"Trophy" Steelhead Rivers

[Trophy]

After seeing some truly trophy steelhead pictures recently, I was wondering which rivers in the Northwest (OR, WA, CA - no Canada, AK rivers) are considered trophy steelhead rivers. By trophy, I mean fish that are at least 15#, but perhaps others may have different standards.

I am aware of the Olympic Peninsula rivers in WA and the Smith River in CA, but I can't think of a river in OR that clearly stand out as a monster river. The OR record came from the Columbia in 1970, and the Rogue and Umpqua are known to have some big fish. However, I would like to hear what you all think are the TROPHY Steelhead Rivers!

[sparkleboy]

Regarded by most as "the" trophy steelhead river in the world: the Kispiox in Canada. Home of the world record steelhead caught by rod and reel.
I remember reading a report on this river, where they caught fish and tested them for their age, and they had caught (and released...) a 20 plus pound female that was returning to spawn for her sixth time...
That's what I call trophy. I could care less about the fishing and catching part. That is just amazing.

[Lure Dragger]

The Columbia river and The Clearwater in Idaho are about the best in this area. I caught 14, 16, and 18 pounder yesterday. The day before I saw about a 20 pounder caught. These are all Idaho "B" runs headed for the clearwater. I have heard reports of a few 30 pound steelhead caught in the clearwater every year.

[Grantspastor]

The Smith River in No. California kicks out the occasional 20+ fish.

[Fishing Maniac]

Main stem Nehalem, Siletz, and Sandy would be my top 3 choices.

[Fishin Magician]

I have landed 4 in the last 5 years on the Wilson that were at or over 20........the biggest being 25#. One on the Trask that was at 20......
JB

[Steelie King]

I would agree with Lure Dragger. My #1 choice is the Clearwater. It produces more 15lb+ fish than any other river I know. Remember all those fish need to get there by way of the Columbia.

[SKP]

The T....... River for sure!

[ 01-16-2004, 02:51 PM: Tualatin River Message edited by: SKP ]

SKP

[ 01-16-2004, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: SKP ]

[Spot]

SKP,

Keep the T-River under your hat! There aren't many places anymore where you can catch 30lb Steelhead all by yourself. Don't ruin it by spreading the word all over the internet!

[fishrunner]

The Clearwater is aweful. Unless you fish with the masses near Lewiston...........that is a great place.
Fishrunner

[Kentucky Hog Hunter]

Olympic Pennensula...

The Hoe is one of the best trophy rivers I hear for Metal Heads and you can get a trophy tag that allows you to keep 1 Nate I believe...

[GutZ]

KHH
You may retain one Wild Steelhead per day up to 5 a year total from the Hoh, Quilayute system (Bogacheil, Calawah, Sol Duc) and a few others.

We did our best to get this regulation changed to ZERO.

Please release Wild Steelhead.

Try the Quinalt if you want to bonk one. It is not in Washington.

[RichH]

Pretty much pick a river and go. They all turn out some big fish every year. The ones that kick out good numbers (good numbers being a relative term) :grin: of big fish tend to be managed more for wild fish so that should give you a clue. Good luck in your search.

[SKP]

Hey grantspastor,

My brother in law caught a 17 pound steelhead on the Smith in the mid 80's. He lived up there dredging for gold for 1.5 years. He never got any more gold, then what would buy supplies. He only struck it rich in silver (steelhead) not gold. He said fishing was unbelievable up river where his camp was.

Do you ever fish the Applegate? I did once or twice years ago with not luck, but this one guy downstream from me was nailing big winter steelhead with night crawlers and a corkie.

SKP :grin:

[C-lice]

I've heard the Tushwallop and the Numbutsus are real trophy waters.

[freespool]

South Fork Coquille or the Elk River for thumb burners.


salmon hugger

[snit]

Any of the Skeena tribs in central BC; like the Kispiox, Babine, etc. The Babine is just awesome!!! We landed 38 fish with 4 over 20#'s, with the largest calculated @ 26.5#!! We lost at least that many more too!!!!! Smallest fish wasn't even in the single digits. These are summerruns, that just love to eat metal. I made 8 cast in one run, with 8 fish hooked, and I lost the first 7 in a row. Several broke me off, while 2 spooled me in that run...wow. They were just huge!!! If ya fish a couple of days, guaranteed hooking a fish over 20#'s and probably several. Oh yeah... 100% C&R too!

[rob allen]

Steelhead are not a species to pursue as a "trophy" in my opinion.. The average shinook is bigger than any steelhead you are likely to catch anywhere in the world.. If you want a trophy i suggest fishing gor chinooks... but thats just my opinion

[Trophy]

I'm so sorry for discussing trophy steelhead :blush: I will never do it again :blush:

[Fishin Magician]

Rob then this thread wasnt meant for you then......why dont you start a thread about trophy chinook rivers. I have caught lets just say lots of salmon and even the 70+ lb'ers didnt do for me what those 20+ lb steelhead did. I think that chinook are way to easy to catch.
Thats my opinion......

[snit]

The average halibut is larger than the average chinook, the average muledeer is larger than the average blacktail, the average largemouth is larger than the average smallmouth?!?!?! You could go on and on....

[rob allen]

Snit point taken...

If i were so inclined to go somewhere because the steelhead were larger than average because of that reason I'd go to the Skeena system.

[Trophy]

Does that mean I can talk about trophy steelhead again?

Well, there doesn't seem to be a concesus for a OR trophy river. I fished the Smith in CA, but that river is a tough river to catch a fish, let alone a trophy. Was thinking about going to Olympic Peninsula rivers, but after reading some vandalism reports I didn't want to have to worry about it while fishing. Can someone tell me about their experience at an OP river, positive or negative?

