If you fish for steelhead on the upper Columbia River, particularly in Wells Dam to Bridgeport area, you have probably caught some triploid rainbow trout. These fish have made their way down below Chief Joseph Dam from Rufus Woods Reservoir, and are sometimes caught on a baited jig, meant for steelhead. These fish have been released, since their adipose fin is intact. This year there is a change on triploid release. The Colville Tribe has been tagging the fish they release into Rufus Woods Reservoir. The tags, usually green and attached behind the dorsal fin, have the tribe’s phone number on them and they ask that you give them a call and give them some basic information about where and when you caught the fish. It is important that they get this information to continue with their triploid release program. Now triploid rainbow, that are tagged, may be kept below Chief Joseph Dam. If you catch a tagged triploid, I would suggest that you keep it intact, with the tag until you get home, but you are now able to keep them. This great news, triploids are fun to catch and are really great table fare, especially smoked. If you catch a triploid without a tag, though, be sure and let it go.