I wanted to get a reminder out to steelhead anglers that plan to fish the upper Columbia River, from Wells Dam up. There is a new twist to the regulations this year that will catch a lot of people by surprise. This season selective gear rules apply to steelhead fishing in this stretch of the Columbia. In years past there has been no such rule in place. What this means is that single barbless hooks must be used, and for the first time steelhead anglers must crimp the barbs on their jigs and use a single siwash on their plugs. Another item that is important is that knotless nets must be used. Both of these are good ideas as they will help reduce the mortality rate of wild steelhead caught and released on this stretch of river. There are exceptions to the selective fishery gear rules. One is that motorized boats are allowed and so is the use of bait. The new rules this year won’t make things difficult for anglers, but many of them just aren’t aware. They got the news that steelhead season was open and they hit the water. It is important that anglers know that there are new rules in place this year and they abide by them.