Biggest steelie I've ever caught! (no pics)

steelhead22 · 02-04-2004, 05:38 PM

Without pictures this post is kinda boring, but I just have to share this one. Hit the river this morning and 15 min. into the day I hooked and landed the biggest steelie of my life. I estimate it at about 35-36" long and about 20" girth. Pictoral pursuits calculator puts it at between 18 and 20 pounds! I've never caught a 20 pounder, so I have nothing to judge it by, but I have caught a couple 14-15's and this fish blew them out of the water. It was a hatchery fish too, but it was pretty dark, so instead of killing such a great fish for nothing, I let it go to fight another day. I must say, I was torn for a minute. I knew that without pictures I would have no "proof" of this fish (except for my buddy who was with me), but "proof" that I caught this fish isn't worth killing it for, so away he went. Hopefully they will use him at the hatchery so we can get some of those genes in the gene pool. Other than the fact that this fish was so big, there's nothing spectacular about this post. No special method, or secret scent, just an orange corkie with white yarn and a little shrimp scent on a #2 hook. By the way, this is about my 10th-12th (I've lost count) time to this particular river and this is the first fish I've put on the bank this year.

P.S. Ended the day with a nice little 25" buck for the table. "Release the darkies and nates, and the fish gods will reward you with chrome."

GOT2FISH · 02-04-2004, 05:41 PM

blacktail519 · 02-04-2004, 05:44 PM

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Nice job [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Phishin Phool · 02-04-2004, 05:44 PM

Ya, and I once caught a fish this

big. :grin:
Steelhead22- Nice job! If you want to get into some big winter fish try the santiam some time.

Congrats--PP

Fishin Magician · 02-04-2004, 05:45 PM

Hey great job........Reminds me of a fish my dad caught a few years ago. It was and is the biggest steelhead I have ever seen alive. I have since caught a 22 and 25 and this one dwarfed both of them. Neither of us had a camera but we both saw and were enamored by the magnificence of it. It doesn�t matter what others think as long as you have the memory of the experience......Awesome Fish!!!!!!!!

Captain and Marie · 02-04-2004, 05:47 PM

Thank you for your fantastic report. I believe you with or without a picture. And I will say I'm very pround you didn't keep it. It takes a real man to admit what you did and you are a true sportsman. I'd like to shake your hand.

Marie

Fishybill · 02-04-2004, 06:08 PM

I guess I'm way lucky. I've been in the northwest for 10 years, targeted steelhead with a way to expensive fly rod three times, and once trolling in my boat. My first attempt on the Deshutes got me one break off. The second attempt on the Clak got me a 19 lb even 36" native winter buck.... quite the incredible fight. Third time was atrolling takedown on the CR last summer, maybe 6-8 lbs. Guess I ought to press that rig back into service from time to time.

I have to say a big steelhead is like a tuna in a stream. I saw that brute jump 10+ feet right in front of me, land and tailslap another 10+ft jump, and then do the up and down waterfall thing so fast I had no idea if the fish was on or if my line was coming back. But allas, my boat does the CR and the ocean, but is no sled.

skrimmy · 02-04-2004, 06:13 PM

Steelhead22, Congrats on the fish and KUDOS for the release.

Special K · 02-04-2004, 07:45 PM

Great report...better than I did today.

cully · 02-04-2004, 09:06 PM

Marie, I've shaken his hand plenty of times and it's a bit fishy. Not from telling fish tales but from catching fish. I know he's also caught fish using your scents.

SKP · 02-04-2004, 09:10 PM

Phishin Phool,

How's the ramp. You know which one. Any fish being caught yet?

SKP

[ 02-04-2004, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: SKP ]

Ty · 02-04-2004, 09:26 PM

Nice work!!

Kewl u let thedark ones go
go!

Snagly · 02-05-2004, 05:45 AM

Nice story and nice release ethic.

Way to go!

sparse gray hackle · 02-05-2004, 05:58 AM

SH22 All legends don't have to be cooked on the Bar-B-Q. congrats on the big fish and thanks for giving the rest of a Chance to cathe him. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

blacktail · 02-05-2004, 06:09 AM

Congrats!

Mike

Siwash · 02-05-2004, 08:25 AM

Good job, appreciate the post. Sounds like your persistence was richly rewarded.

Grandpa Lynn · 02-05-2004, 10:44 AM

Way to go bud..
Grandpa

SHOUGALNITE · 02-05-2004, 12:13 PM

RichH · 02-05-2004, 11:26 PM

SH22,

Awesome!!!

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

It sure is fun to see those big hogs swim off to complete their journey.

OuhtforTrouht · 02-05-2004, 11:49 PM

Congrats SH 22

your actions speak very highly of you, you're the epotime of a true sportsman, and are to be commended

I'm sure your fishing Karma will be repaid 10X in the future. I'm assuming you caough that beast in the Clack, and boy that river could use a shot of all the good genes it can get. You really give the stock a boost today. Go get some more, and enjoy your eatin' fish!! Later!