Made ya look!! Going on a late feb. trip lower Q how do I tell if its a nate (released) to a hac. (bonk) help me out. My guide sez you can keep 3 per each fisherman, no questions. Thats the Q native-line on thier river.

That wasn't even funny...

Anyways, the easiest way to tell is to look at the fins and the rays within the fins. On a wild fish, the dorsal fin will not collapse over. Plus look at the anal and ventral fins. If the rays are straight it is wild, if they are crooked then it is a hatchery fish.

When in doubt though, let if go.

Really, look at the rays? That sounds kind of weak, any other thoughts?

The hatchery steelhead I ate tonight tasted real good!

You stole my thunder! I was gonna post "Why are nates so hard to filet?" Looks like you caught one. Andy

My buddy Barry caught two chrome bright brats on the Lewis two weekends ago and he cooked them up for me and my other buds. How they tasted.......one word, awesome!

Just look at the dorsal fin. If it is really short or flat across the top then it is probably a hatchery fish.

~ Dr Pepper

Still eatin silvers from the Quil...haven't bonked a steelie...nate or hatch yet....don't need it... don't kill it.

gooose

most of the quinalt steelies don't have clipped adipose. the dorsal is the real give away. late feb. is getting to be late for brats. you will likely catch a lot of nates.

hatchery smolts have a tencendy to chew on each others fins ( or so the rumor is) best bet if there is no adipose fin is to look for a mangaled dorsal. When in doubt let it go!! And for the time of year go expecting to release them all. if you get to bonk a for sure brat thats great but go expecting to enjoy the fishing not to fill your freeser! That should be true with any fishing trip at any time of year!