Saving the Steelhead's Mojo

[Pilar]

Bryan
Chromer
Member # 1731

posted 03-25-2002 09:35 PM
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Hey All,

I have a question. Although my first question was met with an amazing amount of hostility I am going to ask another one...
Is it proper or moral to be targeting native steelhead late in the season?
I ask this because last week I landed a beautiful hatchery steelhead that spit her eggs at the bank and during the latter portion of the fight. BTW, although the fish was a beautiful charmer, I thought for sure it was a summer until I saw the eggs spit, the meat was poor. I UNDERSTAND that it was a hatchery fish and it is extremely late for them. I have seen the same thing happen with native fish as well. I have to wonder how many steelhead we rob of their sexual implements by targeting native steelhead, and I believe with the best intentions and always practicing catch and release? If we are truly concerned with the future of Nate is it wise or even moral to target a fish that has a good chance of exhausts their sexual implements, or as I like to call it mojo, while we fight them for sport? I mean what is the difference between killing a native steelhead at the bank or having the native steelhead exhaust their mojo while we fight them late in the season? I think that if we limit the seasons of fishing there is a better chance for population growth if we don't target the fish late in the season. I understand that there are already season restrictions on some rivers and that is a good thing but I think that it is something to think about for all rivers and even shorten the season. I am a meat fisherman and take all the hatchery fish I can but it seems a little asinine to me that we are trying to save the native steelhead and yet at the peak of their sexual maturity we exhaust their mojo while fighting them on the end of our line. I know I have seen it happen on the bank many times and I have to wonder how many times it happens in the water while we fight them when we can see...? Just a question....
bryan

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Fish HARD or go HOME!

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Posts: 15 | From: Gresham | Registered: Nov 2001 | IP: Logged

jr
Fry
Member # 2022

posted 03-25-2002 11:20 PM
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Good post I don't care what anyone says your dead on no one wants to admit it becuase then they cuddent fish the late run dig deep and think

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can't catch a fish if you're line isn't in the water

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Posts: 10 | From: clackamas | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

ampersat
Chromer
Member # 727

posted 03-26-2002 06:48 AM
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i don't even fish the native run. it's just preference really - i like to eat fish. if i'm fishing for table fare and happen to hook a native, that's no problem. but when there are no hatchery fish to be had, i pass. one thing about it is that no matter how good your catch and release is, some fish will die from the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles and that can be as much as 24 hours later. the larger the fish, the harder the fight, the more lactic acid builds up in the muscles, the higher the risk they'll die. plus, you run the risk of getting a bleeder which is definitely doomed. overall, these kinds of mortality are definitely low, somewhere around 1 to 2%. never thought about the spawning issue though (probably because i've never landed one that close to spawning).

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"it's alright little brother, there are more!"

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Posts: 274 | From: tigard | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

Alligator
Chromer
Member # 1912

posted 03-26-2002 07:57 AM
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Bryan,

Good post and question. I have never caught a native Steelhead that was spitting mojo. I suggest you quit fishing! You bad boy Kidding of course!

I would hate the thought of this happening, but first thought is how many of the I fishers experience this (Native Mojo loss)? When exactly to the Natives spawn per river? My unknowing guess is during Springer seasion, and that should take care of problem .

I'll be watching for more post on this subject.
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Posts: 67 | From: Oregon City | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

Pilar
Ifish Forum Guide
Member # 270

posted 03-26-2002 08:22 AM
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Well said Ampersat. I usually only target the hats. You have to believe the nates recover and get on with the egg laying. Or maybe stop fishing strictly catch and release.

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The bend is your friend!

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Posts: 1652 | From: Portland, Or., U.S.A | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged