beaverfan said:
I'm not sure where you heard that from but it doesn't really sound right. All the push/pull method does is simulates the same action they do to breathe. Notice when pushing the fish the gills close up and when you pull them back they flare out. That's how a fish breathes! To get "new" water into there gills they flare them out, to expel that water they close them. Now if you were tof push and pull them to fast/hard you could easily harm the fish. But a slow push/pull method is just getting there gills going again, it is a proven method that has been used for years. Of course if you have any evidence to prove otherwise I'd gladly read it.
The following is a reply taken verbatim from Grant Scheele on an Ifish thread about handling native steelhead. You might not know who Im talking about, but Grant is a very respected fishing guide here in oregon along with being a sponsored Ifish guide. If he is saying it, then I'll believe it.
OK, in reverse order my three biggest points on handling native steelhead.
#3) don't boat a native steelhead. Get on the beach or just release it from the net hanging on the side of the boat.
#2) don't try to take a picture of a native in the boat. They will slip out of your hand I don't care how strong you are. If you are strong enough to hold the fish then you have crushed it's spine.
#1) HERE IS MY BIG ONE!: DON'T pull he fish backwards and forwards to revive it like they do on TV.
That is one of the single most damaging things you can do to a fish's gills. Not different than stuffing water up a humans nose.
It flat out drowns the fish if done to much and kills them if done only a little. Here is why.
People will note than when a Steelhead is pulled backward through the water that it will usually kick right out of your hands whether it is ready or not.
It is no different than if a human just ran a marathon and lay exhausted in the grass and moments later somebody stuffed water up the runners nose. The runner would jump up to get away but would probably not run very far before collapsing again.
The steelhead does the same thing. He will quickly jump out of the proud fisherman's hand and while the fisherman is patting himself on the back for a great release the steelhead will be floating belly up underwater to probably never regain it's life.
People, I see it over and over every year on many TV shows. They are the worst culprits.
I see it on the river every year and while I normally mind my own business I have made it my small cause to politely explain the proper way to revive a fish.
Just hold the Steelhead with the current going into it's mouth. I know the water is bitter cold but it is your duty to keep the fish upright until it can stay upright on it's own.
I have had to keep my hands in the water for over 5 minutes before and had the fish sit in front of me while my clients and I quietly talk for another half hour while the fish stays upright while supporting itself. (They are so pretty like this and if you get your face close enough they will actually look you in the eye) After a half hour, somebody will move to fast or talk to loud and the fish will take off so fast it startles you.
It is a beautiful thing when that happens!
Great Thread and will all of the recent posts of people catching their first Steelhead, appropriate timing also.
) I took out the hook and grabbed the tail to guide it, but as you will see she had a lot of spunk.:lol::lol: 
