Here are two photos of buck hatchery Steelhead, that were caught on the Oregon Coast’s Wilson River.http://www.katu.com/features/fishtales/15126246.html
Doug
Nice! I stopped at the Winchester Dam (N. Umpqua) fish ladder on the way home from work today and saw several large steelies in there. The water is clearing up and the level is lowering some. Looks like the winters are coming up. Hooray!!
Gary
I walked to the other end of Amacher today…that’s close to the fish ladder BackCastWards speaks of and watched as a guide got his client hooked up to a nice fish (released btw) then I spoke with a driftboater that said his boat and another had netted 15 between them just two days ago. Maybe I need to venture upriver Saturday…shoot, Friday too maybe !
Cheers,
MontanaMoose
I’m not a steelhead fisherman but I am willing to learn. Why did you call them hatchery bucks? I take it that they are males, but what else is meant by that. Fantastic looking fish indeed.
I have a new St Croix Legend Elite with a Ross Rhythm mounted on it and I have to go fish our local tribs here in a month or so and see if I can tackle one of these steelhead. Looking forward to learning more.
Sorry for the dumb question.
Rick
Rick,
It isn’t a dumb question. Bucks & Hens, are Male & Female Steelhead. Winter fish are bigger than Summer Steelhead. I think Oregon Coast Rivers are popular because they are close to the Pacific Ocean, where the fish first arrive in fresh water. The Coast Rivers also clear faster from heavy rain, like we have had all Winter here in the Willamette Valley.
Doug
and, Rick, Sorry if you knew this but you asked…a hatchery fish is raised by man…in a hatchery and the smolts released in the river…fish that spawn naturally in the river are “natives”.
Rick, The hatchery fish are distinguished from the natives by the lack of an adipose fin (between the tail and dorsal). At least in California.
Rich
Oregon’s Sandy River Steelhead;http://www.katu.com/features/fishtales/15660682.html
Doug
Big Buck;http://www.katu.com/features/fishtales/15859247.html
Doug
Doug, love it …cut my teeth on the Siletz:cool: