Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (Full Version)

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hookedonsteels -> Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 8:31:31 AM)

On Friday OCT 30, during a very frustrating day of fishing,,,,,,,I caught at least 5 smolts. I moved from the hole. NO, THEY WERE NOT STOCKED RAINBOWS OR CHUBS. What in the world is that all about. Did the Fish Commish stock them recently or what. I did hear last year that there was concern smolts trapped in deep holes with the warmer weather and low water and may not make it to the lake on Conneaut Creek. Has any one else caught any???



rollcaster -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 8:41:06 AM)

Taste better then the big ones.  [sm=bandit.gif]em.



ShutUpNFish -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 8:54:24 AM)

"SMOLTS OR CHUBS"

Well, which was it?  Seems you're not sure...



hookedonsteels -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:01:56 AM)

Thanks shutup, edited the message. Definitely smolts!!! Sorry for the confusion. Its early yet.



ShutUpNFish -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:04:08 AM)

Seems some stocking was done, but good question...why now?  Overstock perhaps....LOL



KJH807 -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 9:11:58 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: hookedonsteels

NO, THEY WERE NOT STOCKED RAINBOWS ...




a PA smolt is a stocked rainbow

does it really matter
the PFBC pollutes streams with them
its possible they hung around or they were recently stocked



DJ2007 -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:15:03 AM)

Theres a ton of little steel in trout run too. Hundreds of them. They look like there all trying to run. Don't know if there first years natural reproduction. They were all like 7-8 inches long.



DJ2007 -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:22:42 AM)

[image]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_KM6e4wzhyp4/StOV7F9X3iI/AAAAAAAAAmI/qp2AaeUprVM/s640/HPIM1239.JPG[/image]



anadromous -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:30:02 AM)

We caught a couple that were only around 5 or 6 inches. I was somewhat suprised being that smolts typically are usually a couple of inches bigger when stocked. It seems odd to stock them now but I am not in the know when it comes to erie stockings. Anyone shed a real light on this???



akitadog -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:30:39 AM)

ive been catching a few smalts since sept.



hookedonsteels -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 9:35:17 AM)

I know it doesn't matter KJH. Just never caught a smolt in the fall or heard of them stocking in the fall . Just thought I missed something. I know a stocked smolt is a rainbow. VERY VERY obviously, every stocked rainbow is not a steelhead. They just don't magically just turn into a steelhead once they hit the lake or stream in Erie county. If it were a stocked rainbow for trout season, they would have died since last March stocking or would have been a little beat up and not 5-7 inches and not that many in the same hole.



Snowbrdr420 -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:41:42 AM)

They sound like brown trout to me.

http://www.paflyfish.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=99

"The PFBC will be stocking brown trout into the tributaries of Lake Erie beginning as soon as September 29, 2009. These seven inch long trout will be fin clipped for identification purposes before being stocked the next day. Planned stocking locations are Trout Run, Presque Isle Bay, Crooked Creek, Godfrey Run, and Orchard Beach Creek."



hookedonsteels -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 9:57:36 AM)

OH dear God.......They were smolts, possibly smolts or even SMOLTS!!!!!!!



dano -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 10:14:05 AM)

If you're catching small smolts, there's a good chance it's wild.
Here's one a guy caught this past week.

[image]http://forums.fishusa.com/albumtn.aspx/mid_13393-B4CC3DF410F642579A7358C1B02ACB7C.jpg[/image]



16506fish -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 10:39:38 AM)

who cares..... u like catching steelhead dont you? where do u think they come from?



rsquared -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 10:52:37 AM)

Caught a few on Middle Walnut last Sunday evening. Also a small brown out of the same hole.



mr.fisherman -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 11:32:27 AM)

Years back I caught smolts in extreme upper Walnut in January. They were all 9-12 inches. None had spawning colors and I could not tell if male or female, so yes they were smolts. I wondered if they were naturals concidering there is lots of gravel and shade in this area. Not sure though.



