I don't think the coho return is indicative of much this year. The chums are thick, kings were plentiful early, and I personally caught 2 summer run steelhead on a Grays Harbor trib Saturday. I saw quite a few caught In October as well. In other words, while the coho have disappointed big time, there is reason to believe winter steelhead could be good. Even if it's not great, just being allowed to fish for steelhead within an hour of home makes the winter a much happier time.

One thing definitely related to coho, though: if the wild run doesn't do better than the hatchery run has done, we'll probably be shut down in Dec.-Jan. to protect wild coho, no matter how many steelhead might show up. I hate to say it, but I think we need a good gillnetting week or two to keep things open.