'Fresh' has been used to describe Steelhead on occasion.

Can you explain what is and what isn't and does it affect the identification of the fish?

On the west coast fresh steelhead are ones that are chrome or silver. That means they were in the ocean recently and are at their best for eating. As they are in the water longer they start to get color to them and start to look more like a trout. That means they are nearing time to spawn and they lose weight and the meat just isn't as good. Sorry to say but the fish on the east coast are going to be no where near as good eat since they are never in the salt.

Sorry to say but the fish on the east coast are going to be no where near as good eat since they are never in the salt.[/quote]
I thing that a trip caught fish close to the lakes would be nickle and very yume as they do feed on fresh water krill/shrinp. I think?

I would depend on which lake I guess some are pretty dirty. Daniel has fished and eaten salmon from the east coast and they are not for eating he said. They are great for eggs though! Probably would be the same story for the steelhead.

Thus far, very helpful as I've heard both references from the east and west. I can conclude that fresh then does occur whether in salt or fresh water environments.

I'm learning that the migratory cycle can be short and long term with regards to our lakes. In some places, especially with the estuary I recently posted upon, migration may not occur until late winter or early spring thaws as the rise will finally breech inlets from the lake allowing steel to path upstream, efficiently to their historical spawning grounds. Other rivers or direct inlets invoke cycles earlier with migrations occurring at a more gradual pace.

Knowing that 'fresh' is also a quality indicator of edibility is important to me. I love to cook! So whether smoking, grilling, baking or plating sushi grade, the fish quality, when it is at its best, is important.

I'll let the coloration be a queue. The buck I just retrieved was likely a hardened steel with deep color. I will keep my next and/or first chrome as a potential edible and give feedback on freshwater edibility. A local fisherman had indicated that he wouldn't eat steelhead. I would concur given his chosen fishing location. However, I personally would contest water quality with regard to Lake Erie as it has taken great strides of improvement over the past two decades... as a lake fisherman. There are some tributaries subjected to industry that would remain questionable. Some, however, are arguably rather clean, virgin from watershed and subsequently capable of producing great results.

Your input will help me identify though. My mission, aside of catching, will be to inform of freshwater big lake quality in the near future.

Thanks, Johnny

This one was 80 miles from the salt, but fresh.

Those mythical creatures do not exist! Nice fish.

They'll smoke.

hollywood wrote:I would depend on which lake I guess some are pretty dirty. Daniel has fished and eaten salmon from the east coast and they are not for eating he said. They are great for eggs though! Probably would be the same story for the steelhead.

Wow, I had no idea, lucky we can eat ours! Hey Greg, how fast do you have to rub a limit together to get them to smoke

huh?

Greg,

Perhaps some assistance if I may.........

a human at the minimal height of 5'8 1/2" and weight of 165 lbs...wet.... must sustain a constant lineal friction of 21 fp's at a rate of 1080 LFM. If the fish is 24" in length and the local county limit is two, you will be required to maintain 7 1/2 to 9 rubs per fish per second for 2 hours per side. Relative humidity can be on the climb and any day following the effective daylight savings date will begin to catalyze the extent of the process upto and including the expiration of the summer solstice (June 22) which marks the longest day of the year.

jkozlow wrote:Greg,

Perhaps some assistance if I may.........

a human at the minimal height of 5'8 1/2" and weight of 165 lbs...wet.... must sustain a constant lineal friction of 21 fp's at a rate of 1080 LFM. If the fish is 24" in length and the local county limit is two, you will be required to maintain 7 1/2 to 9 rubs per fish per second for 2 hours per side. Relative humidity can be on the climb and any day following the effective daylight savings date will begin to catalyze the extent of the process upto and including the expiration of the summer solstice (June 22) which marks the longest day of the year.

Well now, that was justuckinfawsome there, Johnny boy!!!
One of the best comebacks I've heard in a long time!!

A.D. You had him stumped when you said limit.

sven wrote:
A.D. You had him stumped when you said limit.

No sh**!!!!

sven wrote;

One of the best comebacks I've heard in a long time!!

I'm quietly lobbying for Stalkers popularity votes!

Since the 'giveaways' have been idle for some time, I have a premonition that the next promotion will be;

"West Coast Guided Three Day River Tour for the East Coast Most Dedicated"

I will row if you fly.
We will take Sven with us, bound to be a limit of laughs!

It'sa like a plan.............. I will pack, one day air my new Dynalite kayak oars for the drift boat. Be sure to invite Dave, along with Sven, so he can test drive the oars on the drift boat in the water that is in the Umpqua in March.

Sounds like fun though. I am going to shoot for next fall to winter to visit the left coast.