Okie,

What you observed is part of a long term investigation intended to improve Skagit chinook runs. Wild chinook runs on the Skagit have been in a depressed stock status for quite a few years - last year's good escapement was unusual in the last decade or more. Hatchery chinook have never performed well in the Skagit. That is, for the number reared, the smolt to adult survival rate has been consistently poor.

While it is certainly true that those chinook that make it to the upper river are quite capable of spawning on their own without any human assistance or interference, this research project is the only way to discern the cause, or causes, of low returns for both wild and hatchery kings. Although many self-styled experts in the Skagit vicinity claim to know the causes and cures for the chinook salmon's problems, the facts don't support the various allegations. Absent factual information about what is causing poor chinook survival, it would take a stroke of luck against long odds to reverse the trend, since many less-informed attempts to improve chinook runs have been attempted without success.

The eggs from those wild chinook are incubated at the hatchery, the young fish tagged, and then reared briefly at a site near the river. They are released in the upper river to migrate with the wild fish, and sampled at the Burlington trap and in the estuary and eventually the many marine fisheries that they are caught in. This is presently the best available approach to solving the Skagit chinook productivity problems. Hope this helps and tempers your outrage.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.