Hunting Guys,

This is apples and oranges talk there fellas. Yes, they are both fruits and may even grow on the same land and are even eaten by the same people. But the arguements are seperate as far as the analogy goes. Yes fish and waterfowl have an intertwining here in the case of the Skagit but hatchery steelhead and salmon vs wild salmon & steelies are a seperate issue. I see your point though. But if you wanted a better analogy you'd have to make a case on feeding(they don't feed in fresh H20) adult steelhead to keep them around for better fishing..... Don't you think they're/we're finally starting to figure out the inadequecies and benefits of the hatchery issue? It may be a choice of having no fishery at all or atleast for some time(waiting for native runs to come back) than not have hatchery fish and in other cases -a hatchery run has been proven to be one of the principle or secondary damaging causes of wild fish degredation. So, point is, hatcheries may end up being the only way we can have fishing seasons and especially "catch & keep" seasons. In addition don't forget hatcheries do not only augement sport fishing but also are the primary support to many commercial and tribal fishing operations. The food-on-the- table for the average American has to come from somewhere...... I'm a firm believer in promoting better and more sound land stewardship and not to have "fishing ponds" and "duck holes" unless it's for the kids!
Good Fishing, Darin