Chumster,

You say it’s a bummer the Cedar is closed. So what does a constructive solution look like? The native steelhead and chinook salmon (ESA listed as a threatened species) runs are in the tank, and certainly among the worst of the Puget Sound tributaries. How would a summer trout fishery benefit the steelhead run? Summer trout fisheries routinely result in the mortality of numerous steelhead and cutthroat parr and pre-smolts. I agree that the complete closure doesn’t protect chinook during the months they are not present, but I think we both know that if the river was open to fishing during September and October any adult chinook present would be at risk to poaching. And how would a large hatchery on the Cedar River benefit the long term existence of the wild steelhead and chinook populations? It seems to be that at best it would be neutral, and more likely it would further contribute to the losses of the wild steelhead and chinook. It’s easy to criticize, but what would a constructive solution look like?

Sincerely,

Salmo g.