Ceratinly a concern Smalma ... but not really the case I don't think. As you pounted out earlier this year, the harvest rates of all caught fish in the early portion of the run are very high. Most anglers consider these hatchery fish and do keep them (we treat them as wild fish) ... so I don't think we're seeing a massive influx of these fish spawning on their own, but I'm happy to see some of them that do due to the harvest placed on the runs in that timeframe.

It's funny that we often see so much concern over the brood programs from the state. Frankly, the way I look at it, if the state & tribe moved away from such a harvest-oriented fishery (especially in that timeframe), there'd likely be no need.

Beacsue of the offical state policy of counting all redds prior to March 15 as hatchery fish, it's tough to provide hard data for our early stocks, but I think regardless of the future of total C&R on these rivers, there should be little argument that it should at least be in place through February to help the early portion of the run.

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on this idea Smalma, especially in respect to one of your local streams ... the Pilchuck that has seen "decent" escapement numbers at season's end but few early returners according to a number of knowledgable anglers I know in that area.