Gotta De-Lurk for this one.

There are several good suggestions here and I don't really care if you're a flyfisherman (or have issues with flyfishermen) or not.

There is a valid argument for a bait ban because hungry little smolt *swallow* the bait.

Flies also cause high mortality among smolt, and the primary culprit is the larger x/0 hooks that are used tearing their faces off (especially when barbed). Maybe we should also consider a "maximum size" rule for hooks as well as the barbless restriction?

Just because I'm willing to consider a bait ban in summer doesn't necessarily mean I'm some elitist flyfisher. It's something I've heard prominent members of the DFW and biologists mention as a significant cause of smolt mortality. Makes sense to consider it as runs become more and more depressed.

As for the June 15th opener, if the season ends up being as bad as they're projecting (they do redd surveys in May) then it might be something to consider as well. This isn't fly vs gear, it's just a way to protect those few spawners strong enough to make a repeat trip from needless C&R stress (unless you're *really* hungry ).

I don't like closures or restrictions anymore than the next guy. I'm just a fisherman - not a purist by any stretch of the imagination.

Thanks Spark - Good Topic!!

Brian