How many have hit the 20 pound mark

BigSpinner · 01-14-2002, 08:42 AM

I was wondering how many people have caught a 20 pound steelhead. And if you could please tell me what river you were fishing, and what you were using and if you got a pic. Any info or tips would be great thanks.

Jeremy,

TH · 01-14-2002, 08:48 AM

19# is as big as I have gone... happened twice last year.. once on the OP (Sol Duc) drifting a pink worm.. No pic I wish I had but it was raining so hard and the pics came out terrible.

The second time on the SF of the Coquille.. rag and a shrimp tail.. it was a hatchery fish too.

Jim · 01-14-2002, 09:29 AM

My first 20+ was on the Satsop when I was 15... very boring fish...just hung out there, made a couple of nice runs and then came to the boat. Second was a Kalama Summer Run...anything but boring probably the 2nd most exciting fish I have had the pleasure of catching or seeing caught. It was ballistic from the beginning.

Jim

Tilla · 01-14-2002, 12:01 PM

Got a C&R nate 20+ with Guide Mike Sexton on the Sky about 6 years ago side drifting. I set the hook when the fish was in the air, I didn't want to hit 'em too soon. He told me it would be a few years before I would get anything like it again. He's been right so far.

birdhunter · 01-14-2002, 12:12 PM

Got my first 20.295907258064517...(okay we'll round down to 20) lb steelie this winter. Big beautiful bright native hen I caught in December on a #4 blue fox spinner. I won't tell you where I was fishing, but the river starts w/ a "C" and ends w/ a "lackamas". Fight was awesome! She dragged me around for a good 20 minutes before I was able to get her in. She was released after a barrage of photos. Being instilled w/ a sense of irony, the fishing gods saw to it that those pictures didn't come out. Disposable camera + low light + no flash + bottom of canyon = 13 pictures of a 34" silver streak.

Luckily I do have some witlesses...I mean witnesses, who can attest to it.

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: birdhunter ]

Tanner · 01-14-2002, 01:18 PM

Got into my first 20+ lb steelie last year on the Nestucca. It was my wifes first drift down the stuc with me. I hooked the fish on a bobber and jig with 8 lb line. As soon as I hooked it I handed her the rod. After about a 10 minute battle through a rock garden on the upper river I finally got the fish close enough to release it. Was not able to get a pic. I did however get a pic of the next fish my wife caught that day. A nice chrome native hen that I estimated at 17 lbs.
As soon as I can figure out how to use a scanner I will post the pic.

Eric · 01-14-2002, 02:09 PM

I've had 3 bona fide 20lber's over the years....all winter fish. Two right at 20 lbs. and a 24 1/2 lb. beast caught in 1996 on 8lb. mainline and 6lb. leader (no kidding!) I was using my summer gear because the water was so low and clear and as luck would have it I hook the fish of a lifetime. One long, line peeling run and then a 20 min. tug of war. I'll never forget the sheer "deadweight" feeling of that fish. I could leverage the fish (Loomis 1141) but not with any authority.

I'll probably never beat it but then, that's what I said before.

All fish came from the olympic penninsula.

rags · 01-14-2002, 02:11 PM

I got my first 20lb Steelhead fishing a rag with eggs on a Olympic Peninsula river a few years ago. I was fishing a rag with eggs. I've always said my first 20lber is going on my wall and it is presently hanging in my home office. It took me several years to break the 20lb mark. The funny thing of it is I caught another 20lber the next day! Since then I have landed and released two more. Are we bragging or what? I Love Rags! :grin:

4Salt · 01-14-2002, 02:55 PM

I joined that club on the Hoh river in WA, March of '93. Since then I've gotten a few others over 20# They were all bucks, and truth be told, the fight wasn't as impressive as some eloquent outdoor journalists had led me to believe. They were impressive to look at though. Personally, give me a chrome native hen about 14 or 15 lbs. fresh from the salt. Now you've got a fight on your hands. :grin:

Beek · 01-14-2002, 03:57 PM

Got my first 20 this year on the ******** in central BC on a blade, was a doe too.

