Smalma-
I agreed with most of your opinions in your post which surprised me. Either you are becoming more enlightened or I am giving in... (j.k on the last statement )

Anyways, a couple questions for 'ya.

Why would you allow a kill fishery during the period of time when the most fragile segment of our wild winter steelhead are returning. We can all agree that the early component of our wild steelhead populations are all but extinct...why allow a kill fishery on these fish but not on the healthier component of the run (Feb-Apr)?? Hell, why allow a kill fishery at all?

Secondly, you mentioned that you do not support a catch and release fishery on a population that is predicated to return below its escapement goal. So what are your opinions with the Wild Salmonid Policy that allows a C&R fishery as long as the escapement is not more then 20% less then the goal?

And what are the chances of ever passing a summer bait ban? I know many fishers would throw a fit because certain rivers are experiencing heavy winter run off during June which makes it very difficult to be successful on June hatchery summer runs without eggs or sandshrimp.

Thanks again for opening up some excellent discussion!!!