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Thread: 42 inch wild Smith River Steelhead

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Sebastian, FL, USA, Earth
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    23,836

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    trout, steelhead rainbow Oncorhynchus mykiss gariderii 27 lbs 4 oz Smith River Del Norte 12/22/1976 Halley, Robert (Crescent City) Freshwater Angling Lure

    CA state record Steelhead
    Bill Kiene (Boca Grande)

    567 Barber Street
    Sebastian, Florida 32958

    Fly Fishing Travel Consultant
    Certified FFF Casting Instructor

    Email: billkiene63@gmail.com
    Cell: 530/753-5267
    Web: www.billkiene.com

    Contact me for any reason........
    ______________________________________

  2. #12
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    Mar 2013
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    livermore
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    150

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    i fish the Smith every year...what a hog!!!!

  3. #13
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    Dec 2013
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    Smaller city of trees
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    654

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    Quote Originally Posted by gitt View Post
    Bill, do you have any details to go with the photo?
    Heard via text it went 42 x 23

    That's a 28+ pound NorCal specimen!

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
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    N.E, Ca
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    50

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    I remember that week in 76. The record was broken twice, not 1 by a fly guy though. We had them surrounded a the cable hole. Many 20+ steelhead caught by the fly guys in prams that week. I believe that not too many years ago a store in arcata sponsored a dead fish contest for the Mad River. Someone brought in one in the 26lb. range and he had gutted it before bringing it for weighing.

  5. #15
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    Dec 2005
    Location
    Lodi, California
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    48

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    The guide is Mike Coopman, a Smith River regular who is based in Crescent City, I believe. I run into Mike nearly every time I drift the Smith and he is always pleasant. I did not hear what the estimated weight of the fish was, but at 42 inches, it was likely in the mid-20's, maybe a bit more. What a dandy!
    The fish was released.

  6. #16
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    Sep 2008
    Location
    Central Ca
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    356

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    Beautiful fish but as a guide he should know it is illegal to remove a wild fish from the water. Period. Plenty of ways to take the "Hero" shot and keep it wet. Putting the fish's weight on that hand will cause internal damage in a fish that heavy.
    Robert

  7. #17
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    Sep 2011
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    East Bay
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    I believe that rule doesn't apply in CA. I know its a law in OR and WA.

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    1,067

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    I believe that rule doesn't apply in CA. I know its a law in OR and WA.
    From the supplement to the regs:

    **Hatchery trout or steelhead are those showing a healed adipose fin clip (adipose fin is absent). Unless
    otherwise provided, all other trout and steelhead must be immediately released. Wild trout or steelhead
    are those not showing a healed adipose fin clip (adipose fin is present).

    This covers the Central Valley and Klamath Basin and does not include the Smith River.

    Besides, it is still not a very definitive regulation.

    I never take a steelhead out of the river (wild or hatchery) unless I intend to kill and eat it... but I use light tackle and more often than not, a really hot fish would die if I didn't spend some time reviving it prior to release so do I get cited for not immediately releasing it?

    I say, go ahead and get your hero shot... just don't place the quality of the photo as a higher priority than the quality of job you do releasing the fish...

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
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    Sacramento, Driggs
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    One can clearly see that there is a nearly steady stream of water coming off the guy's left hand in the photo. Based on that evidence, the fish had probably been out of the water for a total of less than a second when the photo was taken. I don't know why this ethical "debate" needs to happen every time someone posts a nice SH photo here and the preponderance of evidence is in their favor that the fish has been well treated. My 2c...

  10. #20
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    Aug 2012
    Location
    Santa Cruz
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    172

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    Quote Originally Posted by PV_Premier View Post
    One can clearly see that there is a nearly steady stream of water coming off the guy's left hand in the photo. Based on that evidence, the fish had probably been out of the water for a total of less than a second when the photo was taken. I don't know why this ethical "debate" needs to happen every time someone posts a nice SH photo here and the preponderance of evidence is in their favor that the fish has been well treated. My 2c...

    Because people are genuinely concerned about a dwindling resource and want to see it available for their grand kids.

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