I was not around in the good old days, I wish I was, but could the fact that license cost have skyrocketed have alot to do with it. Many people use to buy freshwater liceses and it was what an extra buck or two for a stealhead punch card. Just like when you could add cougar and bear to your Deer tag/hunting licese for an extra 2 to 3 bucks. I think that the less hatchery fish is a big contributtion to less people, but the cost of adding a Stealhead tag may be another part of it.

NEN