Thanks Smalma, can't argue with any of your thoughts on a broodstock program on the Sky system. I do think it has its place on some systems however.
Smalma, I really appreciate your participation on this BB. I don't think anybody has a better perspective on the complex problem of allocating fish here in WA. Besides your biology/fisheries knowledge, you know the dilema inside-out from the Olympia/politics/budget angle, the unfortunate Boldt case implications, and the intense passion that we sporties have for the fish. And how long have you been at in WA.....28 years?
Bob, you might as well be fishing for Yellowfin Tuna in the Pilchuck in December, the early component is long, long gone. The state began trapping the Pilchuck in the early 1920's for these magnificent native December fish. Even though it is my favorite river and I live only minutes away, I don't even wet a line until the beginning of Feb.
I think you could say the same thing about the whole Snohomish system. Until 2003 you could kill any native on the Pilchuck and most Snohomish system rivers through December. Even in the no kill years the ban did not take effect until Jan. 3rd at the earliest. December is also the month the tribes have historically harvested almost all their fish since the Boldt decision.
Catching a native fish in December on Snohomish system rivers has become impossible.
Can you say extinct?
Ike