BTW, Parker, whats up with that big Quinault fish. That has to be the ugliest boot I've ever seen, the things falling apart! :grin:

Heres what a big Steelie looks like. Guess the weight, remebering that the guy holding the pic(not me)is 6'4 220:

DanS · 01-14-2002, 05:17 PM

Holy crap, Beek, that is a specimen. :shocked:

I landed a 21 lb. steelhead in the Satsop in 1989, and haven't topped 20 since. Every year a get a few in the 17-19 lb range, but the 20 pound mark has eluded me since that day.

I had gone to the Wynoochee earlier in the day with a buddy and proceeded to lose a dozen drift rigs in about 20 casts. Pi$$ed, I said, "let's go." After I had simmered down on the drive home I said "Let's hit the Satsop". I was able to wade to a spot my buddy couldn't reach since I had chest waders and he was wearing hip waders. On my first cast in, I felt what I thought was a hit.........set the hook, and was hung up.

I broke off, and my buddy started harassing me about the "stick fish" I has just hooked. I retied, rebaited and tossed a little further out than I was the first time. Tap....tap...WHAM! When I set the hook, the fish exploded from the hole, did a cartwheel, and headed for the Chehalis. I had about 10 wraps left on my spool when I got it stopped, and it came to the surface a thrashed about wildly. We could both see it was a big fish........my friend's eyes were the size of saucers.

My friend estimated the fight lasted between 20-30 minutes. I spanked that fish. Looking back, a picture would have been enough, and the river would have been better off with that BADA$$ fish's genes floating around. Live and learn.

It was a phenomenal fight, with a near spooling followed by several powerful runs, jumps, and thrashing around. Man, if I could get every fish I hooked to fight like that...........

blacktail · 01-14-2002, 05:43 PM

My largest Steelhead was similar to Eric's experience. Although mine wasn't quite 20.

I was fishing the Sandy last year - low water.
Float fishing with a rubber egg, yarn and a sandshrimp tail.

Fishing with my 1141 and 8 lb. mainline. Caught and carefully released a beautiful native. Another fisherman that walked down to witness part of the fight and the release guessed it to be 20 lbs. I figured about 18. Either way, it was quite a fight on the 1141.

Mike

fop · 01-14-2002, 05:52 PM

Big Spinner, here's a couple.

20 pound Summerrun doggin' eggs

27 pound Buck pullin' a Wiggle Wart

26 pound Buck pullin' a Wee Wart

20 pound Hen pullin' a #30 HotShot.

Also have a 25 pound Buck mounted driftin' eggs.

I don't kill them anymore. Release the Natives, please. fop

[ 01-14-2002: Message edited by: fop ]

dawhunt · 01-14-2002, 05:53 PM

Up till last friday my biggest was 18 lbs,caught on the Washougal about 9 yrs ago and then came FRIDAY :smile: :smile: :smile: ,I may never get another but I got one :smile: .NOW for the state Record if a guys going to dream might as well dream big :smile:
Bob

HOGTIDE · 01-14-2002, 06:14 PM

#25.25 casting spinners in the Columbia.15 feet of water off of the Kalama Club. Lucky 'R' 5 in H&H Brass. (Sept. 1980?) *partner got a #24 the next day, in my boat.

#21 & #23 anchoring a Cascade 6 Green Tip Rainbow in 11 feet of water off the Kalama River Delta. (Late Aug. 1981?)

#21 anchoring off of Sundial, in 24 feet of water with a #4 Backmore Green Tip Rainbow. (Aug 1984?)

...just #20...actually #19.75 6 hours later when weighed at home. Sundial, again. Same riggin' out in Chinook water at 35'. (M-Day Weekend 1986?)

