Over the last year year or so in our discussion regarding steelhead management and CnR regulations it has often been cited that the majority of us prefer CnR/WSR management over "bonking nates". As I recall the number cited was 61% (a super majority).

However today when looking at the creel census reports from the Quillayute

http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/creel/coastal/steelhead.htm

it struck me as odd that most folks are keeping the wild fish they are catching. The most recent check showed 30 wild fish caught of which 29 were kept. With a 1 fish limit and assuming that the fish released was not caught by someone who kept a fish it appears that only 1 out of 30 are releasing their fish.

For the season so far the checkers report 179 wild fish caught with 157 kept and 22 released. That is only a release rate of 12%. Looks like at least on the Quillayute folks are "voting" for keep seasons.

Are fish being kept because folk's freezer are not full with the normal amount of "brats"?

Are the CnR boys not fishing?

Are the "bonkers" just catching more fish?

An inquiring mind wants to know.

Tight lines
Smalma