The fighting steehead salmon.
In for a fight
Steelhead never go quietly into the net
By Brian Blomster - Bee Staff Writer Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, November 16, 2006
On a not-too-long stretch of a Northern California river, techniques varied; personalities, too. This was monotheism of many -- sometimes clashing -- denominations.
Despite the dogmatic differences, though, all agree the object of veneration is worth the liturgical conflict. Because when one gets right down to it, with steelhead fishing, it's about the fight.
Khevin Mellegers, a seasoned guide with Mad River Outfitters in Arcata, characterizes the contest between angler and steelhead as "fisticuffs."
"That's what makes it exciting," said Mellegers, who has been guiding on north state rivers for nine years. "When you hook one, they have a lot of endurance, and they'll fight you for a long time."
Often characterized as "rainbow trout on steroids," steelhead always live up to their reputation. A recent weekend drift boat trip along a popular stretch of stream in the Klamath River drainage in California's far-northwestern corner confirmed two things: Steelhead are what devotees argue are the premier freshwater fighting fish; and approaches to catching them occupy a wide swath of the angling spectrum.
