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[bcguy]

Okay, so if steelhead are a searun version of a rainbow, has anyone ever caught one in the ocean?
I have never caught one in the ocean, nor has anyone else I've spoken to, some with 30+ years of fishing the coast.
Any thoughts one this one?

[Gooey]

I worked on a commercial boat and we caught 2 in our gill net over the space of 2 months.  Both were released.

They represent such a small percentage of the ocean going salmonid population that its no surprise that we catch so very few at sea.

[mastercaster]

I believe their migratory route in the ocean differs from the other salmonid so they are not usually in the same area as sports fisherman or the commercial fisherman until they come closer into shore when its time to spawn.  Because they spawn in the early spring  there isn't a whole lot of  sports fishing being done and no commercial salmon fishing being done.

Commercial chum fishing is a big part of the ongoing debate regarding the Thompson steelies and whether or not it should be closed to allow escapement .

[Sterling C]

I believe their migratory route in the ocean differs from the other salmonid so they are not usually in the same area as sports fisherman or the commercial fisherman until they come closer into shore when its time to spawn.  Because they spawn in the early spring  there isn't a whole lot of  sports fishing being done and no commercial salmon fishing being done.

Steelhead are known offshore fish. BC fish have been known to travel as far out as the coast of Kamchatka.

[Spudcote]

I know of 2 steelhead that were killed where I work in the Charlottes thinking they were coho in the past 4 years. One was 8 lbs, the other was apparently around 15 lbs. The fight was meant to be amazing too.

[Blue Heron]

One of the guides I knew in Rivers Inlet caught an 8 - 10 pound steely trolling a pink herring clip.

[firstlight]

Gary Coopers Fishing Diary had an episode with kids years back and they caught one out in the chuck.
Never seen one caught below Mission but have seen many caught above.
I think they are travelling the middle of the river and booting along with the incoming tides.

[Big Steel]

I was told that they get them below the Patello as well!!  I didn't believe it until I got one barfing the lower!!  Wasn't big, but a real nice fight and was about 7-8 lbs or so.

[FISHIN MAGICIAN]

Okay, so if steelhead are a searun version of a rainbow, has anyone ever caught one in the ocean?
I have never caught one in the ocean, nor has anyone else I've spoken to, some with 30+ years of fishing the coast.
Any thoughts one this one?

Over the years I've guided in the Charlottes, I recall having 3 to my boat. 2 of the 3 were bonked by my guests. A 10, 12, and one about 14 (released).

Fight wasn't so hot or outstanding, a Medium Heavy 10'6" Mooching Rod. They fight like a fresh Coho in the chuck---pound for pound about the same.

Every last one on Cut Plug Herring.

I also know of 1 caught locally in the chuck about 6 years ago by a charter firm. it was bonked----about 11 lbs. I think it was March.

[chris gadsden]

My dad caught one at Chemainus or Crofton many many years ago.

[DionJL]

I'm goin out on a limb here, but i remember reading the record steelhead (weight) was caught in the chuck, near alaska.

[Spudcote]

Well spotted IH8XC, I remember reading it somewhere, and a quick search revealed this little story:

After many delays, such as flying experts to Alaska's Bell Island to check scales, and all sorts of other problems, David's fish now stands as the IGFA record rainbow. David isn't impressed. As he noted, "I don't remember anything special. It took about 35 to 40 minutes to land the fish. He was still fighting when Dad netted him. He was blind in one eye. So when he swam by the boat he couldn't see the net."

Dr. White, David's father, remembers it a bit differently. He notes, "A lot of people thought we were crazy. We often fished together out of our Avon." On the day in question the whole family was aboard. Dr. White ran the outboard. David and his two brothers perched on the center seat with, as his father says, "the bare minimum of pushing, shoving and elbowing after being cooped up in a chartered Beaver (small bush plane.)" David's mother and sister huddled in the covered bow out of the spray.

As they trolled the Glory Hole off the resort, David got what Dr. White called, "the big hit." The fish ran out of current into slack water and a long slogging struggle began. David couldn't hold the fish, but when he tried to give up, his dad threatened to put David's brothers on the rod to share the glory. David held on. He'd rest one arm and reel with the other. By the time the fish hit Dr. White's net it was dark. So, when Alaskan Fish and Game weighted the huge fish at the dock, it won the salmon derby. Dr. White wanted to steak and eat the fish because it wouldn't fit into their coolers. The lodge owner convinced Dr. White that David would probably never catch a bigger salmon and suggested the fish be boxed and frozen for the taxidermist. So nobody saw the fish in daylight. After an IGFA investigation, the fish was certified as the world record Rainbow at 42 pounds, 2 ounces. Twenty years later, David still isn't impressed.

http://www.finefishing.com/1saltfish/southeast/heavyweightrecords.htm (near the bottom)

[fishingbuddha]

in the queen charlottes when i worked on a commercial troller we would get one every trip of ten days over the summer. usually on a hoochie and flasher or spoon.