WDFW now punch the fish (steelhead) so they can keep count of how many steelhead really return to the hatchery.

For way to many years, Tacoma had gotten away and taken credit for way to many returning fish, becuase each fish in the past, which was not caught by sport fishermen, was recycled and counted every time it returned to the hatchery (many as ten times!)

That made Tacoma look realy good! But the counts on the Cowlitz were really false in the past. Now, we can see what the trout hatchery is really producing.

Tacoma will never again see these false numbers of returning steelhead adults, that at one time reached over 20,000 in numbers.

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????