Mr anonymous has an interesting view and has a right to his opinion(s). I personally think it should wild steelhead release year round. I also think that if the wild fish are in bad shape that we cannot and should not attempt to justify a c&r season targeted at wild steelhead. Even if the mortality is only 1 or 2% we cannot in good conscience justify a targeted season! If we are going to talk the talk we must also walk the walk. We must also face the fact that the tribes will continue to fish no matter what. They have a treaty that says so. We can though, influence the methods by which they pursue the fish by pushing selective harvest methods. As far as killing wild fish goes we need to quit bashing those that choose to engage in a legal activity. We don't have to like it but it is their right granted by possession of the fishing license. Educate folks on the importance of that fish to the gene pool and how to properly handle it. You will always catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar. We must also forget trying to push certain fishing methods over others as the appropriate way to protect the fish(fly-vs-gear etc...). All this does is push folks away. Anyone that fishes steelhead or salmon for that fact impacts the resource.

Just my opinion.

Chumkiller