spoonchucker -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 11:50:05 AM)

Some raceways overflowed during a summer storm (flood), which could account for most of them.



joebaker79 -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 12:01:29 PM)

I caught one last week that was 3.5 inches, wondered about it being wild, or just a smaller one mixed in with the rest that came out of the truck. 



hookedonsteels -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 12:15:47 PM)

Thanks Dano and others for logical, informing responses. Some people just have to joust and thats fine. Everything is for discussion. Man that would really be something if there were evidence of natural reproduction. I live near Spring Creek and to catch a native/wild trout holds extra meaning to me anyhow. YES to respond to 16506. I do enjoy catching steelheads but some for some odd reason I find no enjoyment of catching a 5-7" steelhead. Would that count towards my limit or would I need 3 for the 15" min to count as one.



anadromous -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 12:24:58 PM)

Snowbunny,
I know fetch from sick-em....the fish I caught were lil bows.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Snowbrdr420

They sound like brown trout to me.

http://www.paflyfish.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=99

"The PFBC will be stocking brown trout into the tributaries of Lake Erie beginning as soon as September 29, 2009. These seven inch long trout will be fin clipped for identification purposes before being stocked the next day. Planned stocking locations are Trout Run, Presque Isle Bay, Crooked Creek, Godfrey Run, and Orchard Beach Creek."





anadromous -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 12:26:36 PM)

Thats the size Dano...Flyfishindave and I rationalized that they may well be wild.
quote:

ORIGINAL: dano

If you're catching small smolts, there's a good chance it's wild.
Here's one a guy caught this past week.

[image]http://forums.fishusa.com/albumtn.aspx/mid_13393-B4CC3DF410F642579A7358C1B02ACB7C.jpg[/image]




indsguiz -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 12:41:34 PM)

Gentlemen,
     Remember, there is NO Natural reproduction in the Erie Tribs.  So ther is no reason not to rope every steel you catch and use it for cat food.  Those were obviously rainbow trout from , , , Canada!  Yeah that's it,  Canada!  If you look really closely you'll see the little maple leaf on their dorsal fin.



anadromous -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 1:17:09 PM)

Indy, there is a small percentage...



deetz4352 -> RE: Catching smolts (10/31/2009 1:38:58 PM)

I agree anadromous ,  If there are just a few that make it through the gauntlet and successfully spawn then there is a very small %age of natural reproduction. Then the little fry have to make through their own gauntlet just to survive themselves.  



Penn. Kev -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 1:55:28 PM)

Sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct one....


SOME SMOLTS WERE STOCKED IN THE FALL!!!!!!!!!

My understanding of the situation is that some were stocked in the fall to determine how earlier stocking of smolts impacts the return of mature fish. (Possibly better returns)

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but Elk, Walnut, etc. are not going to suddenly start churning out wild fish in any significant numbers.


That is all.



anadromous -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 6:01:55 PM)

Peter Jennings??? Thanks for the report...and no bubble busting here. We realize the tribs here are not prime spawning habitat but the notion of one or two wilds is wishful thinking.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Penn. Kev

Sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct one....


SOME SMOLTS WERE STOCKED IN THE FALL!!!!!!!!!

My understanding of the situation is that some were stocked in the fall to determine how earlier stocking of smolts impacts the return of mature fish. (Possibly better returns)

Sorry to burst your bubbles, but Elk, Walnut, etc. are not going to suddenly start churning out wild fish in any significant numbers.


That is all.



norm289 -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 7:28:19 PM)

Could be streamborn smolts, it's very possible.  It is documented that there is a very, very small amount of natural reproduction in several of the Erie tribs.



KJH807 -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 7:39:22 PM)

hatchery genetics... do not a wild steelhead make



troutslammer -> RE: Catching smolts OCT 30 WHY????? (10/31/2009 8:08:33 PM)

why wouldn't there be any natural reproduction in the tribs ? i agree with anadromous , a few probably will actually make it



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