I would call it wishful logic. It makes sense that whatever benefits salmon growth and survival would also benefit steelhead growth and survival since they both live in the same ocean. But things are never that simple. Feeding patterns, prey base, migration routes, etc. may be different between fish species. So more productive conditions for salmon doesn't necessarily translate into more and bigger steelhead.

But the summer steelhead counts over Bonneville Dam in July and August of this year were the highest ever recorded. That's a good sign......