Looking Ahead To Winter Steelhead

[happybrew]

I was doing some web-surfing last night, looking for research into steelhead populations, and I came across some interesting things. There are a number of small streams, open for steelhead, but without hatchery stocking, that actually have a higher density of fish than many streams with hatcheries. There were two in particular, that I fished a couple of years ago, that actually have more fish per square meter than streams like the Nestucca and the Wilson. Of course, they are much smaller streams, shorter and narrower, so the overall run is quite small in comparison. They are catch and release only, and even a harvest of 100 fish would have a serious impact on the run. Because they are catch and release, and very difficult to fish, last winter I didn't fish them. And I didn't do as well! I'm thinking about fishing them again this winter, but I'm not sure if I should. The areas are very sensitive, and if everyone fished there the habitat would be seriously degraded, IMO. Because I wouldn't want everyone to fish there, does that mean I shouldn't fish there either? The runs appear healthy, and have actually been increasing the past three years. I feel better about fishing hatchery runs, but it's just not the same experience. I have the stream to myself, utter silence except for the sound of the water and the wind in the trees, incredible beauty, and I think a better chance at a fish. But then I start thinking it's a bit selfish to do that. If everyone started fishing those streams, I'm sure the ODFW would shut them down in a heartbeat. What are everyone's thoughts on this?

happybrew

[bajaspecial]

I feel your pain happybrew...I enjoy catch and release very much, but on a river or stream with small runs, I don't think I could do it. I hear stories all the time about “how it used to be”; it's going to be elbows to elbows just about any place you go to. I used to throughly enjoy fishin the waterfall at NF Nehalem Hatchery...it's just too damn crowded nowadays! And if you want some prime areas to fish, you've got to hike a goat trail just to get to it (like the 5 mile hole up the logging road.) I think by not fishing the smaller catch and release streams as often as we would like, say every other year, would be an acceptable and enjoyable rule to live by for the future of those runs. I'd rather spend more time exploring areas that most people don't want to hike to to find “quiet areas” to fish in.

[rhansme]

Happy...GO FISHING...It's not about the catching, its the relaxation gained from fishing. I fish a unstocked coastal river. I fished it when it was planted and I fish it now that it is not. There is little pressure and the enjoyment I get from a nice day on the creek alone is priceless. Watching the mink scold me when I get to close to his home in the Logjam, the Eagle watching my every move from a lone snag up on the side of the hill. Man O man! Come on Rain...Not to mention when you catch one of the finest fighting fish on the planet. If you dont catch anything you still had some solitude or uninterrupted time with a buddie. GO FISH!!.....ohhh gotta go my rod is in need of new line and reel needs grease....rhansme

HB, with your proper attitude about the habitat and the fish I don't think you would be one to negatively impact it. My favorite fishing of all time was for fall 'Nooks and winter steelhead bankfishing the smaller coastal rivers many years ago! My arthritic ankle has improved enough that I think I can dable in that again. I still can't hike real far so I will use my cataraft to revisit some favorite places once again. And I will use larger barbless hooks (that are more difficult for the fish to swallow - 5/0 for 'Nooks and 1/0 for steelhead) with no bait. Definately don't need it if you know how to fish smaller rivers. For the responsible sportfishers that would enjoy C&R on these small streams I have a good hunch that they would also be careful of the habitat and pick up some trash to haul out. Just DON'T say where these rivers are please! We don't want reports for those. - RT

[happybrew]

I think I like the idea of fishing them every other year. You're right rhansme, it is about the fishing, and not the catching... but it is possible to love something to death as well. No problems there right now, but I'd hate to see any. RT- there is no way on God's green earth I'd post the names of those streams.... I don't even tell my closest friends about them! The only one who knows is my wife! The S&R guys would need to know where to look for me if I didn't come back, so that's why I have to tell her...

I'll park really far away, and sneak in before it gets light so nobody sees me going in there....


But I guess what I'm getting at, is it ethically permissible to do something that I wouldn't want everyone else to do? It is a little selfish I know. I think a lot of people wouldn't do it because they couldn't keep the fish, and it's very strenuous bushwacking to get to the holes, and it's almost necessary to flyfish most of the water because it's not the usual unobstructed drifts and pools that larger rivers have. You have a slot in most cases of five or six feet if you're lucky. The fish are ALWAYS under something, a log or undercut bank. The first steelhead I hooked was on one of those streams, and it was under the roots of a tree, in a hole about four feet long. You have no room to play the fish. If it makes a good run, it's as good as lost. Come to think of it, under those conditions, I don't think there is much danger of the crowds hitting those streams!

happybrew