nothing was clipped.

It took me a long time to buy into CnR that was for Bass fisherman and I'd say fly guys but there were so few of them I had never seen one until the 90's. Back then we didn't fish for Chum or Pinks and laughed at those who did.

The frustrating thing for me now is the statewide law of no retention of wild steelhead....its that simple...or should be.

I also understand the drive to obtain a record. For years I wanted the state Coho, fishing the Chehalis almost exclusively for many years I knew I had a shot. I kept two fish that came within ounces of that record but I never got it. I will not own it now because I keep only hatchery brats, I put two 15+ coho back last fall, they were never out of the water nor were they netted. Hopefully those genes made it to the gravel.

I guess I am in the camp that I sure wish this fish wouldn't have been kept and yet somewhat understand the mentality of keeping it. I long for the old days when it didn't matter and innocent fisherman weren't criminalized for doing nothing legally wrong.

JimB