Rich G-
In most of Western Washington fish in that size range (20 to 24 inches?) have spawned several times; likely 2 to 4 times. Our native char can be long lived; I estimate that some of the fish in the North Puget Sound region are more than 15 years old and may have spawned as many as 10 times.

Your question about the lack of smaller fish is a good one. The first time spawners are typically less than 20 inches. When a pod of holding fish is first fished on the larger fish seem to be more agressive and are more likely to be caught first. Have notice on my local streams that there are a lower % of first time spawners than normal also. Two factors are likely contributing to this: 1) The protective regulations are resulting in more older fish (higher % of repeats), and 2) 4 and/or 5 years there likely were high flows that limited the survival of the eggs or low summer flows limiting rearing areas for juveniles either of which limit the success of that year class of spawners.

I seem to remember both conditions occurring about that time but don't remember exactly when (must be getting old!). Occassional weak year classes of char are not uncommon and should not be of major concern, especially give the abundance of the larger repeat spawners. Those larger females have several times more eggs than the smaller first time spawners.

Good to see the populations responding to the fishery closures.

Tight lines
Smalma