my2labs
I fish those rivers every chance I get. I have a hard time retaining wild steelhead but I don't fault anyone that does. It's legal (for now) and so it's your choice.
I will not keep the giants but I'll take a smaller fish if I feel like it. Anything under 8 or 9 lbs I consider fair game.
Good luck! Will you banking it or boating it?
It’s already happened in Washington State.
We’ll float.
And I feel the same way.
Not sure I can bring myself to kill a wild hen. And I will absolutely not kill any wild monsters. Hen or Buck. Breeders!
Small guys may be retained though. If hatchery fish were present though, I’d bi-pass them 100%.
I myself could not kill a wild steelhead. I have released them on a river where they can be harvested but it’s just not me. I usually have steelhead in the freezer anyway. Like @jamisonace said, I won’t judge anybody for it since it is still legal in a few places.
Can you provide an example or two? And I’m not being passive aggressive here... looking to start a real discussion on this topic.
Personally, my views align a lot with Jamesonace on this topic. No judgements from me, and I’ll do it every now and again, but no trophies and personally, I don’t see myself killing any wild hens.
Waiting for someone to say, “If it’s legal, who cares?”
because I bet that is where the real discussion begins.
Good luck down there. I'll be heading down before too long. Probably my favorite rivers on Earth.