We've been discussing that 2-salts seem to be the least present these days, which is bizarre on its face. It makes zero sense that fish that mature faster should be the least numerous contingent of an overall population. That said, the data seem to point to that conclusion. As I understand it (not all that well), the QIN programs use the biggest fish they can find. Some of those are likely repeat spawners, but most are likely just 3-4 salt fish on their first spawning return. Anyway, if fish with longer life histories are faring better than those with shorter ones, it might explain why the hatchery fish from the QIN programs are doing better than others (if still not very well). Another thing to consider is that the habitat in the Quinault and Queets drainages is the best habitat left in the state, and that might mean better returns per spawner invested...