CM, I know that but where is the 50/50 split in the hatchery fish between the recs and tribes when the recs have no season at all. WDFW is planting steelhead we pay for in the GH streams the the tribe can harvest (along with wild fish)while we shoulder the burden of protecting the wild fish by not fishing at all. WDFW needs to "grow a pair" and give us some semblance of a steelhead season and if the QIN doesn't like it then they (QIN) can take it to court. Otherwise WDFW is just planting fish for the tribe. to harvest.
Spoon, Two years ago I hooked three steelhead in a Grays Harbor lake and landed three two in about five or six trips. Homemade spinners. Last season I went five times and never had a strike. I think that that program of planting them in some of the lakes will be discontinued because it was so disappointing. Like you said, not very good biters.So , I don't know what WDFW will do with all the surplus fish in rivers like the Wynooche and Skook. Probably just sell them to the fish buyer like they do surplus salmon.