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It took 10 minutes to carefully maneuver to this vantage point above the scenic Oregon coastal river after catching the subtle flick of a tail in water. I had retreated downstream, hidden from view behind a boulder, and made my way up the steep bank. Then, slowly and painfully, I inched my way through blackberries, downed tree branches and other forest debris until I was directly above the hole.

The faint shapes hug the edges of the submerged rocks, almost imperceptible. Crouching behind a small clump of bushes, I survey the water through polarized lenses and begin counting. A minimum of twenty chrome steelhead sit motionless in the gin-clear water below. An occasional territory grab by one sets off a burst of activity before the pecking order is re-established. The shadows come to rest around the rocks and once again disappear in the sun-dappled water.

From my vantage point, I note the exact locations where fish are holding, memorize the structure around them, and select a casting position allowing coverage of the water while concealing myself. I even pick out the best spot to land a defeated steelhead. I carefully reverse course from my fish-finding perch, approaching from downstream. Maneuvering into position behind a large boulder, I take a deep breath to fight the tightness in my chest and make the cast.  

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Steelhead

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Steelhead are the anadromous (migrating) version of rainbow trout. Rainbow trout are the "land locked" version, and remain in freshwater throughout their life. Steelhead migrate from the ocean into freshwater to spawn, and then can swim back out to the ocean again if they wish. Since steelhead are not semelparous (meaning they do not die after spawning) they are not an "official" Pacific Salmon. But, steelhead are often a favorite of local fishers for their large size and feisty attitude. Lake Washington currently has a steelhead recovery program underway to help increase the number of fish in the system. If you see a salmon, here's some tips to use to determine whether or not it's a steelhead trout...

Photos from Inland Fishes of Washington by Whitney and Wydoski, ©copyright 1979 University of Washington Press. Reprinted by permission of the University of Washington Press.

Adult Male Steelhead.

Adult Female Steelhead.

Identification Characteristics:

• Head blunt, jaw short - does not extend past the eye
• Distinct dark spots on dorsal fin
• Square-shaped tail fin with radiating pattern of spots
• Often has reddish stripe along sides, gill cover reddish
• Length up to 45 inches