The area 5&6 C&R fishery is somewhat of an experiment to see if it can be expanded into other areas. The mass marking of Chinook is far enough along to allow this. WDFW has been giving away the releasing sticks for quite awhile and has been trying to provide training wherever and whenever possible on proper release techniques. All the releasing device amounts to is a 2' piece of 3/8" wooden dowel with a brass cup hook screwed into one end. It does take some practice but is a real effective tool for releasing fish in the water unharmed.

I don't think I buy the argument that fish in the river can be taken out of the water safely and saltwater fish cannot. Sounds like the steelheaders' slant on things but maybe it is correct. Anything that promotes better stewardship of the fish by sports fishers is worth a try.