Originally Posted By: stlhdr1
Originally Posted By: Steelheadman
Originally Posted By: stlhdr1
Those rivers don't need selective gear regulations, not the issue.

Get rid of the hatchery plants where there are native steelhead and the natives will thrive in time. The hatchery fish are the #1 demise of the native populations...

Just my .02...

Keith


Generally your point seems to be get rid of hatchery plants and the natives will come back. You were not specific about which runs or rivers. On the OP rivers that drain into Hood Canal they stopped planting hatchery steelhead years ago and the natives have not rebounded. Haven't seen a rebound in wild steelhead in the creeks on the Kitsap Peninsula either. We all know there are always other factors that affect this.


Be more specific to rivers..? Many Puget sound rivers still get plenty of hatchery steelhead plants. In fairness to my argument hatchery supplementation/broodstocking dates back to the late 1800's and early 1900's in most of these Puget sound rivers. I can't imagine how whacked the genetics are in these rivers. Needless to say, it's likely that little if any true genetic stock is left to fight for, but that's just an opinion.

On a side note, my goal is to not rid the rivers of hatchery fish. I just would like to see wild fish return in some solid numbers. There are tribs that can support plants and populations without question.

Keith


River specific:
The Nisqually. Has never had hatchery steelhead plants, and I can't remember how long it's been closed. Seems to have had and maintained the same declining number trends as the other So. PS rivers. Until the last few years has any sign of any recovery occurred. I have buddy that works at Centralia PUD and they trap and count them at their diversion dam.

The Puyallup, hasn't been planted since 08 ?? I think, man time flies! and has shown little sign of recovery. Has closed the last 10yrs by Dec. 31st. The Puyallup Tribe (with WDFW) does run a small supplementary hatchery program that plants a modest number of 30,000 broodstock winter steelhead on the White River system, in an effort to boost the winter steelhead population there.Those steelhead smolts are released in a tributary of the Clearwater River. Seems the White/Stuck has always sucked since I can remember from back in the 70's.

The Green, gets a measly winter plant of 10-50k and also closes by Dec. 31st. It's wild run has also struggled similarly. I think they still operate a broodstock program and not sure of it's success.

Bottom line is even though little to none hatchery steelhead plants have occurred on these rivers and all still struggle to meet escapement. I am not convinced that can't coexist.

I am convinced that certain rivers are a lost cause for recovery and should be loaded with plants to provide some recreation. Cowiltz being one. That is, if we can get them to survive. My 2cents.



Edited by RUNnGUN (12/10/20 02:42 PM)
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