Long line release?

FM2 · 01-30-2002, 12:42 PM

Another suggestion is to only use barbless hooks when the river is primarily full of natives.

MasterCaster · 01-30-2002, 12:52 PM

I have to agree they do fight alot harder.
But that brings up another question I have.
What about Broodstock fish? I havent caught one yet but was wondering on their fight? Seems like it would be pretty close to a nate due to size if nothing else?

Jon :smile: :grin: :smile:

DAB · 01-30-2002, 04:45 PM

Does a native steelhead fight harder than a hatchery fish???? The other day I caught a 6lb.hen hatchery fish that looked like a freshly chromed bumper and 20 min. later I hooked about a 9lb native Buck the little hen made the buck feel like pulling in an old boot. The hen faught much, much harder than the buck. I have caught hatchery fish that have not put up much of a fight. This fall I caught about a 6-1/2 Lb. summer run NATIVE on the dechutes on a 1/16 ounce rooster tail with 4Lb. test line and a little trout rod.If push comes too shuve the Nativies would win 75 percent of the time. I am no expert but have been steelhead fishing 37 years and caught more than my share. NO I AM NOT BRAGING just stating a fact. My favorite thing is to take someone that has never caught a steelhead and see the joy on their face and in their eyes when thy land their first steelhead thats more fun than catching one myself. Keep a tight line and use barbless hooks.....

Tilla · 01-30-2002, 04:56 PM

I just know if it jumps higher than I am tall, I probably will not be taking it home.

Pilar · 01-30-2002, 11:47 PM

I have a dumb question for anyone who will answer. Well actually 2, maybe not so dumb questions.

Can you tell when you hook a steelhead if it is wild before you see it?

I realize this next question will have different answers depending on the method used and how the fisher responds to the bite.

If you know its wild do you change the way you play the fish?

Answering my own questions ...

1) Hell yes! they just fight a whole bunch harder. Seems like this is true for other feesh as well. Coho in the ocean and Kings too.

2) Again yes. I drift fish mostly using the yarn and a slinky. If the fish is a wild one and I get a look and verify I try not to touch it and let it flop until it shakes me off if possible. Also I try to make the battle as short as possible to give the fish a minimal drain on his chi.

We can all agree that natives should not be netted and that deeply hooked fish should be cut loose not operated on. Yes?

What do you think?