In 1988, just out of the Navy, the wife and I went to Moscow, ID for their homecoming weekend. My Brother in law was in Mechanical Engineering at U of I.
His girlfriends dad lived in Troy, ID, was retired, and an avid fisherman. When he was in Washington over the summer, I took them to Sekiu and took him salmon fishing.
He wanted to return the favor and fish the Snake for B run Clearwater Steelhead.
I grew up fishing steelhead on the Skoke, the Sky, and Snoqualmie. A two fish day was lights out, and any fish over 10 lbs, was great fish.
We hit the Snake between Asotin and Lewiston. The two of us we caught 23 fish, the smallest was around 8 lbs. All bigger then any Steelhead I had ever caught. The biggest
Was a 21.3 lb Steelie with a tag on it. I was freaking out.
I took home that and another 13 pounder.
I sent the tag in, and actually got a response from the WDFW.
My fish was from the Clearwater, was a rare four salt fish.
It had been recorded up at the Lewis River hatchery then made its way back down, and up the Snake where I caught him.
I was blown away at how many Steelhead were there. They were finning everywhere!
I could not help think, if this many Steelhead could make it up to the Clearwater past all those dams, why can’t the salmon.
