1st Post (trophy steelhead pic)

SnowDog · 02-21-2004, 07:20 PM

Hi Everyone,

Since this is my first post, I thought I would start off by telling you all about my favorite "trophy" steelhead. Years ago I used to spend allot of time fishing CnR steelhead up here near Seattle. My close friend and I fished almost every morning at one special spot that always held good numbers of very bright fish. On this particular morning, my friend had been out partying pretty hard the night before, and was still a bit under the weather. While he was tying up his float and jig, I made the first cast into the water, and hooked into this beautiful hen. After chasing the fish about 300 yards down stream, I finally was able to slide the fish into the shallows, where I just stood there and marveled at how big and beautiful she was. This was the biggest steelhead I had ever landed by far, and as I recall, my heart was pounding so hard, I though it was going to come right out of my chest. As I stood there for what seemed like eternity (5 seconds?) staring at this fish, I was amazed at how easy it was for me to justify releasing her. Back then I wondered what would happen when I landed that first trophy, and I learned right then and there that releasing such a nice fish is a rewarding experience and that I would never ever have a even considered bonking it.

I never got any measurements, and I would love to hear from you folks how much you think this fish weighed. By my estimates, I would say it is between 21 and 23 pounds, but might have gone a bit larger based on her girth. What do you think?

Here is the photo. Not a great high quality shot, as I believe it was taken with a disposable camera under very lowlight conditions. Enjoy!

[img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwAAAKEVUg1TTc*zYKkTR9Bs4M4l*wj1RHzvgrC5ZUcloO8I8 wydflFPu5lyofVmPssQ0UYsKyby3xUZUPIPNlIgy*xsdnGnNYg 4l2ybJxs/elwell-23p2.jpg?dc=4675460831634580363[/img]

Canyon Man · 02-21-2004, 07:24 PM

Erik- Sweet hen...looks kind of similar to something I saw a couple weeks ago, but a bit larger!!! I would say about 22 or so. Absolutely beautiful! Looking forward to hooking up quite a bit in the future.
Scott aka Canyon Man

Ty · 02-21-2004, 07:25 PM

Nice fish!!!! Big lady fer sure!!!!!

fishinpoor · 02-21-2004, 07:29 PM

welcome to ifish,that is a beautiful fish,i'd say your pretty close on size,20 plus [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Stz ll · 02-21-2004, 08:04 PM

Beautiful fish.

Welcome aboard!!

ZaQ · 02-21-2004, 10:06 PM

17 pounds :whazzup:

stlhdr1 · 02-21-2004, 11:37 PM

C'mon ZaQ.... You need to get out and catch a few steelhead.... :tongue: In my eyes that fish goes 20-21lbs... Nice length around 39" and girth around 20" or so... Strong guess but that shoule equal somewhere around what I mentioned...

Having caught several in my life you'd recognize one..

All in all that is a hell of a trophy.. Sure wish I could catch a hen over 20lbs.. I've done in over 1500 steelhead in my life and never have touched one of them beauties...

It's dang near as rare as winning the lottery as catching a hen over 20....
Keith :grin:

[ 02-22-2004, 12:44 AM: Message edited by: stlhdr1 ]

The Steelheader · 02-22-2004, 03:18 AM

Uh oh...... I hear Mr. Dorkfish coming..........

Bob Barthlow · 02-22-2004, 06:31 AM

Nice feesh, and welcome to the board!

parker · 02-22-2004, 09:22 AM

Nice hen. Hen's over 20 pounds are truly a rare critter and truly a trophy steelhead.

Your fish is up there. May or may not be over 20, but as hens go, that one is sure beautiful. I'd take that fish any day!

Regardless of the exact weight, that is a trophy steelhead!

Grantspastor · 02-22-2004, 10:33 AM

A dandy for sure! Looks like 20 pound range to me. I catch them like that all the time (in my dreams)

Gizmo Man · 02-22-2004, 10:40 AM

Having put a 21# in the boat, it looks like that one would fit in with your estimate.

Good looking fish whether it is 18 or 24.

Giz...

FishinMission · 02-22-2004, 10:42 AM

A dandy yes...But I'm with Zaq...would put it in the 15-20lb range. Not that it matters, but I can usually "call" a fish's weight within a pound or two.

Mark

Birdnest · 02-22-2004, 02:47 PM

It should be noted the guy in the picture is 6'10" and around 400lbs.

Anyway, welcome to Ifish and regardless of the exact weight, it's safe to call a trophy.

Joe

SHOUGALNITE · 02-23-2004, 12:14 PM

Welcome

KillerDave · 02-23-2004, 12:42 PM

I'm with Zaq-17 pounds.

My first 20+ steelhead turned out to be...17 pounds. Mine was not a chrome bright and fat as yours, which is truly a steelhead to be proud of. Nice job!

STRIKE ZONE · 02-23-2004, 02:06 PM

That fish went 20 to 21 pounds.I just caught a 39.5" by 21" it went 22.5 lbs.What a real nice hen.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

snit · 02-23-2004, 02:13 PM

Welcome! Definately a big fish! I've landed 3 bucks over 20# that were "taped out". Your fish is not 15#, and I'd guess right at 20#, give or take a little. She's really thick, and she carries that mass all the way to the wrist of the tail. Most of us have never seen a hen that big, and they're so different looking than bucks. The biggest hen I've seen was a 28# beauty with c-lice on the Quinalt. AWESOME!

FrogPond · 02-23-2004, 02:46 PM

She's a beauty!...and the fish ain't bad either...

just funnin ya a bit about the hair! :grin:

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Congratulations & welcome aboard!

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 02-23-2004, 02:48 PM

Welcome...Awesome Fish too...

little hunter · 02-23-2004, 02:53 PM

nice fish

SPAZZ · 02-23-2004, 03:09 PM

Chas · 02-23-2004, 03:51 PM

Great Hen, 18-20#ish is about right. Great to have someone on board that appreciates the gift, and best of all, not only did you get a pic, but you let her continue on her journey for the future.
Wecome!!!!!!!!!
Chas

"My birthday began with the water"
Dylan Thomas

fishingfirst · 02-23-2004, 03:59 PM

Well since no one knows for sure, and everyone else is going low............I say nice 25lber! :grin: Throw out the high and the low and your average should be right about what you said.

Welcome aboard, and thanks for sharing the opening story in a very cool way.....with a very nice steelhead.

Scott

Beerbelly · 02-23-2004, 04:24 PM

Welcome!!!!! 12 to 15lbs

chinookin · 02-23-2004, 04:32 PM

awsome fish!