I just wanted to throw this into the mix but any river that has hatchery(s) that produce steelhead have probably eliminated most if not all of the wild fish on that particular river(s) in Washington and other states. What is a wild fish now-a-days? Hatcheries have been around for about 25 years and have produced cycle after cycle of steelies. Interbreeding different strains of fish from different rivers etc. Those wild fish that do return (some of which are wild on certain rivers and streams) have the genetics of hatchery fish or a different strain alltogether. Not only that but those that spawn naturally have most likely spawned with a hatchery fish. In fact I know of many rivers that produce steelies and dont clip the fins of some, or just plain miss them. Which brings me to another point. What is the difference between native and wild fish. I would say that a native would be a "true to strain fish" in that particular river, since who knows when. A wild fish on the other hand can be catergorized as what? An "in betweener." Most likely yes. Dont get me wrong some rivers still have substansal runs of wild fish, but I am afraid that the true native fish are long gone.

I will say this as well... hatcheries are great. They can be wonderful things when ran correctly and the people working them care about what they do. They have provided many oppurtunities on many rivers. Take the Cowlitz for example. Lots of fish return every year and the Cowlitz remains the top steelhead river in the state with some exceptionally huge metalheads. The funding, i agree is split incorrectly. It sure would be nice if more money was allotted to hatchery programs and funding would quit getting cut. Anyhow thats, thats.