Funny how I can remember all of the tackle details like it was yesterday, but I really don't recall the exact year.

? High water? Did I get a #20er with you and Ron? Maybe an upper 'teener' ?

rhansme · 01-14-2002, 06:42 PM

I caught this steelie in 1990 on the Lewis and Clark river. The water was clear and on the way down. Caught on eggs and a pink corkie. What a fight. It took me 20 mins to land this beauty. I was by myself in a perfect location. No snags and lots of room for it to run.
40 inches long 20 lbs on the nose.
http://www.ifish.net/uploads/50381913.jpg

Firedog · 01-14-2002, 06:55 PM

I have five that were between 20# and 25#, released them all. They all came out of the Kalama in the 80's. All Summer runs. Two on the fly rod and the rest on Spoons. Sure miss those big nate summer runs in the Kalama.

Grant Scheele · 01-14-2002, 07:30 PM

BigSpinner · 01-14-2002, 07:54 PM

That is great, I really want one of those big steelhead now. I will get my chance soon.

Jeremy,

stlhdr1 · 01-14-2002, 07:59 PM

Well at the age of 26 I've landed 4 steelhead over 20, a 20.2, a 21 and a 21.8 all winter fish and lost a winter native Jan. 6th on the EF that was in the upper 20's that we had to the boat about 6 times. It was hooked on a 1082 Loomis and 6 lb test and size #4 hook in low winter conditions on eggs and it made me SICK, I'm still sick thinking about it. As for summer fish I landed a 25.5# hatchery buck and it was taken on the columbia at the mouth of the lewis and have landed about 8 others between the 18-19lb mark. But my lifelong fishing partner James at the age of 25 has banked 4 winter runs a 20, 20.5, 22, and a 25.5 and I was there when he lost a 28-29 all were on the lewis and SW WA rivers, and he's also landed 3 summer runs over 20, a 22 hatchery buck, a 21 hatchery buck and a 20.5# native buck landed and released on the lewis freedrifting about 4 years ago with sealice on it... What a beauty, it's probably my favorite fish of all the fish we've landed together.
Parker has a pic of that fish, if he reads this maybe he'll put it up...
Keith :grin:

salmonlips · 01-14-2002, 08:00 PM

My one and only 20+ was on the East Fork Lewis back when Lucia Falls was legal, 1984 or so, weighing in at 24# 6oz. It was the biggest steelhead I'd ever seen till a guy walked up from downriver while they were weighing mine at the cafe carrying one that was 25# 2oz. I'd always said that if I caught one over 20 it would go on the wall, instead I took it home smoked and canned it.

lightline · 01-14-2002, 11:05 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by BigSpinner:
I was wondering how many people have caught a 20 pound steelhead. And if you could please tell me what river you were fishing, and what you were using and if you got a pic. Any info or tips would be great thanks.

Jeremy,<hr></blockquote>

parker · 01-14-2002, 11:22 PM

staff.washington.edu/parker

Click on Steelhead. Take your pick. The river as well as technique used is listed for all photos.

Stz ll · 01-14-2002, 11:43 PM

I caught a 21 pound steelhead on the Clackamas River in 1984. I was using a Hot n Tot with and shrimp. I must have put the shrimp right into his mouth. I didn't even get the rod in the holder before He took it. Not only do I have a picture of it I have the mount hanging on my family room wall.

Carver_OR · 01-15-2002, 06:53 AM

A Thankgiving trip on the Deschutes gave me three to the bank around twenty pounds all on a fly and we had a cam corder to film them. I look at that film every few years..Damn i love the "D"

Hooks sharp?
Pat

parker · 01-15-2002, 07:41 AM

Beek - That fish was the first fish of the day. It sat in the dead well amongst other fish the entire day. It was a dark buck, but not *that* dark. The picture doesn't do it any justice.

My camera naturally died on me right before i caught that fish. In all honesty, I would have let that fish go, but since I was young, stupid, on an indian reservation, was my largest steelhead, and had no camera, we decided to keep it.