[Fishrite]

The Dean River in B.C. hands down. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

[rob allen]

never had a bad experience on the OP I go up that way a couple times a winter and though i have had limited succcess it's been mostly due to my choice of gear (fly fishing)..

You might consider hireing a tribal guide and fishing the lower Quinault

[LazerFisher]

Big steel in Coastal Oregon rivers, catch and release works...

[snit]

The OP, is awesome too! I agree with Rob also, the Lower Quinalt can be top notch, and the local guides really know their water! I've been fishing it since 1995, and we've never had a bad day (but who does when you're fishing).

[Lure Dragger]

In the last three weeks I have caught 7 fish between 36" and 39". Are these trophy steelhead? I am expecting one over 40" any day now.

[FishinTechnician]

Trophy, my recent one and only trip to the OP was great, lots of fish and we had no difficulties. I did hear of one car break-in at the public access spot we fished. I also heard from a guide that jet sleds are not welcomed by the locals.

Regarding local trophy rivers I have caught 20lb plus steelhead on the Trask, main stem Nehalem and Columbia, but it was years ago. I'm going back to the Nehalem after a long hiatus to see what its pumping out these days. I lost the biggest steelhead I ever hooked there back in the late 60's. Having caught a 25 lber there I would estimate the one I lost to be roughly 28-30lbs. Members of my family hooked several fish in the 20lb class there back in the old days, but never managed to land them. Those were truly wild fish back in those days and would spool, or break you off in a heartbeat. Where we use to fish there wasn't much room to chase them. Straight 25lb line didn't even the odds any either.

[cosmo]

The Salmonberry River off the Nestucca offers a better than average shot at big steelhead.

[SalmonJeff]

ok since I didnt get out with fishin magician today ( sorry John ) I will way in on this. Clear water hands down for a "main stream" river full of guides. Back water type fishing look at the peninsulla rivers. and as far as cosmo goes dont believe him :grin: there are know fish in the salmonberry none at all especially wild steelhead and fall chinooks maybe a good stream for trout . and it is off of the nehalem not the nestuca if we are talking the same salmonberry? but again I repeat there are no big nates in there at all and if there was they really hate drift gear and jigs... But again there are no fish and I agree big chinooks are not the same as big steelhead.

[oolichan]

Originally posted by snit:
Any of the Skeena tribs in central BC; like the Kispiox, Babine, etc. The Babine is just awesome!!! We landed 38 fish with 4 over 20#'s, with the largest calculated @ 26.5#!! We lost at least that many more too!!!!! Smallest fish wasn't even in the single digits. These are summerruns, that just love to eat metal. I made 8 cast in one run, with 8 fish hooked, and I lost the first 7 in a row. Several broke me off, while 2 spooled me in that run...wow. They were just huge!!! If ya fish a couple of days, guaranteed hooking a fish over 20#'s and probably several. Oh yeah... 100% C&R too!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Mind bringing suitable gear next time so our fish aren't dragging metal and 200 yds of fireline around?

[superfly]

I had clients get 4 over 20 lbs in one weekend last year!!! Won't tell you the river but you can e-mail me for a trip.
Peace
Superfly



P.S. I sent one of the photos' to Jenny to put up on the thread.

[ 01-20-2004, 05:27 AM: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

[Gone Fishin]

The Salmonberry River off the Nestucca offers a better than average shot at big steelhead.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Truth is, the Salmonberry is a tributary of the Nehalem, NOT the Nestucca.

I or we catch what I would consider trophy Steelhead every year where I fish. Give me a call and I'll show you how.

-Marty

[metalhead madness]

Cosmo shhhhhhhh. No fish in the salmonberry. If you want trophy fish try Fanno creek :tongue: :shocked:

[superfly]

Thankyou very much for posting the photo Jen !!!
Also please note that this is a Hen !!!!
23 lbs !!!!!!!!!!
Peace
Superfly

[blackdog]

You should begin getting blasted for the way you're handling that native any second now :depressed:

By the way, nice fish! :grin:

[cosmo]

Thanks Marty,
I was thinkin Nehalem while typing Nestucca.

Joe-that fish is unbeleiveable!

[ 01-20-2004, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: cosmo ]

[snit]

Hey ooligan.....how's 15# maxima with 8.5' Gl3's, MH? Ever been spooled? I have , and I enjoy it! That's what happens when you fish fast water, with big fish!!!! Get over it!

[lovetofish]

Amazing fish, superfly! And I hope that nobody
starts commenting about a native out of the water
for a picture. I also hold them up momentarily
for the shot. Some people are too sensitive on this
board about native fish pics. IMHO.

Blast the snaggers, not your fellow steelhead junkies!

Cheers to everyone,

steve

[GutZ]

They are both Beautiful Superfly!

[superfly]

Her Name is Heather Shultz, Her and Here Husband Jason come and fish with me every winter for 3 or 4 days straight and they always do very well, on this particular day she caught 20 lb hens back to back. I Will send Jennie the other PIc and see if she can put it up too.
Peace
Superfly

[MonkeyBoy]

I would have to say the Clearwater. You will see more 17-22 pound fish than anywhere else I have been. I have had trips where the average fish is around 15-17 pounds! If you time it right the fishing is incredible. Plus you have the possibility of catching a 25-27 pound fish which happens every year. Of course those fish go up the Columbia so you can include it, if you can catch them.

[PayDay]

Snit,
Would you mind sending me a pm with some Skeena details? Thanks,
Adiboy

[tailchaser]

A buddy of mine reported to me yesterday that a fish came out of the umpqua this last week that tipped the scales at 28 lbs!! due to the measurements. It was a native, so no official scoring was done. I'm trying to find out what the measurements were on that bad boy, but I guess it was an absolute hog. I'll report the numbers when I find out.

tc