Robert Allen --- I think you are out of luck if you think that local fisherfolks in Southwest Washington would stand still for a stop to hatchery plants on the East Fork Lewis. But the weir or trap above Lewisville would seem to make some sense. Have you ever talked to the Fish First people about your idea?

Wild Chrome --- I know that my opinion is in the minority here, but I think you are wrong to generalize about the fighting abilities of hatchery vs wild steelhead. True there are wimpy brats, but there are also ass-kickers like our North Fork Lewis summer hatchery fish. Virtually all are in the range of 8-14 pounds and they will tear you up. We've had them nearly jump over the boat. Wonderful fighters. On the other hand, the really large wild fish (15-20+ pounders) that I have caught on the East Fork Lewis in recent years have been very poor fighters for the most part. The males in particular just kinda swim around like a big old submarine. Most do not jump at all. Generalizing in either case is probably not very useful.