Where to find "Ike"?

[drifter]

Since we have little to discuss about Fall Chinook, let's dream about Steelies. "Dummy's" post about finding the big #25lb fish, started my thinking. What river and when? (B.C doesn't count - must be Oregon or Washington.) Give me your thoughts - Chromers. My pick is the Sandy.

"Talking about fishing is better than working" drifter.

[Fish4Fun]

My pick for a big Steelie would be the Cowlitz in March for the big wild fish that come back.

Fish 4 Fun

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

You people are crazy to overlook the "The Sleeper" winner here. The Lewis River is the answer (Washington).

[Fish4Fun]

hey_yall,

That is where the Washington record steelhead—winter-run, 32 lbs. 12 oz.,E.F. Lewis River, in April of 1980 was caught. However before that fish was taken the record was from the Cowlitz. A guy that was bank fishing across from the Trout Hatchery ramp caught it. The thing was a brute of a fish, we watched for a long time as he played the fish. A sled went and picked him up to finish the fight. We have had many 20 pound steelies to the boat in the Cowlitz. My best of 25 1/2 pounds was from there.

Fish 4 Fun

[Osprey]

Wild fish in the Cowlitz..naaa
but some big brats yes,I fished this river a lot in the 80's and early 90's, with my biggest being in the 24lb class, my largest was on the Nasty 26lb 8 oz.(thats gutted on a certified scale)
no fishing there for steelies since 92
( don't get me started on this one )
but for BIG boys I have to say the Quinault...no contest,after that I'd say one of the Penninsula rivers

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Row quietly and fish a Cataraft !!-------<'))>><
Release all Wild Fish

[STRIKE ZONE]

I would have to agree with O's on this one. The upper Quinalt which Ihave a 22 pounder on
But don't for get the other coastal rivers.
Good luck, STRIKE ZONE

[parker]

Ditto on the Quinalt. 27 pounds. For some reason, I keep having a hard time breaking that personal best!

Parker - Trying really dang hard to make the 30/75 club! (30 lb. steelhead and 75lb. Chinook)

[drifter]

I looks like Washington is getting all the attention. What about Oregon? drifter.

[Tanner]

SSSHHHH!!!!
Salmonberry river. A few years ago I saw a steelhead in there that I know was pushing 30 lbs. Couldn't get him to bite but I got a real good look at him. No keepers though, they are all natives. Great place to hike into, beautiful scenery and lots of elk.

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There's No Nookie Like Chinookie

[TH]

I fish the Elk and Sixes really hard in Feb and March... both river sre C&R only (best thing the ODFW has done in our region in 20 years) I catch quite a few fish in the mid teens every year, but still haven't landed that 20 pounder.

Thought I had it last Feb... turned out to be a 25 pound chinook.

I know he/she is out there..........

TH www.thcustomrods.com

[steelie67]

I would have to say the Hoh or the Duc in march you might have a chance . You might even have a chance at 20 lb in the John Day right now .. Heard of a 37 incher caught just up from the mouth of the Deschutes a couple of weeks ago ..

[smilesforu]

Heh you don't expect a serious answer do ya Ike lives with his brothers

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Marty M
Steelheader.net

[chromer]

If you're looking for big fish, look in big water. The Quinalt and Queets definitely get my vote, but there are big fish still swimming in Oregon.

The main Nehalem used to give up 20 pounders with regularity and has been known to produce 30 pound steelhead. The problem - its blown out about 90% of the season. Learn how and where on this one and there are still some lunkers around.

The Trask has been managed for wild fish since the early 80's. It gives up 15 - 18 pound fish regularly and I have seen and even tugged on a couple of 20 pounders here in the last 5 years.

I've landed 2 steelies on the Wilson that I know were over 20 (of course that's been over the course of 30 years of fishing there) and the Nestucca always kicks out a bruiser or two every year. And don't forget the Siletz, although I think with the new management practices being employeed here, the chances of really big fish will be diminished.

But, to have a regular chance at big fish, I'd stay on the bigger rivers. If my memory serves me, the Oregon State record came out of the Columbia. Now that's some big water!

Tight lines.

[buzzerbaby]

Hopefully on the end of my line. My vote goes for the lewis in march.

[Pilar]

A good friend pulled a clipped 24lb buck out of the Sandy in March '97. It was his first ever and I watched him do it. We thought for sure it was a springer until we beached him. Right below Marmot. Must have been a fluke.

The bend is your friend!

[Salmonator]

Yes, cleaning up the genes of a hatchery run of fish will more than likely cause a decrease in individual hatchery and native fish average size. Better to hit the North coast streams if you want that trophy. What? They're implementing broodstock programs in all the rivers? Oh well, it'll still be fun catching all those dinkers on trout gear...

[Grant Scheele]

I don't understand how getting rid of crappy hatchery fish and implementing a brood stock program has anything to do with size. If anything, it's going to help..... Oh, I get it, Salmonator is trying to steer people from the Siletz and I just blew it. Ooops!

[Salmonator]

Grrreeaaaat Grant, you just screwed up. Now we won't find a place to park a trailer above town. Oh wait nevermind, it's been like that ever since the broodstock fish started coming back four years ago

September +/- on the Columbia R. for group B late summer fish and Idaho's Clearwater R. for the Dworshak strain of large steelhead in Oct. & Nov. gives up steelies over 20 lbs. at a relatively good rate. They often freshen up in the lower Deschutes and John Day before continuing up the Col. The big winter late nates of Feb. & Mar. that 'used' to go up the Columbia tribs have taken the heaviest hit by the commercial gillnetters targeting spring chinooks over the years. We used to catch lots of big nates in the Clackamas in March years ago but they got wiped out in the mesh; along with other causes of course. So in Oregon I would concentrate on the mid to larger coastal rivers Feb. thru April; C&R of the big late winter nates. Bring a tape measure for the over 20's and be very gentle yet brisk measuring them while still in the water, then revive them properly. Use the length and girth formulas for approximate weight. There are going to be more big ones this year! As for Wash., here I come Letty and the big Q .

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Know fish or no fish. - RT

[sea lice]

If I were solely seeking a big fish I would do the Bogaciel because I know the river and have hooked 20+# steelies there.