GHOSTS OF STEELHEAD PAST
by Jerry Kustich
Recently I read an enlightening chapter in a book by noted fly-fishing writer Steve Raymond “The Year of the Trout” detailing the history of Northwest salmon and steelhead dating back centuries. Before the time of white settlers, the Native tribes of the region led a life of plenitude harvesting only the fish they needed to survive while expressing gratitude for the natural realm that provided their good fortune. But as settlers gradually made their way to the northwestern territories the stocks got increasing exploited for food while spawning habitat was destroyed through farming, logging, development, and dams to the point that the tribes were eventually left with little to sustain their life and culture. And despite efforts to fairly include Natives in treaties that would force them onto reservations with ample access to the fishery resource, by the early 1920s the stocks were so depleted that restrictive measures were federally mandated to help restore a fishery vitally important to the growing population of the region as well as to maintaining the culture of the local Natives. At one point during that time, however, steelhead were recognized as an important sport fish and subsequently they were prohibited from being caught and sold by commercial fisherman.
By the second half of the twentieth century Native Americans started to get restless about the fact that their original treaties were not being honored and that they were not able to harvest fish in accordance with former agreements. Thus, in the mid 1970s US District Judge George H. Boldt of Tacoma reviewed the treaties and sided with Native Americans claiming that fishing for them was a natural right while for settlers it was just a privilege. Consequently a decision by Boldt gave Native Americans the right to harvest 50% of returning fish (including steelhead) after an arbitrary escapement number was met for spawning purposes. And though non-Native commercial interests and sportsmen protested loudly, the decision is still in place to this day causing much concern as steelhead numbers continue to dwindle.
In the 80s I saw a photo hanging on the office wall of our local country doctor and avid steelhead angler Bruce Beithon. The fish in the picture was a 40” steelhead taken from Idaho’s Clearwater River. After expressing my enthusiasm for that fish and the desire to catch one on a fly rod, Doc drew up a detailed map that led to a wonderful run on the Upper Salmon River just 125 miles from Twin Bridges. So on a perfect October day in 1985 I drove to the Salmon, found the run, and caught a wild 31” hen within the first hour – a fish that had ascended six dams to get there. It was magic! I was hooked, and for decades afterward I was like a pilgrim in search of steelhead wherever they swam on the West Coast, the Great Lakes, and even Russia.
Little did I realize then the ongoing perils that West Coast steelhead were facing to survive as a species from native nets to habitat destruction to dams to sport angler harvest. After eventually getting educated while encouraging the efforts of so many dedicated fishery managers trying to properly manage the stocks from California to British Columbia, there was actually a period in the 90s and early 2000s when the steelhead population seemed to stabilize. Although there were always alarm bells of concern for this magnificent fish, through sheer tenacity they continued to hang on.
In the shadow of this troubling past, it is now disturbing to report that the 2019 returns of steelhead to the massive Columbia River system were at historically low numbers this fall. The Clearwater River was closed to fishing. Other rivers up into British Columbia reflected the same dismal trends as well. Though it is difficult to assess what additional variables may be at work, all anglers everywhere should be concerned. Although I don’t chase after them anymore, I owe steelhead a debt of gratitude. They once profoundly touched my life. And since hooking one always seemed to be a transcendental experience, I truly hope that steelhead of the future aren’t just ghosts of steelhead past living in the memories of those who once had the good fortune to be at the right place at the right time to encounter that exhilarating tug.
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