Salmonbelly-
I'd be honored to be called Salvelinus - an honorable fish - I have been called much worse.

Obsessed -
It may well be that you are on the right track. Last year the creel checks showed that the release rate was 33% in Janaury, 41% in February, and 55% in March; increasing just as you suggested. It well may be that many of us need to keep several fish before becoming comfortable with practicing CnR.

Mooch -
Regarding your concern that once waters are closed to fishing that they are never opened again. Most of our Western Washington steelhead populations are monitored measuring the numbers of wild steelhead spawning through spawning surveys. If populations rebound we have see fishing opportunities restored. In the early and mid 1980s many of the steelhead populations were managed with wild steelhead release (WSR) regulations all season. As the populations rebounded to levels above escapement goals WSR was relaxed; to the chagrin of many on this board.

You asked about the Cedar (sorry don't have Nisqually info handy). During the sea-lion predation activity at the locks the number of wild spawners fell sharply. After the problem animals were taken carry of the population numbers rebounded some but have once again fallen (like most of the Puget Sound populations). The escapements the last 3 have all been less than 50 fish (less than 40 in 2002). These are shocking low numbers. It is unlikely we'll see steelhead seasons on the Cedar until the population rebuilds to at least 10 times (likely even more are needed) the current levels.

In your last post you mentioned that "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". I Don't know how long you have been practicing CnR of wild steelhead but there have been CnR steelhead seasons in the North Puget area for 25 years (going back to 1977). I doubt that there are very many readers that have practiced total wild steelhead release for that length of a time.

Gsiegel-
I found your post(s) to be most troubling. How in the heck can we expect our managers to do a good job when anglers are actively sabotaging the system by giving false information. If they are supplied "crappy" information we are apted to get "crappy" management. As far as I'm concern if someone is giving mis-leading information (PC for lying) they have forfeited their right to complain about management actions or the results of those actions.

If you have trust issues with WDFW I suggest that you call your local region office and talk with one of the biologist. Who knows you might be surprised - one may actually engage in a conversation with you. Honest conversations and exchange of ideas often result in both parties learning something.

Tight lines
Smalma