I particpate in fisheries where harvest of all or at least most fish is allowed. I will only fish if the wild season is open.


In this case WDFG is cutting it to close. They are 10-15 % over goal and trying to jump in with an intensified fishery. They can't measure run size to within 10-15 %, add in error in predicting and error in the spawner goal and it gets to risky. The Chehalis is a big river and has been depressed recently. I say let all the wild fish spawn.

I like to fish and harvest. With my limited skill, in C & R before long I have either killed or badly stressed a native. Bad feeling. If I can't eat it, I don't fish it. Thats me. Its OK if you like C & R.

Many push for C & R based on conservation. In all caps KILL FISHERY FOR WILD STEELHEAD, they try to demonize those who prefer to harvest. Do you have confidence in WDFG methods to the point you can say harvest is bad, but it is OK to hook, land, stress severely and release (hopefully still alive) a native steelhead. It sounds like allocation advocacy under the mascurade of conservation. If you don't think the biology supports harvest of fish, leave the fish alone rather than a hypocritical position that puts someone else off the river.

The C & R folks again show a sincere interest in conservation and compassion for wild fish by trying to catch out the hatchery fish that would otherwise spawn with and damage the wild fish. Is releasing hatchery fish on top of wild fish and then trying to fish them out good conservation? If hatchery fish spawning with wild fish is doing damage, I guarantee it will be better to not grow the hatchery fish in the first place.!!

I'm OK with allocation to C & R. It might be what most people want, best for the economy etc. However, don't make allocation arguements based on conservation. You will never really be able to clearly sort out and address conservation again from that point forward.

My comment to WDFG would be to close the fishery this year. Scale back hatchery programs severely. Allow wild runs to recover which they will do. Divide the basin based on allocation with some areas C & R and other for harvest.