GS,
It would have been a stretch indeed. I apologise if I lead you or anyone to believe such a thing. Far from it, but I think that C&R may have the potential to be used as means of monitoring certain rehabilitating runs of steelhead that are currently closed to fishing, maybe indefinately. But this could only be seriously considered if the practice continues to be legitimized by those who practice it. And this will only happen if there is a trust and understanding that comes from honest reporting and a repoire that is cultivated with the proper authorities, in this case the WDFW. Although the practice of C&R is not new to fishermen by any means, it is only fairly recently that authorities like the WDFW have begun to look favorably on the practice as part of their overall management schemes. And frankly as a group, "steelheaders" have not done nearly as much as others, like our flyflicking lake and stream fishermen, to legitimize the practice of C&R. While "native" steelhead fisheries become more prevalent with the demise of hatcheries, which is inevitable (like it or not folks), it behooves us as fisherman to be honest and work together with these folks to maximize our fishing opportunities.

I don't know whether I am confused because I do not trust or if I distrust because I am confused. But I don't think that being "disingenuous" will make matters any better. Not telling the truth may not be against the law, but it certainly doesn't make it right. The fact that there it is not "crime" is all the less excuse to have to lie. If someone has a problem with giving information then have the huevos to say "I refuse to report". Let's stop pi**ing in our own water. There is absolutely no good reason why C&R fisherman should not have as much or more integrity as "bonkers". But lying and deceiving won't make it so.