Help identifying fish

Echskech · Mar 19, 2021

Last weekend I took my girlfriend out for one of her first real fly fishing trips. Late in the day she hooked up with the Chrome bright fish that was all of 15 in. It's adipose was clipped, but it looked a little small to be any game fish. Could someone tell me if this was a Jack Salmon or a sea run cutthroat?

Sorry in advance for the vague picture but we were trying to get the fish back in the water fast.

troutdude · Mar 19, 2021

Not a cuttie. Maybe a steelie smolt.

Which stream is that?

Echskech · Mar 19, 2021

troutdude said:
Not a cuttie. Maybe a steelie smolt.

Which stream is that?

We were fishing just below the mouth of Eagle Creek on the Clackamas. I guess there's a hatchery on Eagle Creek. It was just strange that such a small fish was clipped.

Admin · Mar 19, 2021

Echskech said:
It was just strange that such a small fish was clipped.

I heard stories that hatchery trout damage fins while living in concrete reservoirs. Don't know if it's true.

BrandonBeach · Mar 19, 2021

That’s a KEEPER right there....

Not a bad trout either.

Rainbow trout,

BB

jamisonace · Mar 19, 2021

A little late for steelhead smolt but that's what it looks like.

Irishrover · Mar 19, 2021

They are smaller on their way out. There is a hatchery on Eagle Creek and they do release steelhead. So more likely than not a steelhead smolt. We have caught them in the Clackamas before and in the Willamette while springer fishing. Looks like it was a nice day on the water.

Help identifying fish

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