Bob R, did you contribute something to this topic? Because if you did I missed it.

Carcass, the Chambers Creek steelhead were never naturally selected. They are probably one of the better examples of inbreeding. Natural selection avoids the negative effects of inbreeding.

Obviously carrying capacity of a river includes it's estuary but I would disagree that it includes the entire ocean. Protected Birds, seals, and sea lions eat many of the fish that would count towards the carrying capacity. Again the government has interfered with natural selection here by protecting them.

Your definition of mitigation seems to be limited to dams only. Mitigation should include but not be limited to all environmental and human factors (including the significant increase in commercial catch rates). Runs that were present in the 70s were far more abundant then the ones present today. Hatchery plants should mitigate the loss have those fish also but my suggestion is not to just plant more genetically inferior fish but to work our way towards a more efficient system where we get a higher percentage of fish survival and adults returning. It really is common sense and a no-brainer as it would save money in the long-term with feed cost and staff cost along with utilities and Facilities.
Usually when people have nothing to contribute and no further argument they want to fight physically, issue insults, or intimidate. I do the same ad you do in putting my name on it in writing to the wdfw. I find that the greatest opposition to change is uneducated folks like Bob r, El poquito, and nick.

Incidentally I don't believe that you responded to the question about a hatchery successfully spawning juveniles.