In 1968 steelhead (& salmon) punchcards were free with your license. In 1970 they began costing a dollar or two. Many of the cardholders never fished for steelhead, or maybe only a time or two. Steelhead punchcard sales nosedived after the (dare I say it?) Boldt decision in 1974, and have never returned to the former sales levels, due possibly to a steadily increasing price (until last year when they automatically came with the license again) and the perception at least of fewer fish to catch.

Also since 1968, there are more roads along more rivers, likely a 1,000-fold increase in boats, more leisure time, and vastly better equipment. Even if there are fewer fish overall, it is far easier to fish for them in many more places than then.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.