Jacob,

Well stated. Your point on how they collect data may be valid. I believe you have a strong case the way you laid it out. It will be interesting to see how they substantiate the truth on measure/counting steelhead numbers on the Green River in particular. I believe it's possible that many times, a rivers proximity to the metro area(s) is(has now become) a secondary if not primary reason for some of the early closures. -Maybe a sort of a biased general feeling in the dept. that either too many people would show up and fish C&R(-or could potentially abuse it's privileges) and in turn effect the survival rate. -Or maybe they feel that city disturbances and suburbia sprall/growth cause enough problems in steelhead survival now and adding fishermen to the mix would only serve to compound the problem to native fisheries. If any of these were the case it would be a sorry story. It would be interesting to see what their long-range forcasts and models predict for future local King County steelhead watersheds numbers and the rules/regs for fishing might be as a result.... Thanks for being a concerned fisherman citizen and taking action. Hopefully they will do us all a favor and provide you with a response. Keep us posted!!
Good Fishing, DB