Hatchery Fish

[Split Bamboo]

Good stuff!

I would agree with those who have said there are a lot of factors affecting fighting ability. From my experience clipped vs nate's is not a big factor. One of the greatest, most acrobatic fish I have ever caught was a little 6lb hatchery fish caught in Sept.

I would think the water temp, dissolved oxygen, and freshness of the fish would be the biggest factors. Also, I would expect where the fish spawn, (ie 3 miles from the salt, or 500 miles from the salt) would affect the fighting ability.

Regarding the purity of the gene pool. How many generations does it take for a run to develop native characteristics? I would think after a few generations with no new hatchery fish introduced, the naturally spawning hatchery fish would be a pretty hardy stock of fish.

Andrew

[TomB]

"Regarding the purity of the gene pool. How many generations does it take for a run to develop native characteristics? I would think after a few generations with no new hatchery fish introduced, the naturally spawning hatchery fish would be a pretty hardy stock of fish."

It depends how many generations of domestication selection occurred, and whether the hatchery stock was basin native or not. Ususually though what you said is NOT the case. Remember it took thousands of years for these fish to develop their specialized adaptations.

[Coach Duff]

To add a little to Curt, some of the toughest and stongest fighting steelhead (in Washington) I have been lucky enough to land have been the 3 salt hatchery fish that come back to the Sky in early June. They are big (14+), chrome bright and pissed off. If you fellas aren't out there on the first day of summer steeleheading (is it June 2nd nowadays?) you're missing a shot at a great memory. The river can be tough but these beauties are players. Tight lines boys. Coach

[Mingo]

I love catching steelhead, hatchery or wild. But once I get into the groove each year, more frequently than not I can tell the difference between a summer run Wild Steelhead and a hatchery fish a few minutes into a fight, if not from the take. Don't get me wrong, hatchery fish are great fun, but wild steelhead simply kick ass. That's why you don't want hatchery fish interbreeding and diluting the gene pool. Bonk and BBQ.

I'm using a fish basket when I grill fish lately a LOT.............keeps the nice flakes inside so they dont' fall down in my bbq and mess up my burners

bbq'd steelie or salmon with a painfully cold Asahi draft.............aaaahhhhh