PhatFarm,
First off welcome to the board.
Second, interesting moniker, sure there is a good story behind that.
And as far as keeping unclipped Kings in the south sound, the reason behind this thinking (i believe)is that there are no endangered stocks in the south sound as far as Chinook go. Once you get south of the Cedar River and Shilshoal, the Chinook runs are either all hatchery or they are healthy, like the Green. The Nisqually may have Wild fish left that are healthy or no wild fish, i'm not sure. Other then that all the Nooks are hatchery, also the tribal hatchery on the Nisqually does not mass mark the fry released any way. And most state hatcheries did not start mass marking Chinook till just a few years back, and I do not think that his brood year will be marke. Hope this helps and once again, welcome.

NEN