RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average?

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average?

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RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 8:09:39 PM

genieman77

Posts: 1948
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: swinger

Every year I see the same thread. This year is bigger than average. If that is true. With all the years I have seen this thread, times the ACTUAL average steelhead size. This years average size would be around 25 pounds. But in all actuality. No this year is not bigger than average. It is just average. That is all it is and all it is ever going to be. Unless you stop polluting Erie with fish, giving them more forage per fish to eat. Then the average size may go up. So next year when somebody brings this up. No,just average.

Swinger, just how many years have you fished the Eire "PA" trips?
I'm not talking Ohio fish, that typically run a pound or two heavier year after year ..."on average"

The last time I recall Pa fish being this size was last year early in the season and one other year...maybe 6-7 (?) years ago

I've been regularly fishing both sides of the border since the late '80s
I ain't a rookie, Bro and know what the "average" size is i routinely catch year after year

maybe there's just more big'uns around than "average"

..L.T.A.

(in reply to swinger)

Post #: 31

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 8:51:17 PM

spoonchucker

Posts: 7891
Status: offline

Mika,

They can, and some do, live beyond 3 years. Some ( very few ) survive the run and return to the lake, and run again as 4yr olds. Others simply never make their intitial run until their 4th year. But the overwhelming majority of fish in the streams are 3yr olds.

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Post #: 32

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 8:55:42 PM

Mikastorm

Posts: 3884
Joined: 10/18/2006
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So waht your are saying is they may come back the 4 - 5 years?

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Post #: 33

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 9:04:34 PM

spoonchucker

Posts: 7891
Status: offline

"Every year I see the same thread. This year is bigger than average."

"No this year is not bigger than average. It is just average. That is all it is and all it is ever going to be. Unless you stop polluting Erie with fish, giving them more forage per fish to eat. Then the average size may go up."

Neither statement is true ( or accurate ). I've been on this board from the beginning, and there are just as many years that the claim is that they are smaller than average. Also, the stocking numbers have been consistent, but other factors have not. The 2005 Walleye hatch was huge, creating greater competition forage. Smaller hatches in consequent years, and the decline ( harvest, and otherwise ) of the 2005 class has reduced that competition. Add in success ( or lack thereof ) of forage species reproduction, and ANY given year class of Steelhead can average 2 or more pounds heavier, or lighter than other classes in their 3rd year.

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Step Up, or Step Aside

It's no wonder mankind is messed up. The Earth is bi-polar.

The next time you say "Somebody should do something", remember that YOU are somebody.

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Post #: 34

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 9:13:08 PM

spoonchucker

Posts: 7891
Status: offline

"So waht your are saying is they may come back the 4 - 5 years?"

Yes, but very few, and C&R has very little to do with it. The harvest rate still only averages between 15-20 percent, yet you do not see large numbers of 4-5 year olds, or 12+ pounders. If you made all the streams C&R only, there might be an increase in larger, older fish. But not significant enough that you would even notice it. The forage base in the lake has a far greater impact on size, than C&R does.

_____________________________

Get Informed, Get Involved, And Make A Difference.

Step Up, or Step Aside

It's no wonder mankind is messed up. The Earth is bi-polar.

The next time you say "Somebody should do something", remember that YOU are somebody.

GL&TC

(in reply to spoonchucker)

Post #: 35

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 9:27:39 PM

Mikastorm

Posts: 3884
Joined: 10/18/2006
Status: offline

I def. agree with how they eat! But they do come back 2 years after there first spawn..
If the younger group was ate or subcome to a disease ,then all you would have are older fish.

< Message edited by Mikastorm -- 11/2/2009 7:49:48 AM >

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Post #: 36

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 10:20:29 PM

swinger

Posts: 801
Joined: 11/11/2006
Status: online

quote:

ORIGINAL: genieman77

quote:

ORIGINAL: swinger

Every year I see the same thread. This year is bigger than average. If that is true. With all the years I have seen this thread, times the ACTUAL average steelhead size. This years average size would be around 25 pounds. But in all actuality. No this year is not bigger than average. It is just average. That is all it is and all it is ever going to be. Unless you stop polluting Erie with fish, giving them more forage per fish to eat. Then the average size may go up. So next year when somebody brings this up. No,just average.

Swinger, just how many years have you fished the Eire "PA" trips?
I'm not talking Ohio fish, that typically run a pound or two heavier year after year ..."on average"

The last time I recall Pa fish being this size was last year early in the season and one other year...maybe 6-7 (?) years ago

I've been regularly fishing both sides of the border since the late '80s
I ain't a rookie, Bro and know what the "average" size is i routinely catch year after year

maybe there's just more big'uns around than "average"

..L.T.A.

Hey Guy, I am sure you have been around the block. I am sure you know what is going on. But how can you honestly start a post like this? It is called average for a reason. Get the high ones get the low ones and find the number in the middle. Every year it will be with in inch of the previous. What is the big deal? Maybe the pinners with the sacs are catching all the dumb little ones and saving the larger ones for the better guys? Ever think of that possibility? I have no proof of this but I think that is what is going on.

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Post #: 37

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 10:49:55 PM

genieman77

Posts: 1948
Status: offline

the "pinners" ???

welp, I'm as libertarian as they come, but i must admit, I'm developing a 'tude against them....

guess I'll put it this way, "I'm" certainly catching more bigger than "average" fish this season.
'coarse, if it continues through out the season, THEN all the big fish will become the "average" size for the season

but over a 20 year span, they haven't bee the "average" size I've caught

this has been an "average" post, from an "average" steelheader....

..L.T.A.

(in reply to swinger)

Post #: 38

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/1/2009 11:22:58 PM

hiclassHilbilly

Posts: 448
Joined: 1/7/2009
From: blairsville, pa
Status: online

My personal average is up over the last 2 years. I usually average 6-7 lbs per fish, but I have only caught one under 8 pounds this year. How do you explain that? I even use a scale on every fish I catch, so I know that I am not wrong on my totals.

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I get along with everyone, except those that take themselves too seriously. Seriously people, let's learn to laugh at ourselves a bit more.

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Post #: 39

RE: is it just me, or are the fish bigger than average? - 11/2/2009 11:07:53 AM

young

Posts: 89
Joined: 9/23/2009
Status: offline

OMG you take the fish out of the water?? You killer!

(in reply to hiclassHilbilly)

Post #: 40