Fish, Fowl, Fur

[VikingsGuy]

Just expressing my opinion about what matters most to me. Obviously hauling in big lazy greasy fish means a lot to you and I know you're not alone. Some of my best friends still get a kick out of fishing for big Flathead lakers, including my very best friend brother. Fortunately most of the laker snakes they catch in Flathead these days (I think the limit is still 35/day?) are excellent eating thanks to FWP introduction of mices shrimp ... which totally trashed a fantastic kokanee and world famous bull trout fishery. But there's still a few big grease balls left in the lake (in fact they have to be released even though FWP is supposedly trying everything to get the laker explosion under control - thanks to charter boats influence peddling). Anyway, don't get your shorts in a knot just because I ride a different wave. And I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings debunking claims about lake trout being some kind of spectacular fighting fish. It just ain't so and anyone with any experience has to agree. They are a bit more frisky when hauled off the shallow spawning beds but not much. Typically a seven pound laker will hardly ring the bell on my pole and maybe not even trip the downrigger release. Same size salmon at the same depth from same boat on the same day will almost break my pole when it hits! It is what it is.

Thank you for proving my point, although for those who have read many of your other posts little additional proof was needed.

 

[BackofBeyond]

If I'd known what I do now 20 yrs ago, I would have taken a 2 year break between HS and college and just fished steelies.

I tried a year of college at LCSC in Lewiston. My grades did not survive steelhead season. Should have taken a year off… would have been better off.

 

[geetar]

When you catch one of these on a flyrod it's pretty easy to become fascinated by them.

Beautiful fish! Bucket list freshwater fish for me.

 

[shumhow]

Brook Trout
Turkey
Whitetail Deer
Black Bear

 

[AlaskaHunter]

Halibut or Ling Cod
Sept. Blue Grouse in the High Country
Moose calling during the rut
Wolverine

 

[Irrelevant]

When I think steel I think Feb/March, coast, leaves off, moss covered, grey skies that periodically change to bright spring-time sun filtering through the canopy, the occasional light drizzle, and slightly off-color deep green runs... If I could just get up to the Situk.

Not going to get the chance this year.

State announces full closure to coastal steelhead fishing to support conservation following indications of lower-than-expected returns

In an effort to meet management objectives and provide necessary protection for dwindling wild steelhead populations, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced a full closure to all sport fishing throughout the Washington Coast and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The full...

wdfw.wa.gov