Last week from Idaho's Clearwater!

[Fast- eddy]

Idaho B-runs are specially cool in my book.   Double stripper's Rock......

[Smokey River]

Sorry but I have to play devil's advocate here and agree with Young gun for once.

That buck should not have been killed. Yes it is a beautiful fish and yes I too would have fought it and gotten a pic since it is a nice fish (awesome colours) but to kill something like that is just not right. If it's a summer run fish, who cares, still let it go. That thing is far from being good table fair or even edible as far as I am concerned. Yes I am from the coast and can catch chromers, but I'm picky about the fish I kill anywhere (and there are obviously decent looking fish in that river judging from the other pics).

[Fast- eddy]

Hatchery fish must die.......Thats what they are raised for! Does not matter where they come from or where they are raised.

[Bunker]

I would have put it back. But I do love to catch colored up summer bucks. Very neat looking fish! If I were to get a fish mounted I'd perfer it to be a colored up summer Buck. Bet that one made some good spread for some wheat thins!


Bunker

[queets guy]

I agree with Eddy, all hatchery fish should die so they dont try to compete with wild fish in spawning areas.  Even if the buck is no good for table fair to you, I bet someone who is not a fisherman would think its great.....if its missing an adipose, bonk away 

[riverwader]

As I said in my earlier post. I have fished that river for many years and have eaten many pounds of smoked redside steelhead and relished every bite. I wouldn't keep one from over here that color, but those fish are different. I really do hope this doesn't start a stampeed to this river, as I had to be on my rock an hour and a half before fisrt light last week just to get it. Too much pressure now as it is!!!!! I may have to resort to fishing out of a boat, but prefer banking. 

[Grizz]

No adipose = wood shampoo.

[Big Buck]

  could you guys imagine what that fish would look like after a few days in a cooler        i would let it swim........

[riverwader]

Well after reading most of the posts, I don't have to worry about any of you "purists" running over there for those "skanky" fish. To each their own  . If you are looking for CHROME. That river isn't the place. Now you know why I don't post pics, not that I keep dark fish. Too many critiques for me. I do like this site though. I've learned alot about fishing techniques and gear.

[NWRetics]

those fish look like fun! i want to give them and grand ronde a try some day looks like fun

[riverwader]

The Grande Ronde had a banner year after the fish finally went up. Two weeks ago was a blast. Just no way to tell how long they are going to sit in the Snake.

[riverwader]

I didn't fish it two weeks ago. My brother and his son inlaw gave me a report.

[younggun]

thompson fish, skeena watershed fish, coquihalla fish, chehalis fish, all summerruns. They close those systems down to fishing come december 31st. Why? To stop the by catch of wintering summer runs that are preparing to spawn.

[Driftfishnw]

Better than catching ditch pickles.

[younggun]

rather sit home and tie sick spey flies and intruders, i dont fish in late may and june for winter kelts. And i dont fish in feb for winter hold over summers. Those B-run fish are in there before now! They're hold over fish! meaning they've been there, taken their spot on the stream bed in the clearwater system and are waiting for the water to warm in march/april to spawn.

Lots of other things you can fish for in the winter. Trout, bull trout, dolly varden, WINTER steelhead.