Steelhead Salmon Trout Fishing Social Community by Kype Magazine

We love hearing the feedback and questions from our readers and subscribers, so please keep them coming.
    This question came in from EJ Ravago, from Gurnee, IL.

    Q. Who has better steel? Great Lakes or the West? Be honest! I won't tell....

    A. I’ve had the opportunity to fish Great Lakes tributaries, as well as many west coast steelhead rivers. In order to write this article fairly, I cannot compare the Skeena system to Steelhead Alley—I must consider all regions of the Great Lakes, and from California up through Alaska on the west, and compare various aspects of each.

Salt vs. Fresh Water

    The first and foremost difference is salt water fish, compared to fresh water fish.
     Although Lake Ontario has access to brackish/salt water, through the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes are otherwise fresh water. It is the largest fresh water system on the planet, as they hold over six quadrillion gallons of water collectively.      
    The difference in steelhead, regarding the water type, is not as apparent as one might think. Splitting hairs, yes, one may say that the fish from the salt water may have that extra little zip. However, I’ve landed 20 pound metalheads from both regions, and, to tell you the truth, both provided the fight of a lifetime. I don’t believe that after landing a 20 pound steelhead from a Great Lakes trib, anyone could say that it didn’t fight hard enough.

Stocked vs. Native

    The steelhead fisheries in both regions have their share of hatcheries. Although steelhead were introduced to the Great Lakes and are, consequently, unofficially native to these waters, again, the difference is generally unnoticeable. The Great Lakes now have a wild run, along with hatchery fish--same as the west coast.

Regulations

    The regulations tend to be more stringent on the west coast. Politics over-shadow the banks of these west coast rivers. It is baffling that there are more regulations on one fishing angler holding one fishing rod, then there are on netters who extend huge nets across the entire width of the river, leaving no passable doorways for fish to move upriver. Go Figure.

Fishing Pressure

    The Great Lakes tributaries are only a few hours drive from some of the most populated regions on the continent...New York, Chicago, and the entire surrounding area, which is home to millions of people. That, combined with the fact that the rivers are relatively short, leads to an obvious outcome: High fishing pressure.
    On the opposite side of the continent, you have a smaller population fishing much longer rivers. Don’t get me wrong--there are plenty of rivers on the west coast that are packed with anglers—and also, anglers from the east coast have the option of hiking back into secluded tributaries of untouched water. There is also the option to fish in harsh weather, where you can count on less anglers and usually more fish.
    In a sense, fishing pressure makes little difference to the more experienced angler, since the more fishing experience he or she has, the more likely they’ve tapped into some great back-stream fishing havens. Also, an experienced angler knows the in’s and out’s of fishing a river full of rods, and can therefore be successful in spite of the onslaught of obstacles—a topic worthy of an article in one of our future issues.
    Anglers new to the sport, however, usually start where the crowds are, but over time, they will begin migrating off the beaten path into their own honey holes.

Quantity

    This is a tough one. There have been days in both regions where I locked into banner days, hooking over thirty fish. There are regions of the upper west coast where the steel is so thick, the river looks like solid metal. Okay—yes—a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point—the rivers are loaded. Conversely, some Great Lakes river bottoms are wiggling with steelies--and that’s not an exaggeration.
    If I were to make a call at this moment, considering all rivers in all regions of the US, I’d have to say the Great Lakes have the edge.

Quality and Size

    West Coast takes the nod in this category, as metalheads are tipping the scales over thirty pounds!  
    This can be a problem for those of us, including me, who choose to fish light gear, which can be all fun and games until you lock into a monster, twenty-five pound buck, who can eat you alive and leave you with your backing wrapped around your head.
    Great Lakes steelies will rarely get over fifteen pounds, however, Lake Ontario will produce some bigger girth with fish exceeding twenty pounds.

Serenity    

    This is a big one in my book.
    To get out into pristine wilderness and fish God’s Country is invigorating, to say the least. Douglas firs line eight-thousand foot, snow-capped peaks, and luscious, blue-green tinted pools lay between sets of rapids. Quite the site—and only to be found out west.
    Obviously, the landscape of the Great Lakes is different, but, to give it a fair shake, there are awesome streams that cut through some beautiful terrain. As you walk through the woods of upstate New York and Pennsylvania, you are overcome with the feeling that you are in a sportsman’s paradise. There is nothing quite like a hike to a back-woods stream in this region.    

In Conclusion

    Obviously, I have mixed feelings, as, I’m sure, you do. After all, we’re talking about two gorgeous areas, both home to America’s greatest source of steelhead. But, before reaching a final conclusion on these pages, post your opinion on the Kype Facebook page. No doubt, they’ll be solid arguments on both sides of the fence, and after reading your postings, we’ll conclude the outcome in our next issue.