Where are all the fish????????

[Gillfish]

For the past week I have been beating the rivers to a froth and have only seen a small handfull of fish on the bank.

On Tuesday I stopped in to the hachery at three rivers and was told over 800 steelhead have been recycled to date but when I ask fisherman on the bank, no one has been doing worth a darn!!!!!!!!

WHERE ARE ALL THE FISH???????

[hawgcatcher]

Hiding in the back of the Hatchery Truck, waiting for another ride.

This growing big mystery is becoming region wide. I've gotten a lot of reports from Washington sourses also that most of the rivers aren't getting what was predicted to be a good run, or even a decent run yet. With great runs of summer steelhead this year, great coho salmon runs, enough rain finally, and consensus opinions of N.W. fish bios of a very good run due this winter, something quite mysterious needs to be determined. Any ideas out there? ... Maybe the winter steelhead schools ventured to areas far enough out in the ocean that they didn't get in on the good feed conditions the other runs did? High seas drift nets? Late seasonal rains may cause a late run? You all used RT's crummy fishing tips? jk jk jk! Waz up?!? - RT

[David Johnson]

All those hatchery fish that get re-run are all the non-biters that made it up the river and never bit. It seams uncomon for any re-run fish to be caught. They just head right back to the hatchery.

Has any one out there ever done any good on re-run fish?

[Salmonator]

Floated the Nestucca today with my son and a friend. Farmers to Cloverdale, not a bite or takedown. Between 20 or so boats we had visual contact with we witnessed one fish hooked (landed). This fish was caught by one of two gals in the d-boat behind us in a slot that us manly men had just plugged (Jen and RW I thought you would get a kick out of that). OK so there was a guy rowing their boat but it still left our hineys a little chapped. Water was slightly dirty but very fishable.

[kingofbacklash]

Throw those Steelies a curve-ball! Maybe they've seen your presentation genetically one time too many. Just a thought. I remember years ago on the Sandy river, if you fished a rocket red corkie then you would probably hook up, this was the hottest lure. Seems to me it's never been that hot since then. That was around the same time the red & white corkie's were good producers, they slowed down as well. On the same note, peach pearl and pink pearl always stayed on top. Maybe just maybe it's time to throw your curve-ball, that's right try something totally different give those steelies a new look. Who knows you might just find yourself a new secret weapon. I'm sure you guys knew this already, just a visit to the hill once in awhile keeps us throwing the stuff we need to get the job done. With so few Steelies around it could be that they will be late again this year. This seems to be the way things are going nowadays. Wonder if it has anything to do with Global warming?
Just my ideas.


fearsnofish

[Fish4Fun]

David,

Years ago on the Cowlitz we watched the truck dump a load at the trout hatchery ramp. Had some lunch, gave them about 45 minutes and as fast we could back a Hot Shot into them instant hook ups. That was the only time I have messed with the reruns. Just give them a minute to settle down and they should bight.

Fish4Fun