Originally Posted By: Salmo g.
Originally Posted By: Hanker
How do the Quinault get back such good returns of hatchery Steelhead, but the State can’t seem to do the same. Why isn’t the State on the same program? I understand that the PS rivers have their own set of issues that might make any program difficult. Seems like the Quin’s or preferably the state, ought to be able to replicate their results in other coastal streams.


The fact is, we don't know that the Quinault get such good returns of hatchery steelhead because we don't know either the number of smolts released or an estimate of the number of adults that return. Without those numbers it's impossible to know if Quinault return rates are any better or worse than WDFW's. Since the Quinault is a coastal river, it probably gets a higher rate of return than Puget Sound rivers, but we have no idea if it is any better than other coastal rivers.



What we do know is that they use in Basin stock for Hatchery steelhead and it's been incredibly successful over the years. Their Hatchery personnel there really care and handpick a lot of the larger size fish for their brood. There are other rivers as well that this has been successful but some rivers not so successful. Is a whole nother can of worms of science then I'm sure Salmo can fill you in on with the disadvantages using native stock for Hatchery steelhead but in the end, I think we all just want to see more fish.
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