WA fisher,

If you're keeping natives, you're PART of the problem. It's really as simple as that. You have no control over the tribes. You have complete control over yourself. Even given the fact that our native steelhead runs are in decline, some guys can't seem to let them go. That's why the C&R rules are put into place.

Any steelhead you kill has NO chance of spawning. Every steelhead you release has SOME chance of spawning. Are you saying that the world, and the fish, are better off if you just kill it now so it's sure not to wind up in a net? Think about what you're saying.

Once again, YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE TRIBES. It's already been to the Supreme Court, there's nowhere else to appeal it. Your fishing seasons will be long gone before the tribes are EVER required to pull their nets. For that reason alone, you should be releasing EVERY native steelhead, to better ensure your ability to fish. Otherwise you're just one contributing factor in the decline of the runs. Why not be a factor in their recovery, rather than a factor in their demise?

Using your logic, I'll draw an analogy:
Private Smith lands on the beach at Normandy. He dodges machinge-gun fire, mortar rounds, land-mines, and a bevy of German troops all gunning for him. Due to Pvt. Smith's strength, speed, and sheer luck he somehow breaks through the lines and reaches the French countryside. As he wanders past a farm-house, the French farmer (whose country has been invaded by the Germans) pokes his rifle out the window and shoots Pvt. Smith dead.

Why?

Because the farmer knows there are many German troops ahead of Private Smith, and he'll be better off dead now.

Now, does that make any sense? Is the farmer better off? Is Pvt. Smith better off?

Maybe this example isn't perfect, because the farmer probably wasn't interested in eating Pvt. Smith, but it's still close. Sure, the farmer only killed one soldier, and the Germans killed thousands, but that doesn't help our unfortunate Private.

It's not that hard to let them go. I just like fishing better than the fish itself. Now, it's time to go after the consumers of these netted native steelhead. Ending the supply hasn't seemed to work, it's time to cut the demand.

Fish on..........