View Post

Meet the team: Jonathan Stumpf

In Meet the team, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

Lots happening ’round these parts. With our new website, we’re providing more updates and information on the priorities and campaigns of Wild Steelheaders United. We’re also relaunching our monthly newsletter, The Wild Steelheader, that will be delivered fresh to your inbox when you join us by signing the Wild Steelheaders United Credo. Our new website also includes staff bios so …

View Post

Meetings on Lower Snake Dams available via teleconference

In Idaho, Oregon, Snake River, Washington by Kyle Smith

If you are interested in weighing in on the recently released draft environmental impact statement regarding the Lower Snake and Columbia River dams, you can do so via telephone: –Days: March 18, 19, 25, 26, 31–Times: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT–Toll-free: 844-721-7241–International: 409-207-6955–Access Code: 5998146# You may also provide comments online by April 13. Trout Unlimited will provide more information on …

View Post

Cold water refuges in the Columbia River- what are they and why are they important?

In Columbia River, Idaho, Oregon, Snake River, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

After months of winter steelheading, and with spring a few days away, wet-wading and sunshine are starting to sound pretty appealing. But warmer temperatures also bring some complications for summer steelhead in the Columbia basin. Tributaries like Herman Creek, Eagle Creek, Little White Salmon, and the Deschutes River deliver cold water to the Columbia even when air temps climb. Summer …

View Post

Science Friday- Just how much diversity can one creek support? Asotin Creek provides an example

In Science Friday, Snake River, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

If only it was as simple as an adipose fin.  The presence of an adipose fin is universally recognized as the mark.  An individual with an adipose fin is, with a few exceptions, considered a wild steelhead.  On the other hand, those marked, clipped, or ad-intact fish, they are the hatchery ones. Although it is but a small mark, the …

View Post

Of chukar and steelhead in the Snake River country

In Idaho, Oregon, Snake River, Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

By Michael Gibson Nothing clears the mind like a good chukar hike. So, when the boss called for a work/chukar retreat in lower Snake River Country, I got excited. Late-season chukar in some of the best, and most rugged, chukar country the planet has to offer. About now, you are probably wondering, what’s this got to do with fish?    We’ll get to that.  Our new North Idaho …

View Post

WDFW grants permission to Cooke Aquaculture to raise triploid trout in Puget Sound

In Steelhead Files, Washington by Kyle Smith

By John McMillan, Wild Steelhead Science Director Conserving and restoring our wild steelhead runs requires a blend of habitat work, adjustments in management and angling policy, and advocacy from the angling community. As anyone who follows us here at Wild Steelheaders United knows, one of the issues we look at frequently is the impact of captive-hatched or reared fish on …

Throwback Thursday- Voluntary Beatdown Part I

In Alaska, Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

This post is part of our Throwback Thursday series and originally appeared on the now deceased blog “Voluntary Beatdown.”  Author Jason Koertge can be found on Instagram at @bacon_to_fry.  Thanks to Jason for letting WSU revive your epic work as one of the best fishing experience writers we’ve had the pleasure of reading. RIP VB.       take any …

View Post

Throwback Thursday- A Friendly Reminder: Hatchery Steelhead Are Tasty

In Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Steelhead Files, Washington by steelheaders

With summer just around the corner, the Wild Steelheaders crew is feeling a bit nostalgic.  Winter rods are packed up and summer steelhead are a ways away, and we’ve been finding ourselves daydreaming of tiny flies, drylines, baseball games, cherry pie, and some of the internet’s most prolific fishy blog posts.  In the spirit of days gone by, we’re kicking …