Worst thing I've ever done! :depressed:

It actually was a lame fight, to boot. Very uneventful fish, other than it was 27 pounds.

Now, I just take a measurement and digital photo of anything over 20. I'd rather try to keep the genetic make up of these fish around.

Stlhdr1 - I'll put those photos on-line for you so you can post away! I was going to post that photo of you with the 5lb spawned-out summer run, but opted not to! :shocked: Ah, your buddies!

[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: parker ]

hawgcatcher · 01-15-2002, 09:43 AM

I have had several in the high teens over the years. Many Chinook that topped 20 but no steelhead. I hooked one that would have been over 20 in the Wilson several years ago, up high. I saw a couple in low water and cast a pearl corkie up above them and was drifting down through them. One started to rise up to grab it and all of a sudden, the log on the bottom of the hole came up. Oops. Not a log. It grabbed my corkie and we fought, rather he fought. I just held on for dear life. This went on for twenty minutes. Finally I got it up for my friend to net. It was hugh. I thought it was a chinook, but I could see the markings and it was a big steelie. He was ready for the net, saw us, said goodby with a flip he jumped and snapped the ten pound test maxima. Weakness, stress, and just plain pain took over and I sat there for 10 minutes just looking at the water.

I at least felt that it had gone on to spawn and maybe some day I would get an offspring. Wrong, not yet. :depressed:

Fishen Fool · 01-15-2002, 03:50 PM

Exactly 21# over 15 years ago. Caught on the 6 th to 4 th bridge run on the Neustucca. It was a great day as I also landed 6 other fish that day and the other two people in the boat didn't have a fish on!

santiamflyguy · 01-15-2002, 10:41 PM

19.1lbs just below mouth of three rivers on the nestucca in june of '98 on a fly... guy below me thought i'd hooked a big chinook...so did i until i saw the chrome bright goodness...even better, since it was a hatchery, took 'er home and mmmm barbeque.

18.5 on little n. fork of the santiam just this winter. little egg fly.

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 01-15-2002, 11:09 PM

Got trophies in all the other salmonids, but sockeye and steelhead.

DanS and Osprey are going to help me in the 20+ club for steelies, right guys? Right? :tongue: DanS will have no problem getting one this year: good weather, good conditions, and one helicopter. Cue tan, bikini women with Higgins and it will be a regular Magnum P.I. episode. :grin:

stlhdr1 · 01-15-2002, 11:18 PM

Heres a couple of the pics of the 20+ers..

First me with a 25.5# summer hatchery buck

Second a 21.5# winter nate

And last my favorite pic of all a 20.5-21lb summer nate James hooked and released

I love them 20+ steelies..
Keith :grin:

Jennie@ifish · 01-16-2002, 05:58 AM

I did, but I could never prove it. No witness!
So, did I really do it? YES!
The kids were inside playing nintendo. It was a wild one. I nearly had a heart attack!
I was screaming at the top of my voice, "GET THE CAMERA!!! ANDREWWWWWWWWWWWW DAVIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDDD SOMEONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
No luck. Finally let it slip away.
I'll never forget that day.
J

parker · 01-16-2002, 09:52 AM

Yeah, I did the same thing Jennie. Caught and released a fish that was easily 30 pounds. Was another dark fish - looked a lot like the one Stlhdr1 is holding up, except larger.

No one witnessed the epic battle (almost spooled me!), and I didn't have a camera on me back in those days.

Once I got the fish up to my knees (I always wade out to tail and release fish, I never bring them on shore), I tailed it, released the hook, dropped my rod/reel in the water, cradled it's massive belly, and held it up to for no one to see but me.

Just as my buddy came over the small hill to see if I was having any luck, the fish swam out of my grip upon some reviving and was gone! He didn't witness any of it!

Oh well! At least it made me happy! :smile: