Native Vs Hatchery Preference POLL

[One More Cast]

I am a bit curious were this poll will land.

If you had the choice would you rather hook into, fight and land a hatchery fish or a native fish each being similar in size, weight and color? 

Here are the parameters of my question so it’s clear
•   The size/weight of the fish doesn’t matter as both fish would be similar in size.  They could both be 3 lb fish or both 20+ lb brutes. 
•   They could be either buck or hen, it doesn’t matter for this poll
•   You can be in any river that has natives and hatchery origin fish. 
•   Fishing between the mouth, the head waters or anywhere in between. 
•   You can be all alone after a very long hike or still in site of your rig. 
•   Using bait, terminal tackle, hardware, jigs, plastics, plugs, flies etc.
•   Fishing from a boat, pontoon, raft, bank or any combination 
•   Have a camera to get a picture opportunity or no camera at all.  It doesn’t matter for this poll
•   Have a tape measure or some other way to record length or girth.
•   Fishing with friends, a guide or all by yourself
•   Perfect weather and river conditions or the toughest most challenging
•   It could be your best day ever with the most hookups or one of the toughest.
•   Doesn’t matter if you have the most expensive fishing gear or some of the cheapest.
•   Doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned angler or a newbie
•   Doesn’t matter if you’re fishing for salmon, summer runs or winter runs.


DISCAIMLER - This poll is not intended to discuss the topic of
•   Legality of bonking natives
•   Morality of bonking natives
•   State of the hatchery programs
•   State of the native run sizes
•   The hatchery and natives sharing the same rivers
•   Broodstock debate
•   Mortality rates of catch and release
•   Environmental impacts to rivers, watersheds or fisheries
•   Tribal netting practices
•   Etc. etc. etc.

Obviously for the sake of this pole a very small fish and a very large fish would be very different parameters and I am not asking that.  Pound for pound and all things similar except for that extra fin what would you prefer?   I choose the hatchery fish because a large part of my enjoyment is having friends and family over to BBQ it.   

[NWRetics]

love them big summer brats 

[BradA]

I chose natives because well I'd rather not have to bonk a hatchery steelhead and deal with subpar meat to summer chinook. And yes I've killed plenty of fresh summers here on the OP and they don't compare to a fat ocean caught king.

[Smokey River]

I would have said hatchery hands down my last 2 years (first 2 years of Steelheading).
Now I would say flat down native.

First of all I don't kill many fish anymore anyways.
Secondly I would rather not want to guess whether or not if I should kill it to end my day.
I am just after a pic... so I think the big wild is more appealing.

[queets guy]

I chose nates because that way when I lose them at the beach I could care less, they're goin back anyways.  But when a brat comes off at the beach, me and my fish bonker get angry. 

[flyrod2]

very interesting.  I voted for the natives, just because they are more prone to eat a fly...............So I've read.

[Chum Man]

at the end of the day, i'm just happy to feel a tug at the end of my line any more.  everything else aside, a steelhead is a steelhead in my mind.

[NWRetics]

love them big summer brats 

but i will take them winter brats too

[cuttstosteelies]

I chose natives because well I'd rather not have to bonk a hatchery steelhead and deal with subpar meat to summer chinook. And yes I've killed plenty of fresh summers here on the OP and they don't compare to a fat ocean caught king.

I'm a big fan of ocean caught kings too.  Especially Coho from the salt.  For some reason, though, I just love the unique flavor and firm flesh of an early/mid summer steelhead...  I'm brining the last of my summer fish as I type this (including a salty king from Ucuelet!)  Good stuff...

[rvrfshr]

Seriously?

 

[Big Buck]

YOU CAN;T OUT DUE MOTHER NATURE.....

[Barbless]

That's a lot of mutually exclusive bullet points at the top of this page, but bottom line is: I LIKE TO FISH.  There is a time and a place for everything... right now I will probably be concentrating on the former mentioned morph of O. mykiss, but in a few short months.... 

[Supertrout]

I like the native fish. It's fun when you handle them nicely and see them swim away vigourously. It's a good feeling know that the fish that gave you the thrill of catching it will be able to procreate to give the same thrill to others later on. They also seem to fight more savagely.

[Bunker]

love them big summer brats 

I've got to agree with nwr. Summer hatchery fish have made for some of my most memorable days fishing. Nothing like an airborn summer run.


Bunker

[camo drifter]

Wild Idaho steelhead are some of the coolest fish around!