Russian River 12/20/06

BEAUTIFUL FISH MIKE  Is it a hatchery fish? I did not see the adipose fin.

I'm off on the 27-28-29 Let me know if you plan to do another drift 

wait a minute...I'm alittle confused (as always ) I thought if the Steelhead has an adipose fin, it's considered a native and if it's cut-off, it's considered a hatchery ......someone educate me please

Sean's buddy on the pic below has a adipose fin but was classified as a hatchery fish......Mike's fish does not have one....

Wild Steelhead have the fin.  All wild must be released except for on the Smith River.

The guy probably released the fish after the photo.

Ken kickfish

just got confirmation from "da man" - Sean mentioned both fish on the pics above ARE hatchery fish. Thanks for the info Sean

Wait a minute.  That fish has the adipose fin (Wild).  Not a hatchery.  Look at Fish & Game Regs 2006 Freshwater Sport Fishing page 21.

Ken kickfish

You need to look at the adipose clip carefully.  Many hatchery fish leave with a partial clip....remember they are doing over 100k of clips on little wiggling creatures...they aren't all perfect.  Mikes fish is a perfect clip, Josh's is a poor clip.  On a incomplete clip the adipose will be a thick, cartilaginous nub, that is blunt and stiff. 

On an unclipped fish, the adipose is tall, thin, and very flexible.  Here's a pic of a wild fish from a trap on a trib to the Russian...

OK Sean.  Bad photo.  Me Bad.

Ken kickfish

Another nubbish Russian hatchery fish...

Yeah that adipose fin is pretty weird looking and flimsy on a wild fish.

You need to look at the adipose clip carefully.  Many hatchery fish leave with a partial clip....remember they are doing over 100k of clips on little wiggling creatures...they aren't all perfect.  Mikes fish is a perfect clip, Josh's is a poor clip.  On a incomplete clip the adipose will be a thick, cartilaginous nub, that is blunt and stiff. 

On an unclipped fish, the adipose is tall, thin, and very flexible.  Here's a pic of a wild fish from a trap on a trib to the Russian...

Great fish Mike, Ill keep my eyes peeled for the hookup, you can definately count me in!
Would 20 lb braid on a calcutta work ok? How about lures and hooks, barbless right?
That pic has got me fired up big- time! What a beauty.

Don't forget your Steelhead card as well.

wow, I have to say that is a fantastic fish mickfish, great work and great photo, must have been a real blast catching one of those!

J

Mooch my fish had a nub a lot like Josh's fish but when I was trying to get him in the yak he did a gator roll and the line cut the nub it's there you just can't see it. Sometimes I can't tell for sure so I just let them go. The only thing better than catching a Steelie is watching him swim away after giving you a great battle.

Joel you are wecome anytime  next week We have had a little rain today and it looks like the river will hit 2000cfs some time tomorrow , I won't drift unless its under 1000cfs so I think the 26th will be good if we get no more rain. If we do I will be fishing fort ross, Lake Sonoma, Mendo or Black Point so there will be a lot of options.

Mike: I'm off til the 2nd...looking at the same options.  Lets play!!!

OK but if Mooch comes up he has to leave the Elf clothes at home.