Smalma,

Both a good and interesting observation, comparable to trends throughout the Puget Sound region. Clearly there is more to the status of a wild steelhead population than recreational harvests. Lots of variables influence the size of the returning adult steelhead run. Marine survival, most of all; then fry to smolt survival; egg to fry survival; then smolt to adult survival. Generally in that order. Those are variables that humans have little ability to influence, except by protecting habitat quality and quantity. The one variable we have the most control over is harvest. Once all the natural mortality factors have played themselves out, a wild run of unknown size returns to the river. Based on an uncertain estimate of the size of a run, and without really knowing with much, if any accuracy, what the spawning escapement actually should be (it varies according to management objective), a manager can choose to impart additional mortality through recreational angling.

The fact that NF Stilly runsizes have been smaller during a period of increased harvest restrictions is not a testament to the failure of of C&R regulations. It's mainly an indication that survival rates vary.

Regarding my comment above that spawning escapements, along with run sizes, vary according to management objectives. Recall that both run size and spawning escapement will be significantly lower under an MSY/MSH strategy. A maximum sustained recreation strategy with C&R takes advantage of the maximum productivity of a river ecosystem, whether the natural mortality facotors are high or low. I know of no management strategy that would yield more fishing opportunity in the long run. So it depends what you want, and clearly, not all anglers want the same thing.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.