Rich,
I think that you have missed my point about killing species or stocks of hatchery fish that have come down from "wild brood stock programs". Wasn't every steelhead that has ever come from our hatcheries a prodigy of a wild stock (think hard before you answer that one, and please don't side step the issue)? Many species of fish have gradually disappeared over time and that was before mankind was even here. Please explain why this was so! Do you also believe that it is wrong to keep ANY salmonid just because it was reared naturally, even those it was originally a product from the hatchery atmosphere?

So what biological facts can you tell me and this board that makes you think that steelhead is any different then the species that have already vanished? It sounds to me, like you are pretty much against any harvest (killing) of salmon or steelhead. That's fine, because it is your choice, and your opinion. But by no means is it the choice or opinion of the majority.

Obviously, the commissioners did not think the same way as you and others (come-on Todd, don't make a separate posting to address my reply!) do. Just because you and others think that catch and release is the answer and the way to go, there are twice as many fishermen out there that disagree with you! Remember, it's your own choice; no one else forces you to feel that way (it's like saying, "it's the right thing to do"). The release of all wild steelhead may be a noble one, but one that will most likely never be reached. I say this because of this simple reality;

If the "common fishing person" just takes the time to read all what has been said here and on others posting concerning this issue, they will see that there are many "pieces of the puzzle" missing. Without those pieces of the puzzle, wild steelhead recover will simply not happen! Let me just explain some of the views that people have expressed to me.

First, they ask me how possibly will "catch and release" help recover wild steelhead when the tribes continue to take the lion's share of these wild fish? I don't really want to get into the Indian thing on this issue, but these people need a real valid answer. Oh sure, I expect you or Todd, to tell me, and them, that there is nothing that we can do about that issue because it was decided by Judge Bolt and that is the end of that! People will not accept that one for an answer because it's a cop-out! So let it roll!

Secondly, and this question applies directly to "RPetzold" statement "That is a pretty ignorany (must be miss-spelled?) comment in regards to what makes it okay to kill a hatchery fish and not a wild".
Ignorant, well lets see who is "ignorant" or who is really lacking knowledge of what is really going on in our fishery resources and systems.

They ask me; why can't we keep a steelhead that comes back from the prodigy of a natural spawned "hatchery stock" steelhead, and how do we know which fish is of "wild" stock and which fish is from "hatchery stocks"? Good question. Again, let it roll!

Thirdly, and we are talking Cowlitz here, but I will bet you money that it can be applied to many other river systems. I am asked (and for good reasons); why do we have to release all unmark fish when all of them have come from "hatchery stock adults"?

Example; on the Cowlitz River, millions of unmarked fry (both salmon and steelhead) have been released into the "upper Cowlitz". Now, two, three, four years later, these same "hatchery stock" fish are now returning as unmarked (adipose fin in tack) adult fish and they are being protected from harvest because they still have their adipose fin intact. They (WDFW) supposably claim to have used "genetically close" (and it was never showed or identified that those "genetics" stocks were even from true Cowlitz stock) stocks on steelhead, but no genetic studies where ever done on the coho or Chinooks to see if they were truly the "right stocks" for recovery! So now Rich and others, when you release one on the Cowlitz, think of the possible "harm" that you may have done to restoring the true "wild" native fish. No one but the big Hydro Electric company, (Tacoma Power) will benefit from this one!

Nothing gets my hair up faster then someone calling me "ignorant" when it is really they who are the ignorant ones. Have either of you ever spent the hours that people like me and others have going through WDFW" real old records" files to see what stocks have been planted into your most sacred river that you "think" is truly of "wild stock" origin? I thing not!

I know for a fact, that numerous stocks of "wild" steelhead were brought into the Cowlitz by WDW in the early years (long before the dams). What makes you think that it was any different on your most favorite "wild" river system?

Guys, maybe the answer why our "wild stocks" are gone are looking you right in the face! Do the homework, and answer my "ignorant" questions, and then we will see why our "wild" steelhead runs may never fully recover!

Hell, why not say one more thing, it's my damn dime; "I" have had "hatchery fish" jump and fight just as hard as any "wild fish"! I do agree that most "natural raised fish" do fight harder for the most part, then "hatchery fish" do.

I got more, much more, but I better cool it down before I go their!!!

Cowlitzfisherman

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook…….. I certainly hope so on this issue!!!!