Now that the steelhead fishing has improved on our area streams it is important that anglers take care of the fish they catch and release. There is a high ratio of wild fish being taken this year, and that is a good thing. We all want to be sure that these wild fish make it to their spawning beds in good condition. I have talked to several people who have observed anglers releasing fish in a manner that would diminish their survival. Dragging a wild fish up on the rocks is not a good thing. It is advised that anglers use a knotless net to capture and contain a fish in the water while removing a barbless hook. It is important to keep the time that the fish is exposed to cold winter temperatures at a minimum. It is also important that a fish not be fought to exhaustion. Get the wild fish in quickly and release them, while still in the water, quickly too will help get them to their spawning beds. Also, remember that sport fishing is an important management tool in the effort to recover our wild steelhead stocks. You must retain the hatchery fish you catch. This is only reason we are able to fish for steelhead, which remain on the endangered species list.