You’re missing the most obvious problem in this picture. Ocean productivity in general has tanked. The productivity of the Pacific Ocean is by far and without a doubt the most significant factor or variable when looking at the relationship of smolts recruiting into the adult/spawning population. This is what we have unfortunately been witnessing and probably will continue to in the future.

If ocean conditions continue to be unproductive for salmonids, then other attempts will not be successful in trying to rebuild our stocks.

There are all these complete Neanderthals on this forum that stress planting more fish to curb these recent dismal returns. Planting more will not fix the problem, it will just waste more energy and taxpayers money.

There is no guarantee that by “restoring” habitat (if even possible) equals a significant increase in escapement/harvest. It can take decades to restore habitat. The clock is ticking.....we don’t have decades in case you haven’t noticed.

By the way, how are the populations of salmonids doing on the Columbia/Snake? There have been lots of closed fisheries in the past two seasons.. Those increases in “spill” are important and very necessary but...if we we are to witness significant improvements the dams on the Columbia and Snake need to be removed. Anything less is a band aid solution.