Smalma,

If you're asking if there is a difference this year due to the poor hatchery run, then I touched on it in my last post, but missed mentioning another part when I got caught up with other stuff...

Obviously, there is a difference...and I think you and others hit on it in the first few posts.

Those who are absolutely not going to keep a wild fish aren't going to, no matter what.

Those who are going to kill any legal fish, no matter what, are going to do so.

I guess that puts the reason for the difference squarely on the shoulders of those who would like to harvest a specific amount of fish, say a couple of shelves in the freezer.

If that means ten fish, then an average, perhaps a bit above average, fisher should be able to get all of them in November through January, and have them all be hatchery fish.

This year, to get their ten fish they may have to fish into February and keep a few nates to get there.

I wouldn't call it a case of situational ethics of CnR fishers, and I wouldn't call it an increase of catch and kill fishers.

I'd call it a season that may take someone a little longer to fill their freezer, if that's their goal.

That being said, I think that by the end of April you'll find that the numbers will be more reflective of the real situation.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. Sinktip and RVB, nice to see you...haven't seen you around in a bit.

Oh, yeah, Geoduck, while I agree with a lot of your assessment, your examples are a bit lacking. The humpies and chums are pretty much UN-managed...some might say that it's their best chance for survival. Coho are heavily managed, but a tremendous hatchery return can be a problem if folks allow it to mask their view of problems with the wild components of the run. Otherwise, I agree that habitat is vital, and disappearing...and that the state certainly has a hand in that happening.