Dead LRB's

[riflerivertroutchaser]

I have come across a few dead LRB's in the last week here on the rifle. One around 30 and one around 25. Checked them out and really couldnt find any wounds or snag marks on them. Was just wondering if anyone else has found some of the same. As for a report we still have a few salmon in the river but they are very far gone. Heard about a few steelies gettin caught and had a few sweet hits last time out. Lots of beds this year on the river where i like to fish so hopefully most of the fish got to do there thing before some dink yanked em off their beds. Good luck to everyone!

[spincaster22]

Those are some huge Lake Run Brown's, 25 and 30 lbs. That is very large.

[riflerivertroutchaser]

I meant inches guess i should have specified.:lol:

[Fishndude]

They are getting ready to spawn, or are already spawning. Fish use stored energy from their bodies to create eggs and milt, and to sustain them during their spawn - which can lasts upwards of a couple weeks if they have to migrate. That is very taxing, and while they do not necessarily die from spawning, many of them do - just like Steelhead. Also, if they are fought hard by an angler, when they are spawning, that adds a lot of stress to the fish.
But they sure do make great pictures, and the eggs make great bait. And they bite.

[ausable_steelhead]

Yup, probably just dead spawners. Male lrb's really take a beating during the spawn, as they are not timid when it comes to defending a redd. Females are very aggressive as well, and I've caught many with big ol' bite marks on them, often on the head. Those fish probably ran the river early, when there wasn't much water, which makes a tougher, rougher journey for them, especially on the rapid filled Rifle. Are you sure they were lake browns? Stream browns have been spawning for a good month and the true hogs being dominant, take the brunt of battles against many other males.

But they sure do make great pictures, and the eggs make great bait. And they bite.

Very, very well alot of times, certainly one of my favorite fish in the Great Lakes, probably second after steelhead.

[riflerivertroutchaser]

Both fish and the one i saw tonight dead up stream from the others, were still quite silver and I assumed that meant they were out of the lake. River browns dont lose their golden color after they die do they and turn silver? Had to edit to agree with the fact that they are a blast to chase! Them silver browns keep me in my waders all winter ! lol