Forget the flack... very good points. For me, now that I've reached my mid 40's steelheading in the spring is rare. I love pursuing them in the fall and early winter, when they are at their prime both in fighting condition and for the table, if you wish to keep a few.
Back in my early 20's I would fish stretches of river where fish were spawning, and I'm sure pull fish off the beds whether I wanted to or not. Never again...I would have no problem with a season opener for Steelhead as late as mid-May. However, if you are fishing deep pools for dropbacks, rivermouths etc...enjoy, guys!!!! Catching a dropback bow that has recovered most of its energy, in warmer water, is alot of fun when they leap five or six times.